Six Toccatas Quoting Hymn Tunes Monday, April 19, 2021
recommended by Caryn G. and Judy S., Sacred Piano Music Specialists
Six Toccatas Quoting Hymn Tunes by Franklin D. Ashdown, for Moderately Advanced Organ
For this unique volume, Franklin Ashdown took his inspiration from the genre of the “choral concertato:” a standard choral anthem that ends with the singing of a hymn by choir and congregation. These organ solos are developed as free-style toccatas into which short hymn tune phrases are inserted. Finally, a triumphant statement of the complete hymn ends each work. Hymn tunes include: “Azmon,” “Nicaea,” “Terra Beata,” “Grosser Gott,” “Salzburg,” and “Divinum Mysterium.”
More from Franklin D. Ashdown
Come, Love Divine: Nine Pentecost Organ Settings
Composer Franklin D. Ashdown adds to his impressive catalogue of music for organ with this new volume for the season of Pentecost. Featuring new settings of beloved hymn tunes as well as free-compositions, this volume will be a great addition to any library. Titles include: “Come Down, O Love Divine,” “Come, Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove,” “God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind,” “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine,” “Lux Aeterna,” “O Day Full of Grace,” “O Living Breath of God,” “O Spirit of Life,” and “The Dove Descending.”
Communion Canticles: Eight Pieces for Organ
Franklin D. Ashdown based this collection around the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Two of the pieces are freely composed and are intended to evoke the spirit of remembrance, renewal, and devotion to the Savior and His atoning sacrifice. The additional six pieces are settings of well-known Communion hymns. Most are quiet, introspective pieces that are useful as preludes, offertories, and voluntaries, while the more energetic and celebratory compositions work well as recessionals and postludes. Titles include: “Adagio on Let Us Break Bread Together,” “Chorale Prelude on O Bread of Life from Heaven,” “Trumpet Postlude on Lord Enthroned in Lovely Splendor,” “Pastorale on My God, Thy Table Now Is Spread,” “Communion Canticle,” “Toccata on All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly,” “Elevation,” and “Chorale Variations on Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness.”
Echoes of Praise: Organ Settings of Favorite Hymns
“Expressions of Praise” can range from a quiet utterance of awe to an assertive declaration of grandeur and majesty, which Ashdown captures in this delightful collection. These dynamic organ settings are based on hymns associated with texts of praise to God and take full advantage of the organ’s broad dynamic range and impressive array of tonal colors – the perfect instrument to give divine acclamation. Seven of the works are intended as celebratory postludes, with two quieter pieces for prelude or offertory use. Titles include: “Festival Prelude on Duke Street,” “Meditation on Lauda Anima,” “Acclamations,” “Trumpet Variations on Laudate Dominum,” “Variations on Ebenezer,” “Paean,” “Aubade on Royal Oak,” “Festal Voluntary on Ellacombe,” and “Trumpet Recessional on Hanover.”
Glory of the Easter Feast: Organ Settings for the Season
“Glory of the Easter Feast” is a collection of eight organ pieces, representing a mix of hymn-based settings and original, free-style compositions. The general spirit of these compositions is joyful exuberance as expressed in ceremonial trumpet tunes (often to a familiar Easter melody), colorful partitas, or spirited processionals. The diverse sources range from a German chorale to a French folk carol, to a Tanzanian hymn tune. Titles include: “An Easter Triptych (quoting Easter Hymn),” “Christ Has Risen, Alleluia (A Tazmanian Alleluia),” “Christ Is Arisen,” “Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!,” “Glory of the Easter Feast,” “Hail Thee, Festival Day (Sortie),” “Partita on Noel Nouvelet (Now the Green Blade Rises),” and “The Risen Christ (Postlude Voluntary).”
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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.