ISBN 0571535518. Sacred.
Hail, Gladdening Light was
written at the request of
Matthew Owens for the choir of
Wells Cathedral (UK) and was
first performed at Candlemas
2006. The composer has long
been an admirer of the setting
by Charles Wood and so wanted
to create a work with a
completely different
atmosphere, particularly
focusing on mystical light.
The opening and closing
sections make use of the
Gregorian Chant for Candlemas
-- a troped setting of the
Nunc dimittis. Where these
chanted sections occur they
should be unconducted and sung
with the freedom and tempo of
plainsong. The emphasis
throughout the whole piece
should be on luminosity.
