Listening Log – [Pt. V]-Clint Mansell- Lux Aeterna (2000) from ‘Requiem for a dream’ album (OST). (performed by Kronos Quartet)

Listening Log – [Pt. V]- Clint Mansell- Lux Aeterna (2000) from ‘Requiem for a dream’ album (OST) (performed by Kronos Quartet)

Listening Log – [Pt. V]- Clint Mansell- Lux Aeterna (2000) from ‘Requiem for a dream’ album (OST) (performed LIVE by Kronos Quartet). 4 min. Throughout May- July 2020 Listened (streaming) to youtube clip below : Kronos Quartet Lux Aeterna (Live) Jul 12, 2013 On: WMG (on behalf of Nonesuch) Performer: Kronos Quartet. String Arrangements: composer David Lang. OST Composer: Clint Mansell.

Listening Log – [Pt. V]- Clint Mansell- Lux Aeterna (2000) from ‘Requiem for a dream’ album (OST) (performed by Kronos Quartet). 4 min. Throughout May- July 2020 Listened (streaming) to youtube clip below : Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet – Lux Aeterna, from Requiem for a Dream (Video) Aug 23, 2016 Kronos Quartet On: WMG (on behalf of Nonesuch) Performer: Kronos Quartet. String Arrangements: composer David Lang. OST Composer: Clint Mansell.

I first heard ‘Lux Aeterna’ when I watched Darren Aronofsky’s 2000 film ‘Requiem for a Dream’. The soundtrack was composed by the film composer and former pop musician Clint Mansell (of Pop Will Eat Itself) and performed by the Kronos Quartet. The string arrangements for the quartet were written by composer David Lang.

I wanted to compare a live performance by the Kronos Quartet (with an electronic backing track) against the recorded OST.

The live performance starts with long sustained notes, first playing homophonically and then splintering off into two-part counterpoint. The backing track supplying an arpeggiated keyboard sound and percussive sound effects. The violins are playing one part and viola and cello play the second part. This eventually turns into a cello led melody with accompaniment. Next the violins play an ostinato pattern which very much feels like the main theme. All the while underpinned by long slow notes in viola and cello.  Cello and viola eventually join in with a second staccato ostinato theme. The rhythm becomes frenzied and ‘march like’. There is a ‘circus like’ feel, which gives a slightly mocking flavour, both menacing and a tad humorous akin to horror movie type music.

After this frenzied section there is a lyrical theme with contrapuntal elements. Eventually the violins restate the opening melody.

The OST version starts with a very low pitched and quiet keyboard pulse. Viola and cello play low counterpoint against a busier melody in the violins. There’s an underlying arpeggiated keyboard sound providing harmonic movement. The main staccato theme starts in the violins along sound effects. The composition is obviously the same as in the live version, however the overall sound on the OST is much more effected, reverberant and distant and the tempo is much slower tempo with much more prominent sound effects. The difference is that the OST sounds more polished and cinematic, but not as exciting or emotional as the live performance by the Kronos Quartet. This piece of music- ‘The Lux Aeterna Theme’ ended up licensed to many other movies, like Lord of the Rings and has become extremely popular and well known.