SUGGESTIONS FROM SHEILA Practical Organ Music for Worship
“O God of blessings, all praise to you! Your love surrounds us our whole life through.” Soli Deo Gloria (Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006)
Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Eventide, set- ting by Lynn L. Peterson (Augsburg Organ Library: Healing and Funeral, Augsburg Fortress 9781451462616; 2013), Tune: “Eventide.” The text of this chorale-prelude speaks of
the assurance that we are God’s people and kept by his hand. In 1847, Henry F. Lyte, au- thor of this hymn, retired from his congrega- tion to move to another climate for health reasons. The text was written on his final Sunday as curate of the church. The words of the third stanza express beautifully the theme of the arrangement: “Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away. Change and decay in all around I see. O thou who changest not, abide with me” (The Worshiping Church: A Hymnal©1990).ABourdon 8' and 22
/3 ' sing
the melody paired with a lyrical accompani- ment of Flutes 8' and 4'. Healing and Funeral is the tenth edition of the Augsburg Organ Li- brary. The music in this collection, based on familiar hymn tunes, ranges from medium- easy to medium-difficult. This collection in- cludes 38 voluntaries representing 27 com- posers. The selections are attractive, diverse, and very musical.
Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment, setting by J. Bert Carlson (Drawn to the Light: HymnPreludes for Organ, Augsburg Fortress 9781451462586; 2013). Tune: “Blott en dag.” In the introduction, traces of the melody
can be heard from a string ensemble. A solo reed gently improvises the tune above a fluid accompaniment. Following a brief interlude, a soft 4' Pedal solo sings the melody above the accompaniment of the firet stanza. The hymn writer, Karolina Sandell-Berg (1832– 1903) was the daughter of a pastor in Swe- den. Heartache struck her life when her fa- ther fell overboard at sea and drowned before her eyes. “Day by Day” was one of the 14 hymns that she wrote following this tragedy. The text of the hymn is taken from Psalm 68:19: “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Sav- ior, who daily bears our burdens.” This col- lection offers several selections of hope and comfort, including “SoliDeoGloria,” “Drawn to the Light,” “Thy Holy Wing,” and “That Priceless Grace.”
His Eye Is on the Sparrow, setting by Ken- neth Dake. GIA Publications G-8183; 2012). Tune: “Sparrow.” This meditative piece is based on Matthew
6:26: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns; and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” The vol- untary is scored for horn in F and organ. A transparent accompaniment offers a lyrical background for the melodic improvisation of the second instrument. The music soars at the refrain with the horn playing the melody accompanied by full organ. The text of the fi- nal phrase appears in the last four measures:
“For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me” (Chalice Hymnal©1995).A substitute part for a clarinet in B-flat is in- cluded. The setting for horn in F is recorded on Songs of Simple Faith by Sharon Moe at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.
Repose, Raymond H. Haan (Three Psalm Pre- ludes for Organ, GIA Publications G-8088; 2012). The three pieces in this collection are
based on psalm texts; Repose is based on Psalm 4:8: “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only maketh me dwell in safety.” The music is warm and ethereal with extensive registration changes. The lines of the music are woven with dy- namic contrasts, division changes, and har- monic stress. In the music, I hear both the struggles and the resolutions of life’s chal- lenges. Throughout the piece, the sounds re- flect a positive response to life and a quiet re- pose in death.
Sentiments for Organ, Sandra Gay. Zimbel Press 80101336; 2013. The composer shares this about her music:
“The four parts of Sentiments (2013) are de- signed to show the elements of a person’s emotional outlook as his situation gradually changes from unexpected sadness to joy. ‘Solemnity,’ the initial feeling of hopeless- ness, moves to ‘Tranquility’ as the despair lessens and is replaced by an inner peace, in- dicating acceptance. As time passes, the situ- ation becomes more positive, and although our friend is still skeptical, he begins to feel ‘Anticipation’ and hope. Then the situation comes full circle, ending in happiness, and restoring his original emotional state of ‘Mirth.’”
When Peace Like a River, setting by Michael Burkhardt (Three Hymn Improvisations for Organ), MorningStar Music Publishers MSM-10-654; 2013). Tune: “Ville du Havre.” In the voluntary, the composer has in-
cluded the text at key phrases with suggested registrations. Burkhardt’s suggestions are “When peace like a river . . .,” use a soft reed to solo above a light accompaniment of bro- ken chords. “It is well withmysoul . . .,” solo a Gedeckt 8' with a transparent accompani- ment. “Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come . . .,” use a flute ensemble and 22
/3 ' with boxes closed. “Lord, hasten
the daywhenour faith shall be sight . . .,” reg- ister a principal ensemble. “The trumpet shall sound . . .,” add reeds with full organ. Following a dramatic climax, the music whispers the final phrase “It is well with my soul,” using a soft Flute 8' and accompani- ment to balance.
Your suggestions are welcome. Please e-mail me at
SheilaLHess@cablelynx.com. SHEILA L. HESS, CAGO
Pipe Organs
875MichiganAvenue Columbus, Ohio 43215
800-292-7934 614-299-7934
www.BunnMinnick.com
Pipe Organs
AUGUST 2013
53
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84