Love of Light, an original choral setting and text by John Conahan includes references to the mysterious beauties and expansive warmth of natural light. Easily singable for high school, college, and professional level choirs, this piece is a strong concert selection for a secular performance with SATB a cappella.
With so many people writing beautiful choral music in the world today, it can sometimes be difficult to find something that sets one piece apart from another. First, this text takes you on a journey. It gives you some adventures, and we even get a little bit of counterpoint along the way. We also have the rarity of a composer setting his own text. In this case, it is unique in that the text is actually interesting–quality verse set by someone who clearly loves it.
One of the most magical moments happens at the end. John labels it “Lontano”. I think any piece with a “Lontano” section deserves attention. In this case, however, it’s the best kind of ending. The words finish, but the music still has more to say to conclude the idea. Some vestigial penumbra lingers around to allow us time to reflect on what we have collectively experienced. It’s very beautiful writing, and it deserves wider attention.
Hear it. See it. Buy John Conahan’s Love of Light on MusicSpoke!
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