O Nata Lux

When composing O Nata Lux, I evoked the unwavering quality of the light of Christ by expressing musically the colors I associated with the text. I perceive these colors because I have synesthesiathe connection between different senses, particularly hearing and sight. The works central image is the glow of Christs light expressed as the sun gleaming through trees. The altos open the work singing the word Lux on a sustained G, which to me has a soft, brownish-gold light. Other voices join with descending stepwise motives, representing light slowly flickering through the trees. At the works climax, on the text Jesu redemptor saeculi, or Jesus, redeemer of the world, I expressed the bright colors of that text through the melodic line in the sopranos and tenors, which features a high G-sharpa shimmering gold lightimmediately resolving upward to an A. The melodic line settles on an E Major chord on saeculi, which emits a bright orange-red light. The flickering light of the opening returns in various voices, coalescing on a D Major chord on lumine, ending the work with a soft yellow glow.