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Partita on Immortal, Invisible

a composition for organ by Robert Train Adams
masterlist : organ

Duration

8'20"
  I: 45"
  II/III: 1'35"
  IV: 1 minute
  V: 2'10"
  VI: 1'50"
  VII: 1 minute

Description

A set of seven variations on St. Denio. The first 4 were written in 1980 and are primarily a transcription of an improvisation. The last three were written in 2005, when I wanted a more substantial pre-service prelude (the duration of the first four is 3'20"; the last three offer an additional 5 minutes!).

This set works well on small instruments as well as larger. The first movement uses only a 4' flute; the second adds an 8' flute; the third, which flows directly from the second, gets fuller and sees the first use of pedal (doing the hymn tune). The fourth is fuller yet, with a flowing, somewhat chromatic constantly descending bass line under slower-moving chords with some chromatic material.

The fifth returns to a softer sound, with a slowly-evolving left-hand ostinato and occasional supporting notes in the pedal against a lyrical free melody based losely on the hymn tune. The sixth movement returns to a fuller sonority, with dramatic fragments based on the tune interrupted by a softer cadenza. The final movement recaptures the softer mood and prepares for the ensuing worship service, with a slow-moving pedal, melody in the left hand, and slow chords in the right.

Score Excerpt

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Sound File

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