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Suite on Norwegian Folk Tunes

a composition for organ by Robert Train Adams
masterlist : organ

Duration

9'30"

Description

This five-movement set of works on Norwegian folk tunes used as hymn tunes was requested by my cousin Michael Moreskine, himself an organist and composer. In addition to having served a Norwegian churchin San Francisco, he spent the 2005-2006 year working as a church musician in Sandnesjoen,Norway. He wanted a set of pieces that he could use as both a concert work (having in mind an organ dedication in San Francisco) and individual preludes to the hymns using the tunes I wrote on--especially if my settings used minimal pedal.

That latter requirement caused me the greatest difficulty, followed by my lack of familiarity with the tunes (which are quite wonderful to work with). Still, the piece worked out pretty well, being particularly effective on instruments that have some reasonable contrast in registrations possible.

I. Introduction and Promenade

Tune: 850 [Heddal: Hvor er det godt å lande]
Tune: 808 [Vang I Valdres: Se, solens skjønne lys og prakt]
Key: F to C
Pedal: Some pedal
Duration: 3 minutes

II. Toccata

Tune: 808 [Vang I Valdres: Se, solens skjønne lys og prakt]
Key: C
Pedal: None
Duration: 1’30”

III. Interlude

Tune: 844 [Heddal: I himmelen, I himmelen]
Key: G
Pedal: None
Duration: 50 seconds

IV. Meditation

Tune: 268 [Romedal: Herre Gud, ditt dyre navn og aere]
Key: F
Pedal: None
Duration: 1’10”

V. Finale (Hi Fra Norge)

Tune: 850 [Heddal: Hvor er det godt å lande]
Tune: 844 [Heddal: I himmelen, I himmelen]
Tune: 244 [Heddal: Den store, hvite flokk]
Key: A to C
Pedal: Substantial pedal
Duration: 3 minutes

Score Excerpt

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Sound File

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