Dan Locklair (b. 1949) has had three previous appearances on Convivium, most recently his very powerful and moving Requiem (CR070).

This latest selection features a number of recent a cappella works and further cements his reputation as a choral composer on both sides of the Atlantic.

The title work, which opens the disc, is a joyful Christmas celebration with brass, percussion and organ, rather in Flor Peeters’s image. Three Christmas Motets, especially the rapt O magnum mysterium are worthy additions to the catalogue, as is Dona nobis pacem.

The triumphal mood returns with the eloquent anthem The Lord is My Light, notable for its splendid organ part. I especially liked the medieval flavour of The Texture of Creation with brass, percussion and organ.

Locklair writes very effectively for this combination and the triumphal pieces really stand out on the album. He has very persuasive advocates in the Royal Holloway choir, whose committed singing gives added punch, and this alone is sufficient to merit a recommendation.

There are excellent sleeve notes and full texts of all the pieces, and the recording, made in two different churches, is of very high quality.