Author: william
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Louis-Claude Daquin
"The Cuckoo" Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) [HARPSICHORD] "If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee" Improvisation Louis-Claude Daquin was born in Paris to a reasonably well-connected family. On his mother’s side he was related to Rabelais, on his father’s to the Rabbi of Avignon (who had converted to Christianity before he died in 1650). His great…
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Washington Gladden “O Master Let Me Walk With Thee”
Sonata in D (K.96) D. Scarlatti (1685-1757) O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee Improvisation Washington Gladden (1836-1918) — so named because his great-grandfather served as George Washington’s bodyguard during the Revolutionary War — was a Congregational pastor. He served in New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio during the post-Civil War industrial era when racial…
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“If Only I Could Kiss It and Make It Better”
“If Only I Could Kiss It and Make It Better” W. Zeitler “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Improvisation Once upon a time a close friend confided in me about being the victim of violence years prior, and how it still profoundly haunted her. The story left me speechless. Later, I thought about how when we are children and…
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Scarlatti vs. Handel
Sonata in D, K96 Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) Handel (1685-1759) in his 20’s traveled to Italy to further his musical education. When he arrived in Rome, Cardinal Ottoboni arranged a keyboard competition between Handel and Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757). Scarlatti recognized his rival’s superior ability on the organ, while listeners were divided on the outcome of the…
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Bach & Bannister
Prelude & Fugue in G (BWV 550) J.S.Bach (1685-1750) [BIG ORGAN] "Of the Father's Love Begotten" Improvisation One of the unique features of the organ is a keyboard played by the feet to supply the bass. The pipe organ goes back to Roman days (in a primitive form) but a keyboard for the feet…
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Brahms “Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming”
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) was born into a poor family. He showed musical aptitude, and his father provided music lessons. Brahms himself later told stories about himself as a teenager earning money for his family by playing piano in bars and houses of ill-repute (there being no recorded music at the time, so if music was…
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Mikael Franzen “Prepare the Way, O Zion”
(Red book #106) “Prepare the Way” Frans Mikael Franzen (1772-1847) was a Swedish poet born in Finland. At thirteen he entered the university of Abo, where he attended the lectures of H. G. Porthan (1739-1804), a pioneer in the study of Finnish history and legend. Franzen graduated age 17, and three years later he embarked on a tour of…
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Comfort Ye My People
Variations on "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" P. Kedezichlem (1715-1780) [HARPSICHORD] "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People" Improvisation The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that goes back to at least the 14th century. It works by plucking the strings — unlike the piano which strikes the strings with hammers. That simple difference in the physics of…
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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Variations on “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” J. Barmherzig (1710-1763) [HARPSICHORD] “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Improvisation After their marriage, Charles Wesley (1707-1788) and his wife Sally set up housekeeping in Bristol, England, heading up the Methodist activities there. Later they moved to London so Charles could work more closely with his brother…
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All Glory, Laud and Honor
“All Glory, Laud and Honor” arr. J.S.Bach (1685-1750) [ORGAN] PFC Jacob Allen USMC, Tuba “Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise” Improvisation The original Latin words to “All Glory, Laud and Honor” were written by Theodulph of Orleans (760-821). Theodulph was born into the Italian nobility, but decided on a life of religious service. His first position…