adamsworks.com

Quodlibet on Olivet and Battle Hymn

a composition for organ by Robert Train Adams
masterlist : organ

Duration

3'10"

Description

I recently played a memorial service, where I was asked to play My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Olivet) and Battle Hymn of the Republic (Battle Hymn). I didn't want to just play one hymn, then the other (with at least one verse of the former played on the chimes, per the widow's request--looking back toward the couple's wedding decades before), although a nice buildup would have been possible, moving from Olivet's reflective character to the more robust Battle Hymn. I was in a compositional mood, having completed my Kumbaya variations earlier in the day, so I sat down at the computer to play--and found some interesting ways to combine the two tunes. Each appears by itself (although Battle Hymn's main appearance is softly accompanied by Olivet).

Following a quiet opening presentation of Olivet, with the melody on chimes, a transition on Olivet increases in volume to the second section, where both tunes are present. An excerpt of Battle Hymn starts in the manuals, against Olivet in the pedal. The tunes reverse locations, with the section closing with a transition similar to the one ending the previous section, except that the material is drawn from Battle Hymn.

The third section is more reflective, with a complete statement of Battle Hymn in the left hand, and an accompaniment based on Olivet in the right hand. A brief closing statement of Olivet is followed by the first section transition into closing material from the refrain of Battle Hymn.

While I consider this work to be more functional than some of my other pieces--written for a specific memorial service to meet specific needs--it may well have broader appeal. There is almost no variation of the tunes; harmonies stick pretty close to familiar versions of the hymns; the combination of the two hymns works very well--it doesn't require a great deal of focus to hear the two tunes as they play off each other. Listeners who didn't know the history of the combination liked the work. If I don't have it posted on my web site, be sure to ask me for it.

Score Excerpt

insert score link here

Sound File

insert midi or mp3 link here