Pastorale, Fanfare And Fugue On Mendelssohn

About This Piece

This composition combines pastoral beauty with dramatic fanfare and intricate fugal writing, making it suitable for Christmas concerts, festival worship-service prelude/postludes, and recitals. The Pastorale section could also be used as an offertory.

Notes from the Composer

A-flat major is used to present the composer's tone-poem: Pastorale, Fanfare And Fugue On Mendelssohn. The pastorale, a good Advent prelude in its own right, depicts "and there were in the same country, shepherds . . ." The one-measure fanfare announces to the shepherds, "and lo the angel of the Lord . . ." The fugue which follows allows several of the carol's phrases to be heard against it. Then follows a double canon with more fugal development. In the middle of the fugue, ". . . a multitude of the Heavenly Host," saying, 'Glory to God', presents itself on the tuba mirabilis. The second part of the fugue inverts the subject in stretto upon stretto leading to the augmented last phrase and climax of the piece.

• •Intermediate-Advanced level
• •Includes detailed performance notes
• •Perfect for holiday performances

Fugue Only

The sample commences at measure 111 of the fugal score. A canon of the Carol's first phrase occurs between the tenor and the soprano while the fugal subject sings in the bass. Then a tight stretto occurs between the alto and the bass in measure 114. The carol's first phrase enters in the tenor accompanying the stretto. This score and the audio sample uses the stops found on theVienna Concert House's five-manual organ. Read more about the Vienna Concert House's organ here:https://konzerthaus.at/the-great-rieger-organ-in-the-wiener-konzertkaus

Historical Context

While the lyrics date back to Charles Wesley in 1739, the melody we know today was adapted by William H. Cummings in 1856 from a composition by Felix Mendelssohn. This fugue pays homage to Mendelssohn's musical legacy.

Technical Highlights

• Complex interweaving of the carol's melody across different voices
• Challenging rhythmic counterpoint for performers
• Rich harmonic structure that expands on the original carol

"This fugue transforms a familiar Christmas tune into a sophisticated musical journey, showcasing the depth and versatility of the original melody."

Pastorale Only

This tone poem attempts to portrait shepherds soothing their sheep at night by playing soft melodies on various woodwinds. The organist's left hand on the swell and the pedal create a continuo with the organist's right hand moving back-and-forth from the solo, great and positive divisions weaving the Pastorale's melodic theme in variations against the continuo.