Instrumental Music

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PAGE

The compositions contained on this page are specifically designed to be used as introductory music to a Mass, religious service or concert.

Regarding performance of the music. The sonatas are written in the 16th century, or Baroque style. Therefore the conventions of that period apply in the interpretation of the music. Dynamics are occasionally supplied but I generally tend to leave such interpretations to the personal taste of the individual. Ornamentation can be added where thought appropriate.

All of the sonata files are available in pdf, NoteWorthy Composer (nwc) and midi formats.

*pdf - contains all files in zip format

Sonata

Comment

pdf*

mid

1

This sonata takes us on Christ's journey to the cross. It starts in Gethsemane, continues through the arrest and trial of Christ, and finally on to the road to Calvary, the cross, and the death of Christ. The music is reminiscent of a passion in miniature: the opening recitative of Christ's pleading to his Father in Gethsemane; the Sanhedrin and riotious outbursts of the crowd as they scream: 'crucify him', in movement 2 (chorus-like). I use 'fugue' to depict the last stages of Christ's ministry on this earth, movement 3 (akin to an aria). It is a lengthy fugue with an angular and chromatic subject representing the One who, for us, endures pain and suffering - and death. One can almost palpably feel the dark despair of the events as they unfold, see Christ stumble under the heavy weight of His cross, and his supplications to the Father. At the death of Christ the temple is torn in two and many see that indeed Christ is the true Son of God. All now await the promise He made: that in three days HE would rise again in triumph over death.

2

The mood in this piece is that initially following the crucifixion of Christ, that of melancholy and despair; but the final gigue captures the joy of the resurrection. The piece is designed for use on Easter Saturday and Sunday; movements 1-4 played before the services, the gigue played as the concluding postlude.

The work is for four solo instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet (in bflat) and Violin, with organ continuo.

3a

For 2 'C' instruments - Allegro, Adagio, Fugue

3b

Transcribed for Brass Trio: 2 Bflat Trumpets and Trombone in B - Allegro, Adagio, Fugue

4

For 2 'C' instruments - Prelude & Fugue, Adagio, Allegro

5

For Trumpet in bflat - Allegro, Andante, Gigue

6

For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Fugue, Siciliano

7

For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Minuet&Musette, Andante, Allegro

8

For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Adagio, Gigue

9

For Flute - variations on a theme

10a

For 2 'C' instruments - Adagio, fugue (single), pastorale, fugue (double)

10b

Pastorale arranged for organ.

11

For 'Cello - Allegro, Elegy, Gigue (dedicated to Elisabeth R. Kenny 2003)

12

For Organ - variations on the hymn: 'To Jesus Heart All Burning'

13

For Organ - Prelude and Fugue, Sarabande, Adagio, Toccata and Fugue: homage to Handel (New Dec 06)

(dedicated to Lisa Stafford 2003)

14

This sonata can be used as a prelude to the Midnight Mass or Christmas Day Mass, to a carol concert or Nativity play in school or church. Mov I is based on the hymn On Christmas Morn... Mov II is a set of 5 variations on the tune of Silent Night. The final movement is a medley of favourite Christmas carols. The work is scored For Flute, or Violin, and organ.

15

The term symphony would better describe this work. It is scored for chamber orchestra, although a full orchestra is ideal: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bflat, Bassoon, Strings and Timpani (g-c). It is 'mono' harmonic in that each movement is in C, variety occurs within the movements however. The work utilizes the Italian three movement plan. This 'Sonata' is for a church or school orchestra to be used at big ceremonial occasions. The second mov can be used independently: the flute and clarinet have solo parts. The degree of difficulty is medium to difficult.
Full score and separate instrument parts are included.

Organ Concerto1
UPDATED Dec 06

For string ensemble and organ this is a reworking of existing material taken from two of the Sonata da chiesa, above, no.3. The writing has been expanded to create a fairly substantial piece. In three movs, the second is the only one to use pedal. Separate string parts included in pdf pt.zips.
Full
pt.1

pt.2

pt.3

Full

Organ Concerto2

For chamber orchestra and organ this is a reworking of existing material taken from one of the Sonata da chiesa, above, no.15. The writing has been expanded to create a fairly substantial piece.

Separate instrument parts are included in pdf pt.zips.
Full
pt.1

pt.2

pt.3

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Bible Traffic

Sonata	Comment	pdf*	mid
1	This sonata takes us on Christ's journey to the cross. It starts in Gethsemane, continues through the arrest and trial of Christ, and finally on to the road to Calvary, the cross, and the death of Christ. The music is reminiscent of a passion in miniature: the opening recitative of Christ's pleading to his Father in Gethsemane; the Sanhedrin and riotious outbursts of the crowd as they scream: 'crucify him', in movement 2 (chorus-like). I use 'fugue' to depict the last stages of Christ's ministry on this earth, movement 3 (akin to an aria). It is a lengthy fugue with an angular and chromatic subject representing the One who, for us, endures pain and suffering - and death. One can almost palpably feel the dark despair of the events as they unfold, see Christ stumble under the heavy weight of His cross, and his supplications to the Father. At the death of Christ the temple is torn in two and many see that indeed Christ is the true Son of God. All now await the promise He made: that in three days HE would rise again in triumph over death.
2	The mood in this piece is that initially following the crucifixion of Christ, that of melancholy and despair; but the final gigue captures the joy of the resurrection. The piece is designed for use on Easter Saturday and Sunday; movements 1-4 played before the services, the gigue played as the concluding postlude. The work is for four solo instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet (in bflat) and Violin, with organ continuo.
3a	For 2 'C' instruments - Allegro, Adagio, Fugue
3b	Transcribed for Brass Trio: 2 Bflat Trumpets and Trombone in B - Allegro, Adagio, Fugue
4	For 2 'C' instruments - Prelude & Fugue, Adagio, Allegro
5	For Trumpet in bflat - Allegro, Andante, Gigue
6	For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Fugue, Siciliano
7	For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Minuet&Musette, Andante, Allegro
8	For 'C' instrument - Allegro, Adagio, Gigue
9	For Flute - variations on a theme
10a	For 2 'C' instruments - Adagio, fugue (single), pastorale, fugue (double)
10b	Pastorale arranged for organ.
11	For 'Cello - Allegro, Elegy, Gigue *(dedicated to Elisabeth R. Kenny 2003)*
12	For Organ - variations on the hymn: 'To Jesus Heart All Burning'
13	For Organ - Prelude and Fugue, Sarabande, Adagio, Toccata and Fugue: homage to Handel (New Dec 06) *(dedicated to Lisa Stafford 2003)*
14	This sonata can be used as a prelude to the Midnight Mass or Christmas Day Mass, to a carol concert or Nativity play in school or church. Mov I is based on the hymn On Christmas Morn... Mov II is a set of 5 variations on the tune of Silent Night. The final movement is a medley of favourite Christmas carols. The work is scored For Flute, or Violin, and organ.
15	The term symphony would better describe this work. It is scored for chamber orchestra, although a full orchestra is ideal: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet in Bflat, Bassoon, Strings and Timpani (g-c). It is 'mono' harmonic in that each movement is in C, variety occurs within the movements however. The work utilizes the Italian three movement plan. This 'Sonata' is for a church or school orchestra to be used at big ceremonial occasions. The second mov can be used independently: the flute and clarinet have solo parts. The degree of difficulty is medium to difficult. Full score and separate instrument parts are included.