Lux Aeterna (Mansell)

This article is about the leitmotif of Requiem for a Dream. For other musical compositions called Lux Aeterna, see Lux Aeterna.
"Lux Æterna"
Composition by Clint Mansell
from the album Requiem for a Dream soundtrack
Released2000
Recorded2000
Genre21st-century classical music
Length3:54
LabelNonesuch Records
Songwriter(s)Clint Mansell
Producer(s)Kronos Quartet

Lux Æterna (Classical Latin: [ˈluːks ae̯ˈtɛrna], Ecclesiastical Latin: [ˈluks eˈterna]; "eternal light") is an orchestral composition by Clint Mansell. Performed by the Kronos Quartet, it forms a leitmotif in the 2000 film Requiem for a Dream, and is the penultimate piece in the movie's soundtrack.[1]

A re-orchestrated version of the composition, titled "Requiem for a Tower", was created for the trailer of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002.[2][3]

  1. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. (2015). The Encyclopedia of Film Composers. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 440. ISBN 9781442245501. Their second collaboration, the psychological drama Requiem for a Dream, includes in its score a string piece titled "Lux Aeterna" performed by the Kronos Quartet.
  2. ^ Greiving, Tim (2020-10-16). "Requiem For A Theme: Film Composer Clint Mansell On The Sound Of Sadness". NPR. Retrieved 2022-01-01.
  3. ^ Makalintal, Bettina (2020-10-06). "How the 'Requiem for a Dream' Song Became the Default Sound of Epic Drama". Vice. Retrieved 2022-01-01.