This reminded me of a piece that I haven't looked at in a while, but plan to learn sometime soon. There are many, many pieces of music that use this motive, but there was one in particular of mine that came to mind. It's called Forvandlinger (Metamorphoses). It was written by Peter Møller a Danish organist, pianist, and composer (Not the soccer player!). It was published by the Danish music publisher Edition Egtved in 1980 and is still in print today. It's an organ solo in three movements. Each one based off of a verse from the Bible, specifically Corinthians. I'll talk about all three, but it's the third movement that is based off the Dies Irae chant that I mentioned.
There are no titles to the movements, but if I were to put a name to them I would say 1) Toccata 2) A weird piece with no form as far as I can tell and 3) Meditation. That's the order they are printed in, but it didn't seem right to put the toccata in the beginning if you plan to perform all three consecutively. As it turns out I am right. I first heard this piece performed by a friend of my old organ teacher. His name is Sven-Ingvart Mikkelsen and he is currently organist at Fredericksborg Castle in Denmark. I have had the pleasure of meeting him several times and he's given me many valuable insights and also some really great music! He has recorded these three meditations, but I don't know if I can upload audio files so unfortunately this blog will have no recording. Anyway, back to what I was saying. He came here to the States to do a recital and played these piece. He also showed me where to obtain a copy and told me that upon speaking with Mr. Møller about the piece (they were good friends before Møller died) he agreed that the first and last movement should be switched! So I'll talk about them in the correct order.
We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpetcall.
1. Corinthians, XV, 2
The first movement is a meditation on Dies Irae. It's hard to notice it at first because the chant is played in long whole notes in the pedal on quiet 32' and 16' pitches. The chords that build up above it completely draws attention away from the pedal line. However, on the second page the Dies Irae chant dominates on top. Møller takes the theme, though distorting it rhythmically and builds it up to a huge climax that ends the first movement with the chant played in octaves in the pedal and ending the first movement.
What is sown in the earth as a perishable is raised imperishable.
1. Corinthians XV, 42
Plain and simple, the second movement is just weird, yet beautiful and mysterious. There is a constant "rising" motion that resolves on dissonant chords followed by three short staccato pedal notes. This happens three times, followed by a "falling" passage. After this section ends, there is a long solo passage. There is no harmony, just single melody notes played on 4', 2 2/3', and 1 3/5' stops or cornet alone. The entire passage has an air of mystery surrounding it. Once it dies out, the toccata comes out of nowhere.
But the truth is, Christ was raised to life - the firstfruits of the harvest of the dead. For since it was a man who brought death into the world a man also brought resurrection of the dead.
1. Corinthians XV, 20-21
The toccata begins with a stream of single sixteenth notes. (Also, quick side note, the toccata is manuals only. Though in the end there is an ad lib pedal part.) Following these are some descending dissonant chords and it is with these that the toccata takes on a very jazzy rhythm. After that and some climaxing chords everything stops and then we have a chorale that is nothing like what comes before it. I feel like this is the "Christ was raised to life." Maybe? This movement is based off of the chorales "Christ ist erstanden" and "Christ lag in Todesbanden." However, once the chorale is finished, the toccata repeats back to the beginning and ends on a powerful D major chord.
We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpetcall.
1. Corinthians, XV, 2
The first movement is a meditation on Dies Irae. It's hard to notice it at first because the chant is played in long whole notes in the pedal on quiet 32' and 16' pitches. The chords that build up above it completely draws attention away from the pedal line. However, on the second page the Dies Irae chant dominates on top. Møller takes the theme, though distorting it rhythmically and builds it up to a huge climax that ends the first movement with the chant played in octaves in the pedal and ending the first movement.
What is sown in the earth as a perishable is raised imperishable.
1. Corinthians XV, 42
Plain and simple, the second movement is just weird, yet beautiful and mysterious. There is a constant "rising" motion that resolves on dissonant chords followed by three short staccato pedal notes. This happens three times, followed by a "falling" passage. After this section ends, there is a long solo passage. There is no harmony, just single melody notes played on 4', 2 2/3', and 1 3/5' stops or cornet alone. The entire passage has an air of mystery surrounding it. Once it dies out, the toccata comes out of nowhere.
But the truth is, Christ was raised to life - the firstfruits of the harvest of the dead. For since it was a man who brought death into the world a man also brought resurrection of the dead.
1. Corinthians XV, 20-21
The toccata begins with a stream of single sixteenth notes. (Also, quick side note, the toccata is manuals only. Though in the end there is an ad lib pedal part.) Following these are some descending dissonant chords and it is with these that the toccata takes on a very jazzy rhythm. After that and some climaxing chords everything stops and then we have a chorale that is nothing like what comes before it. I feel like this is the "Christ was raised to life." Maybe? This movement is based off of the chorales "Christ ist erstanden" and "Christ lag in Todesbanden." However, once the chorale is finished, the toccata repeats back to the beginning and ends on a powerful D major chord.
Anyway, that's Metamorphoses in a nutshell. I don't have too much to say on the piece since I haven't studied it yet myself and there seems to be no info out there on it. Unfortunately there are no YouTube recordings for me to post this time. However, Sven whom I mentioned earlier has recorded the work. Below is a link the the CD on Amazon. Unfortunately they are sold out. (Sorry, I actually bought the last copy) However, maybe it's possible to track it down elsewhere.
Also, here is the website you can order the score from if you are interested enough. 115 Danish Krone comes out to about $21.
I hope somebody takes the time to look at this work. It seems very few know about it and it's a great piece of music!
Yours in Music,
Jim
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