Song List: Symphonia No 29 Romanza Winter Night Homage to Fritz Kreisler

This suite for organ was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the 2020-2021 Student Commissioning Project. It derives its title and source material from William Walker?s 1835 hymnbook Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. Each movement is based on one tune from the collection. The work's harmonic landscape is also derived from Walker?s hymnbook, and the interval of a perfect fifth is extensively used. The end result is an exciting organ suite that brings new life to old melodies.

Die Komposition entstand im Sommer 1994 als Musik zur Verfilmung des Romans ,Schlafes Bruder' von Robert Schneider (Regie: Joseph Vilsmaier). Die Toccata ist Teil eines Orgelwettbewerbs am Filmende, in dem das Naturgenie Elias Alder (von Gott und dem Teufel mit einem ubernaturlichen Horvermogen ausgestattet) im Dom zu Feldberg ein Publikum mit damonischen Orgelklangen hypnotisiert. Nach einem ,zer-rissenen' Anfangsteil erklingen im Pedal das ,Elsbeth-Thema' und der Choral ,Komm. o Tod, du Schlafes Bruder' (aus J. S. Bachs ,Kreuzstab-Kantate' BWV 56), darauf hinweisend, dass Elias nach diesem genia-lischen Konzert freiwillig in den Tod gehen wird: wer liebt, der schlaft nicht, lautet die Maxime seines Sterbens.
Die Komposition ist dem Munchner Organisten Professor Harald Feller gewidmet, der sie nicht nur fur den Film eingespielt hat, sondern mit kreativen Ideen zur virtuosen Gestaltung beigetragen hat.
(Enjott Schneider, zitiert nach: Nachwort zur Notenausgabe ED 8525).

Advent is a magical and mysterious season stretching across several long weeks: It is a culture of waiting. Hoping in the dark and in obscurity. Humility, quiet and togetherness - without the commercial derailment of materialistic gift-giving - are characteristic features of the Advent season. Seldom are people as close to the old traditions as during this introverted period. This is expressed by Organ Symphony No. 11 in four movements: 1. Veni redemptor omium, 2. Licht - Mitten im kalten Winter, 3. Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, 4. Toccata sopra 'Rorate caeli desuper'. Composed for one organ with at least three manuals.

Organ sonata based on the text from three psalms:
Psalm 13 "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?"
Psalm 91 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Psalm 98 "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song."

Composed in 2020-2021, this piece moves from restlessness and agitation in the first movement, to peace and tranquility in the second, to exuberance and celebration in the third. Premiered 1/31/21.