From Mozart to Berghain: Rosalía’s Album LUX Connects Musical Eras
Rosalía’s new album LUX is a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra, blending centuries of musical styles and emotions. It bridges the gap between classical traditions and modern sounds, reflecting how human passions have evolved over time.
Musical Evolution and Historical Context
Before the frenzy of Beatlemania, there was Lisztomania; before young people danced in nightclubs, they waltzed in beer halls and sang compelling operas. While emotions like desire and excitement remain universal, musical tastes transform. A 3/4 waltz was once the height of sensuality before the more rhythmic 4/4 beat took over for centuries.
Spiritual Depth and Inspirations in LUX
LUX explores a deeply personal spirituality for Rosalía, drawing from her Catholic background, classical philosophy, new age beliefs, Islam, and her own unique relationship with the divine. This spiritual layer enriches the album’s narrative and emotional impact.
Dialogue with Classical and Popular Music
The album was created under the baton of Daníel Bjarnason, blending orchestral grandeur with contemporary music. Philosophically and structurally, LUX echoes themes from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, centered on the tale of the infamous nobleman Don Juan.
“Questo è il fin di chi fa mal, e de’ perfidi la morte alla vita è sempre ugual.”
“This is the end of one who does evil, and for the wicked, death is like life.”
In Mozart’s opera, Don Giovanni escapes danger repeatedly until finally facing an unstoppable force that drags him to Hell. Similarly, LUX places Rosalía and her characters into moral peril, culminating in a story about the human experience that ends in death.
Author’s Summary
LUX masterfully combines classical and contemporary music to explore evolving desires and spiritual struggles, offering a profound reflection on morality and mortality.