Lauda Sion

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!

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.