Gloria, Op. 36, No. 3

Clarence Lucas (October 19, 1866 – July 2, 1947), was a Canadian composer, lyricist, conductor, and music professor.

He was born at Six Nations Reserve, Ontario and was a student of Romain-Octave Pelletier I. He taught at the Toronto College of Music, taught in Utica, New York, and was the musical director at Wesleyan Ladies College in Hamilton, Ontario. In London, he tutored pupils in composition, proofread music for Chappel publishing, and was a correspondent and then editor for the magazine Musical Courier which he later held in New York and Paris. In Sèvres, just outside Paris, Lucas freelanced as a music transcriber, arranger, lyricist, and translator. He also contributed to Etude, a musical periodical.

Lucas composed music for voice, choir, organ, piano and orchestra. He wrote overtures, cantatas, symphonies, operas, chamber music, songs for musicals, lyrics for popular songs and art songs.

He died July 2, 1947 in Paris and is buried in Sèvres.

Gloria is third piece in "Trois Morceaux," which as published by Schott & Co. in 1900. It is very much in the style of the French "Grand Choeur," and is not intended as a "liturgical" Gloria.

The piece is dedicated: "To August Wiegand, Sydney Australia."

Wiegand (1849-1904) was the first Sydney City Organist, holding the position for over 10 years. His concerts were true crowd-pleasers, and his repertoire was very broad-based, including not only the "classic" works, but also, more "popular" works, and some famous "descriptive" pieces, such as his famous "Storm Fantasia."

The "Gloria" is brisk and bravura, containing some imitative passages, as well as fanfare-like moments. The effect is grand, and the Hereford Willis sounds particularly impressive with the "Low C" in the 32' reed!

I dedicate this to Erzahler, and ALL my good Australian friends! My best VERY wishes to each of you!

The score is attached below, as well as photo of Clarence Lucas, and one of August Wiegand.