About the Work
“In Darkest Night” relates the Christmas story as a sensory experience: the cries of the baby Jesus; the warmth of his mother’s arms; the smell of the hay in the stable; the joyful sounds of the angels’ song; the taste of the world’s tears of pain and relief; and the sight of the child exiled from heaven above here on the earth below. Mary ponders these things, her son’s long-expected coming and promised future, and urges him to sleep, to rest in advance of the great work of salvation he is destined to perform on behalf of all humankind.
“In Darkest Night” is dedicated to Therees Hibbard and the St. Olaf College Manitou Singers and Judy Arthur and the Florida State University Women’s Glee Club, ensembles and musicians whom I respect and adore greatly, and was jointly premiered by both ensembles the weekend of December 5-8, 2019, at the St. Olaf Christmas Festival (accompanied by piano and the St. Olaf Orchestra strings) and FSU Seasonal Celebration (accompanied by piano). Duration: approx. 2:50.
