Organ Music for Solemn Occasions (Op.29)

2008 - Keyboard

This is a collection of short pieces, suitable for funerals, memorial services and commemorative occasions.

No.1 In memoriam (D minor/major)

2008, 4 minutes 30 seconds, Dedication: in memory of John W. Davis

Eschewing morbidity, the solemn D minor theme is subjected to continual variation, eventually succumbing to two noble statements in D major; the first, stated simply, the second a majestic peroration.

The piece moves from grieving a loss to celebrating a life.

No.2 Elegy

Elegy was composed in Harringworth in 2009. Set mainly in a gentle 6/8 rhythm, it features two of the composer's mannerisms: hemiolae, in melody, bass and accompaniment, and pedal points, notably in the bass line.

It commences in a modal E minor and never deviates far from this key before a variant of the main material returns in E major to complete the piece, rather than with any feeling of triumph, in a mood of resignation and repose.

No.3 Recessional march in G major

3 minutes 17 seconds

This piece, suitable as concluding music for a ceremonial occasion, is in five sections: A B A1 C A2.

The recurring main theme, hymn-like in style, has a different two-bar ending for each of the three hearings. The first episode is in E minor, and is largely set over a tonic pedal. The second episode, in C major, is presented twice, and gently parodies Elgar with the nobilmente second hearing an octave higher.

The piece would also be suitable for shortening to A B A, ending at bar 36.

No.4 Passacaglia brevis

2 minutes 30 seconds

Passacaglia brevis, composed in 2011, has four sections, A B A1 B1. There are two recurring seven-note bass figures (so strictly speaking it is more of a Chaconne than a Passacaglia).

The opening section is in the Aeolian mode based on the note A and underpinned by the notes A B C B D E B as the initial bass theme. The note pattern recurs seven times before modulating to the dominant, E major, for the second section.

Here, the second bass figure uses the notes E G# C# D# A F# B five times before the first one returns – this time in the A Lydian mode, which has the effect of raising the opening minor ambience to the major.

The final section, serving as a coda, uses the second passacaglia theme once more, concluding in a stable E major.

Listen

You can listen to In memoriam, Elegy, Recessional march in G major and Passacaglia brevis on scoreexchange.com.

Performances