Communion Music for Organ Thursday, October 12, 2023
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Organ Music for Communion arr. Martin Weyer
This volume devised by Martin Weyer contains organ music of easy to medium technical difficulty for use at communion. The broad range of styles encompasses Johann Sebastian Bach and early Classical works through to the late Romantic period. The album contains original compositions and first publications as well as arrangements for organ and twelve pieces for communion in settings by Johann Sebastian Bach with melodies and texts appropriate to communion. Some of the pieces can also be performed with solo instruments (in C, Bb or F). Corresponding instrumental parts are included with the score.
Three Communion Meditations arr. David Maxwell
This set includes beautiful settings of well-known hymn tunes “Picardy,” “Wondrous Love,” and “Amazing Grace” that organists will find useful over and over again. While perfect for use during Communion, each piece is substantial enough to stand on its own. Maxwell has called for specific colors with his registrations, but any organist will find these arrangements playable on almost any size instrument and with little work.
Communion Canticles arr. Franklin D. Ashdown
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.
Communion Music for Manuals arr. Charles Callahan
Titles include: “Humbly I Adore Thee (ADORO TE DEVOTE),” “Bread of the World, in Mercy Broken (EUCHARISTIC HYMN),” “Let Us Break Bread Together (LET US BREAK BREAD),” “Now, My Tongue, the Mystery Telling (PANGE LINGUA),” “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (PICARDY),” “Father, We Thank Thee (RENDEZ À DIEU),” “Deck Thyself, My Soul (SCHMÜCKE DICH),” “Come with Us, O Blessed Jesus (WERDE MUNTER).”
Communion Mosaics arr. Jacob B. Weber
This is the tenth edition in the popular “Mosaics” series by Jacob B. Weber. “Communion Mosaics” features organ settings that are useful as preludes or hymn introductions during distribution. The collection is bookended with a delightful trumpet tune on “O Living Bread from Heaven” and three variations on “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing” (Introduction, Interlude, and Coda), which are useful as a combined prelude or interspersed with hymn singing. Other hymns include “Jesus Comes Today with Healing,” “I Come, O Savior, to Your Table,” “O Gracious Lord, I Firmly Am Believing,” and “What Is This Bread.”
Let Us Break Bread Together arr. Albin Whitworth
Nine communion hymn settings for organ arranged by Albin C. Whitworth. Titles include: “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed,” “Close to Thee,” “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” “Jesus Paid It All,” “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “My Faith Looks Up to Thee,” “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart,” and “Whiter Than Snow.”
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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.