The Splendor of God – Dan Locklair

The Splendor of God (Anthem for SATB Chorus & Organ) was commissioned in 2024 by Highland Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, NC, in celebration of the Church’s 75th anniversary, founded in 1949. Located in the well-established Ardmore neighborhood of Winston-Salem, Highland is a vibrant, close-knit, main-line Presbyterian congregation that remains deeply committed to its Christian mission through worship, Christian education, a quality program of music and outreach. The Splendor of God celebrates Highland’s ongoing service to God and to all who worship there.

Composed during summer of 2024, The Splendor of God sets an Erik Routley hymn text based on Psalm 98 entitled New Songs of Celebration Render. Erik Routley (1917-1982) was a prominent British Congregational minister, theologian, writer and one of the most important hymnologists of the 20^th century. Informing his creative words was the fact that he was also a musician and, for a number of his hymn texts, he composed his own tunes and harmonizations. Through his numerous lectures, articles and approximately 40 books, Dr. Routley’s impact on the Christian church and its music were significant. From 1975, until his sudden death in 1982, Dr. Routley brought his creativity and personal magnetism to America when he was named Professor of Church Music and Director of Chapel at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. During his eight years in America, Dr. Routley made a huge impact on a host of students and professionals alike.

Written in 1972, New Songs of Celebration Render has become one of Dr. Routley’s most popular hymn texts. In 1990, New Songs of Celebration Render was included in a collection of Erik Routley’s hymn texts and carols, entitled, OUR LIVES BE PRAISE (Hope Publishing Company). Now found in a number of Christian hymnals, it is most often set to the Louis Bourgeois-attributed tune, RENDEZ À DIEU.

My anthem, The Splendor of God, sets Erik Routley’s substantial three stanza text in through-composed fashion (meaning that, unlike a hymn, the three stanzas do not repeat the same music). The RENDEZ À DIEU tune is not used at all. For its melodic and harmonic materials, The Splendor of God is based on the first three pitches of the diatonic scale. The third scale degree, the one that makes the difference between a scale being major and minor, is used as a colorful and spiky melodic agent throughout. Beginning and ending in broad fashion, the organ plays a primary role as it alternates with the choir. The mid section of the piece – inspired by the line “…organs, set in motion…” – is fast and highly rhythmic. Together the choral and organ musical elements unite to become one with Dr. Routley’s words of praise “calling the whole world to rejoice.”

Dan Locklair
Winston-Salem, NC
7 August 2024

Duration: ca. 4’ 30”

New songs of celebration render
to God who has great wonders done;
love sits enthroned in ageless splendor;
come and adore the Mighty One.
God has made known the great salvation
which all the saints with joy confess.
God has revealed to every nation
truth and unending righteousness.

Joyfully, heartily resounding,
let every instrument and voice
peal out the praise of grace abounding,
calling the whole world to rejoice.
Trumpets and organs, set in motion
such sounds as make the heavens ring;
all things that live in earth and ocean,
sound forth the song, your praises bring.

Rivers and seas and torrents roaring,
honor the Lord with wild acclaim;
mountains and stones, look up adoring,
and find a voice to praise God’s name.
Righteous, commanding, ever glorious,
praises be sung that never cease:
just is our God, whose truth victorious
establishes the world in peace.

Erik Routley