Organ Music from OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS Wednesday, January 10, 2024
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
Orb and Sceptre (Coronation March, 1953) by William Walton/arr. Robert Gower
This famous march was commissioned for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The stirring music, skillfully conveyed in this arrangement, offers everything from sweeping melodies to playful syncopations and magnificent fanfares. This piece has often been paired with Walton’s “Crown Imperial.”
Toccata by Gerre Hancock
This virtuoso showpiece, dating from 2002, is worthy to stand alongside the Toccatas of Gigout and Boëllmann, and makes a superb conclusion to a service or recital on any size of organ. Its harmonic language is strongly tonal, but enlivened along the way by spicy touches, while its near-constant semiquaver motion lends it a breathless rhythmic drive.
Carillon by Herbert Murrill
Perfect as a showpiece voluntary, Herbert Murrill’s vibrant 1949 “Carillon” for organ is a miniature toccata that sets agile passagework above purposeful chords, with flashes of brilliance from the pedal department too. Its varied metres and busy textures propel the music to a triumphant conclusion.
Sun Dance by Bob Chilcott
“Sun Dance” is a slightly modified version of the fifth movement from the composer’s “Organ Dances,” originally conceived for organ solo, strings, and percussion. The music is for the most part celebratory in character, its spiky rhythms driven along by the pervasive alternation of 3/8 and 4/4 metrical groupings, although the composer also has fun with 7/8 and 5/8 patterns.
Elegy for the Time of Change by Robert A. Harris
“Elegy for the Time of Change” was written in response to the horrifying murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police in May 2020. Imbued with singing melodies and richly expressive harmonies, the work makes several brief allusions to the spiritual “There is a Balm in Gilead,” offering a hopeful vision of healing and unity to a nation (and world) riven by mistrust and disparity.
Scottish Legend by Amy Beach/arr. Robert Gower
Amy Beach was celebrated during her lifetime as the foremost female composer of the United States, and her writing was frequently inspired by the folk music of America and Britain. Originally for piano, her “Scottish Legend” evokes Scotland in its wistful melody, adorned by Scotch snaps and conveying a folk-like atmosphere, but spiced up with a few late-Romantic harmonies. Contrasts between major and minor are also used to telling effect in this gently attractive piece, sympathetically arranged for the organ by Robert Gower.
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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.