Composer

:

Leo Sowerby

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Average_duration

:

3:12

'Love Came Down at Christmas, H. 227' is a choral work composed by Leo Sowerby, an American composer and church musician. The piece was composed in 1953 and premiered on December 20, 1953, at the Rockefeller Chapel in Chicago, Illinois. The work is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different Christmas text. The first movement, "Love Came Down at Christmas," is a setting of a poem by Christina Rossetti. The second movement, "The Shepherds' Carol," is a setting of a traditional English carol text. The third movement, "The Three Kings," is a setting of a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The final movement, "A Christmas Carol," is a setting of a poem by G.K. Chesterton. The characteristics of 'Love Came Down at Christmas, H. 227' are reflective of Sowerby's style, which is characterized by a blend of traditional and modern elements. The work features lush harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and a richly expressive choral texture. Sowerby's use of dissonance and chromaticism adds a modern edge to the work, while his use of traditional forms and techniques gives it a timeless quality. Overall, 'Love Came Down at Christmas, H. 227' is a beautiful and moving choral work that captures the spirit of the Christmas season. Its combination of traditional and modern elements makes it a unique and compelling addition to the choral repertoire.

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