Luminescence

Luminescence by David Biedenbender

performed by the University of Texas at Austin Wind Symphony and Robert Carnochan on April 6, 2015.

for more information, visit: http://www.davidbiedenbender.com/lumi...

"Luminescence" is based on fragments from the melody "Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light," which was written by Johann Schop (ca. 1590–1664) and subsequently harmonized in several settings by Johann Sebastian Bach.

"Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light" was first known as “Ermuntre dich, mein schwacher Geist” (Rouse thyself, my weak spirit), and was published in Lepzig in 1641 in Johann Rist’s Himmlische Lieder (Heavenly or Celestial Songs), where the tune appeared in triple meter along with text by Rist. Johann Sebastian Bach probably found an altered version of the tune in Johann Cruger’s Praxis Pietatis Melica (1647) and subsequently harmonized it in various settings. This particular setting is from the second cantata of his Christmas Oratorio from 1737.

The original melody had a different character in its original form, as it was more closely related to Renaissance musical style. By the time Bach harmonized the tune in the 18th century, musical preferences had shifted: the rhythm of the melody was made more consistent, the tempo became slower, and the harmony and counterpoint was more complex. This setting is still sung in modern churches at Christmas and is commonly known as "Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light."