Dan’s Angel Song (A Christmas Anthem for SATB Chorus and Organ) is part of a new Acis CD: Beneath the Incense Tree from The Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne, Christopher Watson, director.
Angel Song
The Diapason: Review of Angel Song
The Diapason published a review of Angel Song for SATB chorus and organ
Dan Locklair – Angel Song, SATB and organ, Subito Music Publishing, 91480720, $3.00 (D)
Locklair’s setting of an expressive poem by Moncure Daniel Conway is subtitled, ‘A Christmas Anthem.” The organ part; on three staves, begins with a rhythmic solo, leading to a unison choral opening on the text ‘Now let the angel song bring forth!” There are several musical effects including organ tremolos,varied dynamics for the choir (Sfz-pcresc), and repeated chords on contrasting manuals that add to the exuberant spirit of the music. The opening choral theme’ recurs several times throughout the setting, Lovely music!
Angel Song Premiered
Dan’s Angel Song was given its World Premiere on Sunday, December 21 by the Choir, Chorale and Choristers of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street in Winston Salem, North Carolina, as part of a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Angel Song (A Christmas Anthem for SATB Chorus and Organ) was the result of a 2014 commission from John and P.J. Williams in honor of the music program of St. Paul’s Episcopal and its director, Organist/Choirmaster, Dr. John Cummins. This approximately five-minute anthem is a setting of a December 1863 Christmas hymn text by Moncure Daniel Conway (1832-1907) entitled, Now Let the Angel Song Break Forth!
Dan writes, “In Angel Song I have sought to musically capture the vibrancy, pain and timeless reflections found in Rev. Conway’s expressive words.”