Citations
Altmetric:
Soloist
Composer
Publisher
Date
2020-04-30
Additional date(s)
Abstract
To Wander and Return is a concerto written for organ and full orchestra, comprising three movements. Performance time is approximately thirty minutes. Tonally the music centers around E, beginning in E minor and ending in E major. The middle movement, in C minor, is related to E as a mediant. Unlike traditional concertos, the organ does not always feature extreme virtuosity. Instead, it emerges from the orchestra as one of its members, asserts its independence as the soloist, then returns to an equal role with the orchestra. The organ personifies a wanderer; a long-suffering hero characterized by courage and endurance who ultimately triumphs over his trials. As a result, there are stirring moments of triumph and adventure as well as darker moments of heavy pathos, sorrow and turmoil.
The first movement is in sonata form with two expositions. Three main themes occur throughout the movement (which is in E minor), first stated by the orchestra then by the organ. The second half features the organ and the orchestra equally, and the movement closes with a wistful organ coda. The orchestra opens the movement boldly. Then, as the texture thins, the first of the three themes emerges in the bassoons. The bassoons depict the wanderer briskly setting out on his journey. During this exposition, the oboes and the flutes present the second theme and the first violins present the final, melancholy theme. The organ appears occasionally in an accompanying role, but it does not fully emerge until after the first exposition.
The second movement opens with a change of mood and scenery. This movement is in rondo form, with the first theme built over a ground bass. The repetitive B theme is accompanied by a sparkling texture that features harp and celeste during its first statement. In contrast, the lyrical C theme features the oboes, English horns and strings. The harmonies in this movement are cloudy and clustered, but generally stay within the tonal areas of C minor and its relative Eb major. Throughout the movement, soaring melodies contrast with minimalistic, repeated chords and the cello, oboe and organ are featured prominently.
The third movement begins attacca, led by the organ which issues a trumpet call, heralding a suddenly minor and harsh idea. After the orchestra responds to this idea, the organ plays a chorale theme in E major which returns throughout the movement. This theme is the wanderer’s anthem of undaunted hope and courage. The movement is loosely ternary in form, with a buoyant, optimistic B section evoking images of a journey at sea. After the orchestra builds to an enormous climax at the return of A, the organ reenters with the chorale theme as well as themes from the first movement.
Contents
Subject
Subject(s)
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Genre
Thesis
Description
Format
Department
Music