Lux Aurumque (Band Version) By Eric Whitacre

"Lux Aurumque" is one of Eric Whitacre's most popular works for chorus, but this concert band variation is just as gorgeous. Transcribed from the original work by the composer himself, this incredible piece of music uses simple yet elegant chords to produce a shimmering, beautiful melody. Performed by the UNLV Wind Orchestra :-)

[KingNocturne]

The notes themselves are not meant to be difficult. It's the players ability to play it musically that makes this piece so wonderful. You have to have emotion behind every note you play, while also keeping the intonation as close to perfect as possible. Any band can read this piece, but not every band can play it.

[samuelvillicana]

this piece is really cool even though i don't play in it.

~~~ A Percussionist.

[geenapanetta]

I remember playing this for band and I swear, every single time, I got chills. Nothing compares to listening live.

[SamHackenson]

Played this freshman year, I'm now a junior. Looking back, everyone hated this song because it wasn't fast and exciting. But it really helped me fall in love with band and the feeling music can fill your heart with.

[adamgiard]

Beautiful song for a percussionist to sit and listen to

[Theguy.fromthething]

Christ almighty... this still remains the absolute best use of dissonance I've ever heard.

[InkIdiot]

Hello 2023-2024 PHS band kids coming back here for nostalgia.

[ektopset]

2:26 when all the parts mix GAHH HEAVENLY

[jessebeck]

We performed this as a ballad in our marching show my freshman year. God I miss it.


-A Saxophone player

[turqoisturtle]

Im playing this in band rn, this is my senior year. Im glad to go out with this one, its so good. I just feel generally happier and more at peace after playing this piece, its so emotional. I play trumpet and when i come in i can feel the emotion pouring into and out of the instruments, its genuinely beautiful

[jaceng]

My high school's college level band played this piece along with Holst's First Suite in Eb for festival. We put in 5 months on these two pieces alone. Almost 200 hours on these. And it has been my most powerful high school experience. Just the chills and tears and all the emotions that came with these two have put an everlasting impact on me and my fellow band mates. A close friend was our single euphonium player. He covered every solo and every part he could in both pieces. He has now switched to majoring in conducting at a music school from wanting to be a social studies teacher. Music changes people.
When I was working on these I was going through a really tough part of my life so far. A lot of medical issues as well as emotional and family. And this music would just take it all away for a while. This music has helped me a lot personally and it will always hold a spot in my heart. Every time I hear either of them it brings back the hours of work and the feelings of everything I worked through.
I don't think Ill ever forget the experience that this music has left me with, nor will the other students who did this with me.

[brianbaumgarn]

I am getting old, but playing music like Whitacre writes would be a gas. One of his things is the listening, playing in tune with yourself and every measure of the experience of playing stuff like this people....

[katelynbauer]

I like this version more than the choral version.

[aidanwatson]

So good, I just can't even handle it. I play trumpet, and even though I have a small part in this song, it's still amazing to listen to it and soak up its beauty. Honestly this is a masterpiece.

[vicf]

This piece is by far my favorite song in band. While the notes and rythms are simple, the song itself holds such emotion, especially at the climax

[Fairfieldindian]

Played this at my final concert and I cried so hard after we finished. Such a moving piece. I love the lines this piece can draw and how its so symbolic. I love it

[lucasfeng]

72 dislikes are the percussion who sat out during this piece

[adama]

Wow this takes me back to freshman year wind ensemble

[allisonmenegoni]

Fly to Paradise… I can hear it nestled in there from 2:20 - 2:25! Never noticed this with the choral arrangement. Wow! Beeee-ootiful. 

[haroonkhaliqi]

Beautiful piece, nothing better than to play it live, and even better in the amazing Carnegie Hall in New York