Morten Lauridsen is a celebrated American composer known for choral masterpieces such as O Magnum Mysterium, Les Chansons des Roses, and Nocturnes. He served as a professor of composition at the University of Southern California for many decades and received the National Medal of Arts in 2007.
Early Days
Born and raised in Colfax, Washington, Lauridsen began his career as a firefighter with the United States Forest Service before turning to music. He later entered USC’s composition program, where he honed his craft under distinguished mentors.
Fun Facts
His 1980 work Mid-Winter Songs sets five poems by Robert Graves to music. Several of his recordings earned Grammy nominations, and from 1994 to 2001 he was the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s composer‑in‑residence.
Family Life
Lauridsen is married with children; these details are inferred from public interviews that mention a supportive family environment while he balanced teaching and composing.
Collaborations With
He has worked closely with the Los Angeles Master Chorale during his residency, and his music has been performed by numerous international choirs, including the Boston Symphony Chorus and the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge.