Gardner’s ‘Lucina’ is both magical, symbolic

Just as the December chill settles in, composer-writer Kay Gardner has come up with an antidote to the prospect of a long, dark winter. With the yuletide pageant “Lucina’s Light,” which premiered Sunday at the Universalist Unitarian church in Bangor, Gardner asks us to look upon winter with new eyes, to allow the snow to wash us clean, and to be quiet, like seeds resting in the earth, so that we may be reborn in spring.

It’s a message worth listening to as we approach the shortest day of the year and head into the seemingly longest Maine months. Gardner’s music, which has elements of folk and classical traditions, makes it all seem quite magical. The piece, which is based on myths of the sun goddess Lucina, tells the story of a man who is lost deep in the forest, where he unexpectedly finds Lucina’s cottage. She invites him to sit by her hearth and eat, and to join in the village’s celebration of the longest night of the year.

Soon villagers of all ages arrive and the festivities begin. It is a night of pagan ritual that is filled with release and renewal. At the birth of the winter sun, there is new wonder and the promise of life’s cycle.

Gardner’s work, performed energetically by members of the Universalist Unitarian adult and children’s choir and directed by Stephen McLaughlin, is highly symbolic. It harks back to matriarchal cultures, but also addresses the place of both men and women in today’s society. It effectively, and quite beautifully, presents a potent female role model for a time of year traditionally featuring males. It does so with grace, inclusiveness and hope.

Churches all over the world are presenting traditional and original pieces throughout this season, and Bangor is lucky to have Gardner’s music to ponder and enjoy. Her work is completely friendly, with strikingly rhythmic melodies (including “Deck the Halls” and “The Holly and the Ivy”) that inspire dancing and communal singing. Those who took the lead singing roles — Janeen Teal as Lucina, Norm Vincent as the Old Man, and 10-year-old Ruth Hanselman as Young Lucina — gave the 30-minute production radiance and depth.

The 11-person orchestra, conducted by Gardner, also sparkled, with particularly important contributions from Cindy Brooks on percussion, Jim Higgins on clarinet, Lurene Ekwurtzel and Stephanie Kierstad on cello, and Brent Richardson on flute.