Organ
SKU:
SU.80101410
For
Organ. Composed by
Carson Cooman. Keyboard,
Organ. Score. Zimbel
Press #80101410.
Published by Zimbel Press
(SU.80101410).
Fantasy-Variati
ons on Two Themes (2017)
for organ was written for
Heinrich Christensen in
celebration of his
significant 2017
birthday. The musical
material for the work
comprises two different
themes. The first is a
short melody by the
Danish composer Carl
Nielsen (1865-1931). (It
was a sketch originally
intended for inclusion
in, but ultimately left
out of, Nielsen's late
organ work 29 Little
Preludes.) This theme
represents Heinrich's
native Denmark. The
second theme is the
American folk-gospel hymn
Angel Band. This theme
represents Heinrich's
adopted American
homeland. It serves also
as a remembrance of our
dear mutual friend Harry
Lyn Huff (1952-2016), for
whom the tune was a
particular favorite. Both
these themes are
developed freely in a set
of alternating
fantasy-variations. The
opening variation begins
with a dramatic pedal
solo before quoting both
themes. The second
variation is a lyric
setting based on the
Nielsen melody. The third
is a jubilant hornpipe on
Angel Band. The fourth is
an aria on a
transformation of the
Nielsen melody. The fifth
is a gigue-toccata on
Angel Band. The sixth is
an atmospheric
contemplation: lush
chords in the manuals
move slowly and hint at
Angel Band while the
Nielsen melody is heard
for the first time in its
complete original form on
a high pedal stop. The
seventh and final
variation begins with a
brief evocation of the
harmonies of the late
Daniel Pinkham (a mentor
to both Heinrich and me)
before going on to return
dramatically and
jubilantly to the opening
music, bringing together
both themes again in a
bold conclusion.
Instrumentation: Organ
Duration: 15' Composed:
2017 Published by: Zimbel
Press.