for SATB and piano or harp Higgins's arrangement of Away in a manger is beautiful and delicate. The first verse is taken by unison upper voices; the second is a cappella, with a soloist (or small group) on the melody accompanied by sustained 'ooh's; and the last verse features fresh, homophonic harmonies. The piano/harp accompaniment twinkles gently around the voices, contributing towards the magical character of the arrangement.
Recenzijas
I was immediately touched by the exceptionally fine and tender setting of Away in a manger by Michael Higgins. The lilting piano or harp part floats over arpeggio figures with occasional touches of a gently placed seventh and ends with a haunting two-octave unison. [ ...] This beautifully crafted piece would work so well with young singers as well as adult choirs. * Joy Hill, Choir and Organ, August 2021 *
Michael Higgins is a pianist, composer and arranger, and Artistic Director of the professional chamber choir Sonoro. With a special interest in choral accompaniment, Michael is in demand with some of the leading choirs in the country, including the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, London Voices, and the BBC Singers. As a composer and arranger he has written for Farnham Youth Choir, the National Children's Choir of Great Britain, as well as music for television, corporate films, and commercials. Michael studied piano at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the Royal Academy of Music, London, and at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest.
