O nata lux started life as a piece written for a men’s voices Compline service at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where Lapwood (as Director of Music) was consciously trying to include music by women in every service. Upon finding there was very little music for lower voices, she decided to write something herself.

When writing the start and end of this piece, the composer had in mind the light of a candle, starting from nothing and steadily growing to a constant flame. The sound in these sectio...