Prima Luce

The work “Prima Luce” was written on the commission of the Holy Angels
Elementary School located in Aurora, a city in the United States of
America. The composition is dedicated to Stan Smith. The place-name
Aurora was the inspiration for writing this work. Aurora means dawn,
the phenomenon that is given musical expression by a soft opening with
dark timbres. The choral-like theme strengthens the idea of sunrise.
Prima Luce means the first light. The commissioning authority has a
Catholic foundation; therefore, the title “Prima Luce” fits the work
quite well. Catholic influences are heard throughout the music. A
Gregorian influence is clearly heard in the melodies, as well as modal
influences in the harmonization.

The beginning of the composition works toward an orchestral climax in
which the orchestra sounds like an organ. Then an energetic allegro
part follows with racy discordant notes. This fast part alludes to the
dynamic town of Aurora. In this way the composer refers to the title
because Aurora was one of the first towns with streetlights! The work
ends majestically with broad sounds in which the hymn is heard for the
last time.