September 10, 2020 | By Ralph Graves Dan Locklair is best known as an organist and a composer of works for his instrument. But there’s a strong correlation between writing for organ and writing for orchestra — just ask Anton Bruckner. Many contemporary choral and organ composers write tonal music, free from academic fussiness. Locklair … Read more
This attractive disc offers world-premiere recordings of four orchestral works by one of America’s most distinguished composers, Dan Locklair, composed between 2007 and 2016. In each, Locklair’s signature style, characterized by lively rhythms, succinct, engaging, and oft-repeated motives, vibrant colors in both harmony and instrumentation, and clear, well-structured forms, is crafted in new, refreshing ways. … Read more
From MusicWeb International This CD is part of Naxos’ American Classics series, and features the works of Dan Locklair who is Composer in Residence and Professor of Music at the Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. At the outset let me say that all the music presented here is tonal and makes an immediate … Read more
Dan Locklair: A Bundle of Works Inspired by and Premièred in NC Dan Locklair: Symphony No. 2, ‘America,’ Hail the Coming Day, Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, PHOENIX for orchestra. Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor, cond. (Sym. & PHOENIX), Michael Roháč, cond. (Cto for Organ), Peter Mikula, organ. Naxos 8559860 (American Classics series), © … Read more
Description: Locklair’s conservative yet appealing idiom, an offshoot of the tonal American symphonic tradition, with an emphasis on the celebratory and uplifting, is shown to good advantage in these attractive works, as it was on 09J076 more than a decade ago. The symphony draws on melodies associated with three American holidays of historical significance – … Read more
American composer Dan Locklair teaches at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. His works, many of them choral or vocal, have been widely popular, and the commercial success of this Naxos-label selection of his music demonstrates the breadth of his appeal. The titular Symphony No. 2 (“America”) is an attractive, Coplandesque work ideally suited for … Read more
From Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review Dan Locklair (b. 1949) has a pleasing way about him. There is something of a present-day Copland feel to him in his fondness for paraphrasing Americana sorts of themes at least most certainly in his Symphony No. 2 “America” (Naxos 8.559860). The program at hand is well performed and contains … Read more
From the January/February 2020 issue of Fanfare Magazine: Locklair Symphony No.2, “America”.1 Hail the Coming Day.2 Organ Concerto.3 Phoenix4 • 3Peter Mikula (org); 1, 4Kirk Trevor, 2, 3Michael Roháč, cond; Slovak Natl SO • Naxos 8.559860 (Streaming audio: 63:03) https://www.naxosmusiclibrary.com/catalogue/item.asp?cid=8.559860 When Wake Forest University composer Dan Locklair’s Second Symphony, “America,” was premiered in 2017 by … Read more
Symphony No. 2 “America”: I. Independence Day · Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor, conductor Concerto for Organ and Orchestra: I. Entrata – Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, Michael Roháč, conductor, Peter Mikula, organ soloist
Naxos American Classics releases Dan’s Symphony No. 2 “America,” along with his Hail the Coming Day, Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, and PHOENIX for orchestra.