NEW Organ Publications Thursday, February 06, 2020
recommended by Caryn G. and Judy S., Sacred Keyboard Music Specialists
A Book of Liturgical Postludes by Franklin D. Ashdown
Franklin Ashdown’s exciting collection contains a postlude for every season of the church year. The postludes for Advent through Easter are each based on a familiar hymn of the season, and the book concludes with two original works for Ascension Day and Pentecost. No matter the season, the works are all celebratory in character and are intended to send the congregation forth into the world with joy and a sense of affirmative purpose. Titles include: “Advent March on Wachet Auf,” “Recessional on Lift Up Your Heads,” “Recessional on Rejoice Rejoice Believers,” “Processional on Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Epiphany March on Salzburg,” “Lenten Recessional on Llangloffan,” “Trumpet Tune-Recessional on St. Theodulph,” “Fanfare-Recessionalon Llanfair,” “Sortie for Ascension Day,” and “Pentecost Recessional.”
Fanfares, Trumpet Tunes, and Toccatas by Craig A. Penfield
Fanfares, trumpet tunes, and toccatas have long been three of the church organist’s favorite musical forms! In this collection, Craig A. Penfield has provided three of each, including both hymn-based and original works. While postludes are likely to be the primary use for most of these pieces, some of the compositions are also suitable as preludes or offertories. Titles include: “Premiere Fanfare,” “Fanfare Fantasia on Duke Street,” “Fanfare Joyeux,” “Trumpet Tune on Royal Oak,” “Trumpet Tune in C Major,” “Trompette Melodious,” “Gigue Toccata,” “Toccata on St. Anne,” and “Toccata Francaise.”
Festive Hymn Tune Variations, Volume 2 arr. Jason D. Payne
This much-anticipated second volume of Payne’s “Festive Hymn Tune Harmonizations” includes a broad range of popular and well-loved hymn tunes. Introductions to several of these same hymns can be found in the composer’s “Dynamic Hymn Introductions,” Volume 1 and Volume 2. Each tune is presented first with the standard hymnal harmonization followed by a second ending with a modulation and free harmonization for the final verse. These exciting settings are sure to inspire your congregation’s singing. Hymn tunes include: AURELIA, BRADBURY, CRUSADER’S HYMN, DIADEM, FOUNDATION, HYFRYDOL, IRBY, ITALIAN HYMN, KINGSFOLD, LAUDA ANIMA, MY SAVIOR’S LOVE, OLD HUNDREDTH, SINE NOMINE, SOLID ROCK, ST. ANNE, ST. DENIO, ST. GEORGE’S WINDSOR, ST. THEODULP, TERRA BEATA, and VENI EMMANUEL.
The Oxford Book of Funeral and Memorial Music for Organ
“The Oxford Book of Funeral and Memorial Music for Organ” is a collection of practical repertoire for organists playing at funerals, memorial services, and services of thanksgiving. Covering a broad range of music for players of intermediate ability, it includes a mixture of established repertoire, attractive new arrangements of well-known works, and newly commissioned pieces. These 28 mostly reflective pieces, spanning the eighteenth century to the present day are appropriate voluntaries for the church organist, and suitable for many liturgical occasions throughout the year. Titles include compositions by Attwood, J.S. Bach, Brahms, Parry, Vierne, and Whitlock plus commissions from Robert Gower and Rebecca Groom te Velde, and arrangements of well-known works by J.S. Bach, Dvorak, Elgar, Faure, Ravel, Satie, Schubert, and Stolzel plus movements from Brahms’s “Ein deutsches Requiem,” Handel’s “Messiah,” and Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.”
Glory and Grandeur by Walker Baylor
Walker Baylor’s postludes are ideal conclusions to worship services. The eight works chosen for this volume are all majestic in character and make a grand impression within a short time. None is longer than three minutes, and all have been given a fresh touch for clarity and use on today’s organs. Titles include: “Festival Recessional,” “Hymn of Faith,” “Psalm VIII,” “Medieval Fanfare and Recessional,” “Processional,” “Recessional and Fanfare,” “Short Fantasy in G,” and “Short Fantasy in A minor.”
Journey to Wholeness by Angela Kraft Cross
This collection of organ works by Angela Kraft Cross provides excellent material for service or concert. Two trumpet tune-style pieces are joined by a lyric fantasy and a festive postlude. The volume’s title work is a stirring multi-movement piece inspired by Kraft Cross’s mentor from medical school and by the process of healing. As with Kraft Cross’s previous volume “Tree of Life,” this music makes a powerful impact in performance, enriching the experience of congregants or recital listeners. Titles include: “A Joyous Celebration,” “Fantasie on Arirang,” “Journey to Wholeness (To Make Man Whole),” “St. Bede’s Voluntary,” and “St. Joseph Voluntary.”
Our Hope for Years to Come
This useful anthology of hymn partitas and variations is the work of six composers: David Lasky, Douglas E. Wagner, David P. Dahl, Edward Landin, Robert F. Swift, and Andrew Senn. Each composer writes in a distinct style and has chosen a familiar hymn tune as the basis for their work. In their entirety, each partita is suitable for use in recital or as an extended service prelude. For shorter service voluntaries, individual variations may be excerpted or combined. Titles include: “Chorale and Variations on Christe Sanctorum,” “Four Variants on Rendez a Dieu,” “Partita on Christe Sanctorum,” “Partita on Deus Tuorum Militum,” “Variations on St. Anne,” and “Variations on a Genevan Psalm.”
Thou Art the Way by Grimoaldo Macchia
Grimoaldo Macchia is one of Europe’s most popular composers and arrangers of sacred organ music. In this volume, he applies his vibrant style to thirteen hymns that originate from the USA. Included are traditional folk hymns as well as later-composed tunes of American origin. Crafted with a fresh perspective on these hymns, Macchia’s brief pieces will make for delightful preludes, offertories, and postludes throughout the church year. Titles include: “Celebration March on To God Be the Glory,” “Finale Festoso on God of the Morning at Whose Voice,” “An Ascending Prayer on Amazing Grace,” “Festival Toccatina on Great God We Sing That Mighty Hand,” “Festive Postlude on Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Flourish on How Firm a Foundation,” “Fugato on In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” “Gospel Pastorale on Jerusalem My Happy Home,” “Meditation on Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive,” “Soliloquy on What Wondrous Love Is This,” “Triumphant Trumpets on Shall We Gather at the River,” “Tuba Tune on My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” and “Four Variations on Thou Art the Way to Thee Alone.”
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About the Authors:
Caryn G. has over 21 years of experience working at Stanton’s in both the Piano and Choral departments. During her career, she has been a church pianist/accompanist and a piano teacher. Her experience makes her a valuable connection for anybody who calls the piano department.
Judy S. has 30 years of private piano teaching experience and 40 years as a church pianist. Her experience makes her a valuable connection for anybody who calls the piano department.