Organ - Level 5 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.909270

Composed by Vidas Pinkevicius. Christian,Contemporary,Sacred. Score. 8 pages. Vidas Pinkevicius #3540609. Published by Vidas Pinkevicius (A0.909270).

In the fall of 2013 my friend and colleague, Paulius Grigonis who is the organist at St Joseph church here in Vilnius was preparing to play a recital at Vilnius Cathedral around Christmas time. He approached me asking for advice about the pieces he could be playing.

I offered him to compose a set of 6 variations on the famous Christmas tune Adeste fideles and he agreed too much hesitation (too bad).

I started working on the composition but got stuck at the end of the 5th variation. I used major and minor chords only. My goal was to create something colorful and modern and yet understandable to the listener.

Because of these simple chords the harmonies are very clear and transparent. What makes it sound modern though is that I avoid traditional chordal progressions of the perfect fourth and perfect fifth. This would imply tonic-dominant, dominant-tonic, tonic-subdominant, subdominant-tonic relationship.

But I didn't want this. I wanted to surprise my audience and my friend Paulius. So I chose all kinds of progressions - minor and major seconds, minor and major thirds, even a tritone to keep it fresh.

However, the result was too difficult to play for Paulius on a short notice and I got side-tracked with other projects. Although the idea of completing the variations never left me.

So last weekend I sat down and added the last variation with a CODA.

I hope you'll enjoy this piece which is dedicated to Paulius.

8 pages, PDF score. Advanced level.

Organ: 3-staff - Intermediate

SKU: LO.70-1054

Composed by Gerhard Krapf. Sacred, General, Hymn-Based Collection. Sacred Music Press #70/1054. Published by Sacred Music Press (LO.70-1054).

UPC: 000308023831.

The first volume of Creative Hymn Accompaniments by Gerhard Krapf met with wide acceptance, and The Sacred Music Press is pleased to offer this companion collection of 31 well-known hymn tunes for general and seasonal use. The organ accompaniments included here avoid extreme departures from traditional harmonies, and instead provide solid and refreshing alterations which will add interest and variety. Use of these accompaniments need not be restricted to a final stanza. Since each accompaniment is playable on one or two manuals, the organ introduction or a selected stanza may feature the tune played on a solo stop or combination. A contrasting stanza may then be played on one manual with principals and mixtures which support the congregational singing. Slight rhythmic adjustments may be necessary in some hymns to fit the variants which exist among different hymnals. Not difficult, and a handy master index for both volumes is provided.