Lauda Sion

  • Composer: Gyorgy Orban 
  • Cat No: EF 1860
  • Canadian Work: No
  • Duration: 3:03
  • Sample Track:

Program Notes:

Hungarian composer Gyorgy Orban is celebrated by choirs and audiences around the world for his vibrant, imaginative, and often playful compositions. Lauda Sion’s ancient text of praise is given new life in this a cappella piece in four parts.

Conductor Notes:

This incredibly vibrant, rhythmic, and joyous SSAA (div) work is typical Orban. In its opening statement, pulsating chords in the soprano voices exclaim “Lauda, lauda, lauda” while the altos, in a rich low register, deliver the entire first line of text. And so it goes through the six stanzas of text. Occasional extra beats of rest and huge dynamic contrasts abound. This is simply one of the most exciting pieces Elektra has ever sung!

References:

This lists any discs, concerts or collections where this piece is included.

Recordings

Concerts:

Text:

Lauda Sion Salvatorem

Lauda ducem et pastorem

In hymnis et canticis.

Quantum potes, tantum aude:

Quia major omni laude,

Nec laudare sufficis.

Laudis thema specialis,

Panis vivus et vitalis,

Hodie proponitur.

Quem in sacrae mensa coenae,

Turbae fratrum duodenae

Datum non ambigitur.

Sit laus plena, sit sonora,

Sit jucunda, sit decora

Mentis jubilatio.

Dies enim solemnis agitur,

In qua mensae prima recolitur

Huius institutio.

Translation:

Sion, lift up thy voice and sing:

Praise thy Savior and thy King,

Praise with hymns thy shepherd true.

All thou canst, do thou endeavour:

Yet thy praise can equal never

Such as merits thy great King.

See today before us laid

The living and life-giving Bread,

Theme for praise and joy profound.

The same which at the sacred board

Was, by our incarnate Lord,

Giv’n to His Apostles round.

Let the praise be loud and high:

Sweet and tranquil be the joy

Felt today in every breast.

On this festival divine

Which records the origin

Of the glorious Eucharist.