Description
Published by MorningStar
Warm, emotive harmonies drawn from popular music idioms serve as a backdrop for this setting of the traditional tune Slane. The accompaniment is clearly designed for the piano, particularly in the second verse’s rapid scalar passages and busy figuration, yet skillful adaptation to the organ could prove highly effective. Vocally, the work is very straight-forward with a unison first verse, a four-part homophonic second verse, a third verse where voices trade turns singing the melody, and a final verse for soprano soloist with merely a few sustained chords from the choir. An abundance of added-sixth chords, non-functional seventh chords, and similar additive harmony provides a few reading surprises, yet nothing in the part writing is particularly challenging. This carefree setting would fit ensembles of all sizes and ability levels.
Jason Overall, The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, January 2025