Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Montréal)
for SATB choir and organ
by
Dan Locklair
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Montréal) was commissioned by the Montreal Boys Choir Course in celebration of its 40th anniversary. It was premiered at the Course’s closing Evensong in Montréal at Christ Church Cathedral on 27 August 2000. The Guest Musical Director was John Scott (St. Paul’s Cathedral, London). This piece celebrates the life of Dr. Byron Harker, who served as tenor soloist at St. Matthias’ Church in Westmount and was beloved for his work with the Montreal Boys’ Choir Course over a period of 25 years.
I wish to express my warm and genuine gratitude to the committee responsible for awarding me this commission, especially to Patrick Wedd, Cynthia Hawkins and Marcel de Hêtre. It was a distinct honor to compose this new creation for this outstanding Royal School of Church Music organization and to do so as a part of the Course’s 40th anniversary.
Dan Locklair
Winston-Salem, North Carolina/USA
Autumn 1999
Duration:
Magnificat = ca. 5′
Nunc Dimittis = ca. 3′ 30″
All texts from the Book of Common Prayer (1962)*
Magnificat [The Song of Mary] (Luke 1:46-55)
My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from henceforth
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me;
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm;
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel;
As he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Nunc Dimittis [The Song of Simeon] (Luke 2:29-32)
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
* The texts of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis are taken from the Book of Common Prayer © 1962
by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Used with permission.
Total duration = ca. 8′ 30″