Notre Dame

Kira Rugen wrote “Windows to Paradise” from the observer’s perspective inside Notre Dame cathedral housing elongated and glorious stained-glass windows. Indirect light passes through the windows encircling the cathedral, casting diffused beams, manifesting numerous shades of color, and even blurring the visual distribution of light. The colors illuminate the interior of the stone structure, and occasionally the sun shines exquisitely and brightly through a single pane, allowing one to bask in the full glory of a kaleidoscope of light.
The stained glass of Notre Dame Cathedral serves the function of telling a biblical story, expressing themes on morality, or depicting religious symbolism. Kira Rugen draws upon the idea that the biblical story and religious symbolism is a call from God to raise our spirit to Him, both physically after death and metaphysically during life. The windows then become the passageway by which believers travel on their way to paradise to be at peace with God.
In Kira Rugen’s work, she initiates the piece with dovetailing harmony, which undulates in and out of consonance, symbolizing the blurred and colorful light reflected in the cathedral. The next section interweaves a soloist singing the In Paradisum chant, set in a reflective mode, with the choir’s exquisite chords. The song morphs into a section of tightly sonorous chords which represent the brilliant color of stained glass when the sun shines directly upon the windows. It ends simply, with a poignant hymn based on the In Paradisum chant, and a series of joyful chords which represent oneness with God and his ultimate ability to impart peace.

xoxo