Unveil the Radiance of Splendor in Elaine Hagenberg's Illuminare

Today, we begin our journey into Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare with “Splendor,” the movement that opens this masterpiece and sets the tone for an extraordinary experience of light and divine beauty.

“Using lesser-known hymn texts steeped in beauty and hope, I wanted to create something timeless yet relevant,” shares Hagenberg.

With ”Splendor,” she celebrates divine light itself—a theme that echoes through centuries of sacred music. Imagine being in the concert hall as the music begins.

A dazzling burst of sixteenth notes from the orchestra captures the listener’s attention, representing the sudden, exultant appearance of divine light.

Hagenberg uses text by Saint Ambrose to emphasize that “God is light and therefore creates light,” meaning that all light in the world emanates from this divine source. As the choir joins in, their voices rise in jubilant praise, shimmering with radiance and energy. Listen for the unexpected key changes as different choir sections join the psalm—these shifts mirror the transformative nature of light itself.

A few elements to listen for:

• The radiant orchestral opening—how does this energetic burst make you feel?

• The choir’s powerful entry, layering harmonies that build upon the orchestra’s brilliance.

• The sudden key changes—do you hear how they add a sense of movement and transformation?

Find a quiet moment, close your eyes, and let the radiant energy of ”Splendor” lift your spirit. This movement captures the awe of divine light and sets a powerful tone for the rest of Illuminare, inviting us to feel music’s illuminating force.

We’ll be performing Illuminare in its entirety at our upcoming concert, and we’re thrilled to share these beautiful movements with you in person.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we explore the warmth and compassion of ”Caritas.”