Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen (2012) Reviews

• A documentary for all music lovers!

  characterz2012-03-02

  I had the privilege of seeing this film at the opening night of the DC Independent Film Festival, in a theatre with great acoustics. Shining Night: Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen is an exceptional, mature look at the process and circumstances that surround the mystery of great music. It is told simply and honestly, and mirrors the intention of the music it documents. Morten was in the audience for Q&A and spoke about his desire to create profound but accessible pieces; he wanted choirs with differing abilities to be able to perform his work. (He is America's most frequently performed choral composer.) In addition to the inspiring music and beautiful cinematography, the film allows a personal entrance into the life of Lauridsen; it takes us to his home in the San Juan Islands, where there are no phones or electricity; where Morten cut a western facing window into the wall with his chainsaw. It listens to his conversations with students, hears his opinions on poetry and musical influences, and sees him engage with choirs around the world. This documentary is for anyone who loves music or portrait documentaries. In many ways it is a meditation on life, and its success comes when you find yourself reflecting on the people closest to you. Congratulations on an excellent first film! And thank you Morten for sharing your process with us.

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• A revolutionary film about beauty

  maestroweston2012-05-06

  Viewing 'Shining Night' was a life-changing experience for my choirs and our audience. Michael Stillwater has captured the essence of Lauridsen's genius in a film that reminds us of what defines beauty. 'Shining Night' is sure to inspire a generation of choral musicians and audiences alike. Hopefully this will only be the beginning of Stillwater's films to document the greatness of American choral music. The choirs used in this film represent some of the finest singers on the planet. The interpretations are highly expressive and musical, and the sound of the choirs is appropriate for the composer. I truly appreciate the variety of the choirs utilized for the film, and the insight given by the conductors and singers in the interviews add to the overall effect. The cinematography is exquisite. Lauridsen's home is artfully represented and the beauty of the island and the simplicity of Lauridsen's life draws a close parallel to the power of his music. 'Shining Night' most closely comes toward defining beauty as any film that I've experienced.

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• This film is simply sublime

  healthcoach2012-02-20

  It is hard to put into words what I experienced in this film. (that is why we have music after all). There are so many levels of excellence here. First of all, this first time filmmaker has made a lovely documentary. It has the qualities one looks for in a documentary. He allows us to get to know his subject, informing and inspiring us. But the style of filmmaking is a work of art comparable to the artistry of Morten Lauridsen. The film feels like a symphony, weaving in and out of musical/visual motifs. This is perhaps not surprising, because the Michael Stillwater is a talented musical composer in his own right, which is why I was first drawn to the film. And maybe it took another musician to bring the enchanting music of Mr. Lauridsen into a visual work of art. Morten Lauridsen is one of America's treasures. The Wall St. Journal called him the "best composer you've never heard of" and describes his music as "radiantly beautiful". He has been described as a mystic, but the film shows him also as a man, a nature lover, an artist, a teacher, conductor, performer, and lover of poetry, art, and all things beautiful. This music, that if I had to find words describe, I would use, mystical, transcendent, romantic, sumptuous, moving, even inspiring, is interwoven in the film with pictures of the life of Mr. Lauridsen, many interviews with him and other musicians. There are beautiful shots of Scotland and his stark home on a tiny island off the coast of Washington, where he lives for the half of the year that he is not teaching at USC. I always find it fascinating to watch documentaries about artists. I am a musician, and getting a little bit inside the head of a creative genius is always inspiring to me. I was lucky enough to see a screening of the film which preceded a concert of Lauridsen's music sung by the USC Chamber singers and accompanied on two songs by the composer on the piano. I was left speechless for days, swimming in the ecstasy of the kind of music that you are sure comes from angelic realms. If you have an opportunity to hear Mr Lauridsen's music performed live, do indeed rush to do so. But don't miss out on the experience of this film. It will allow you to bathe all of your senses in a work of art, and learn about a really fascinating genius composer at the same time.

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• "Stunningly Meditative"

  info-343-944652012-04-13

  I just finished watching Shining Night: A Portrait Morten Lauridsen. WOW! This is a beautiful film by director Michael Stillwater. Stillwater has truly created a very special film! With his lens he pairs the natural beauty of the landscape with the tranquility and peace of Lauridsen's music. Early in the film we are taken from Waldron Island, one of the San Juan Islands, and transitioned away from a natural settings of beauty and stillness, to the stunning grand stone architecture of cathedrals. Stillwater makes this transition while maintaining the true softness this film needs and deserves. For me, his use of stain glass windows and sculpture helps create a transition that works. I also liked the opportunity to listening to Lauridsen speaking over his music. I found his voice and his music together stunningly meditative. This film will resonate with many - not just those who are already Lauridsen fans. The film is accessible, informative and best of all beautiful to watch and of course beautiful to listen to. Krista English, Director of ReFrame Film Festival

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• Soulfully Inspiring

  amyberrymusic2012-03-03

  It was such a pleasure to meet both Morten and Michael at St. Patrick's, see a choir perform his music, live, followed by the viewing of Michael's film at the DC Independent Film Festival. Inspired, moved, and soulfully touched, doesn't begin to capture what the audience and all experienced at the showing. The previous reviews captured some great perspective of what was shared and I echo their gratitude. This documentary is most definitely shared from the heart, passion, and soul, which was very evident and experienced by the audience. Absolutely worth the time to see, experience in your own relevant way, and I look forward to more of Michael's works that I know will be authentically captured. Thank you.

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