Elaine Hagenberg, celebrated as one of today’s leading choral composers with music that “soars with eloquence and ingenuity” (ACDA Choral Journal), will be performing on April 13 at 2 p.m. at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. 

Renowned for her ability to seamlessly weave lush harmonic landscapes, captivating melodies and evocative piano and orchestral accompaniments, she offers a unique blend of artistic sophistication and universal appeal – creating music that resonates with conductors, performers and audiences.

One of her most notable works, “Illuminare,” composed for chorus and orchestra, has garnered international acclaim for its emotive resonance exemplifying Hagenberg’s “inspiring and uplifting … soaring and cinematic” compositional voice (Chicago Tribune).

Hagenberg has composed a new arrangement of “Illuminare” for full orchestra, which the LCPC Chancel Choir and Orchestra will premiere in a concert on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. in the LCPC sanctuary, 626 Foothill Blvd. La Cañada.  Using lesser-known sacred Latin, Greek and English texts, the piece takes the audience through a season of beauty and goodness that has been disrupted by darkness and confusion. But as light gradually returns, hope is restored, illuminating the future and guiding all in peace.  

Prior to the concert, at 1:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary, LCPC music director Jack Lantz will interview Hagenberg about her creative and compositional approach and, in particular, her inspiration for “Illuminare.” 

Other works on the concert program include “Three Pieces from Schindler’s List” by John Williams featuring Tamsen Beseke on violin, and the Choral Suite from the movie “Quo Vadis” by famed film composer Miklos Rozsa. Both works will be accompanied by video excerpts from the films. Opening the concert is a choral setting of the “Kyrie” text to Beethoven’s familiar “Moonlight Sonata,” featuring Kemp Smeal on the piano.

Admission to the concert is free. For those who cannot attend in-person, the concert and pre-concert lecture will be livestreamed. Use the following link to watch:   live.lacanadapc.org.