Laude

medieval English

Laude was written during my student days at Juilliard in response to the ubiquitous required course in Music History. I was totally surprised and delighted by medieval music and particularly struck by the immediacy and humanity of the texts of 12th to 14th century song.

The original laude (I. plural of lauda), were 13th and 14th century hymns of praise whose origins are closely connected with St. Francis of Asissi. They are in many way similar to the 12th and 13th century music of the French troubadors and trouvères. The present work is set to translation of texts of that time.

Jacob Druckman

Laude was first performed in April of 1953 with Frederick Gerston, baritone, at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.

Reproduction Rights
This programme note can be reproduced free of charge in concert programmes with a credit to the composer