Ola Gjeilo’s "Northern Lights" is a landmark of 21st-century choral literature, blending the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis with sacred Latin text. Composed in Christmas 2007 while Gjeilo was looking out from an attic window in Oslo, the piece captures a "terrible," powerful beauty that is both mesmerizing and terrifying. Compositional Background and Inspiration

Difficulty: While demanding in its harmonic precision and flexibility, its moderate technical requirements have made it popular among professional, university, and high school choirs. Text and Lyrics

The "Viking" Section

The middle section of the piece is marked by a rhythmic, driving energy. Gjeilo refers to this as the "Viking" aspect of the composition. It contrasts the floating, syrupy textures of the opening and closing. When viewing the PDF, conductors will notice distinct rhythmic patterns here that require absolute precision.

The definitive SATB sheet music (WW1447) and TTBB version (WW1764) can be purchased as a PDF download from GIA Publications Digital Music Retailers: Digital PDFs are available on Musicnotes.com Community/Study Resources:

The PDF Format: A Convenient and Accessible Way to Experience "Northern Lights"

SSAA A Cappella: A robust and demanding treble arrangement . TTBB A Cappella: An arrangement for men's chorus .

For those interested in learning more about "Northern Lights" or performing the piece, here are a few PDF resources:

The "solid story" of this PDF is that it represents a living composer's success. Gjeilo is a rare example of a modern classical artist who has managed to make a sustainable career purely through composition and performance. The official PDF—published by Walton Music—is not just paper; it is the reason composers like Gjeilo can continue to write.

Harmonic Language: The work blends classical traditions with contemporary, cinematic qualities, often using modal tonalities and rich, sustained chords to create a sense of transcendence.