It has been a fruitful day today! I made some time to sit at Duquesne’s Chapel organ and make a recording of a new work. And not just any work, but a series I look to continue for the rest of my compositional life: Miniatures. I believe it is important for organists to have access to newer music that is meant for both performance and liturgy. Granted, I don’t think that individual movements of the first set of Miniatures is going to light up organist’s recital lists, but having access to pieces that are not hymn tune based are really important.
The first Volume (something I just decided to name them) has some of my favorite little works I have written. There’s a post-minimalist piece, a jokey Italian title, and a tribute to one of the great organist composers. I’ve used this moniker as an avenue to produce technically accessible pieces that are also not specifically liturgical. Of all the works I produce, I feel like these works reflect my improvisational style and my sense of humor.
And the beginning of the next volume of Miniatures starts with a piece titled Andante Religioso. The “religious” side of it was the idea of antiphony – each line has a sort of response. It’s a simple idea, but short pieces like these work well with simple ideas. Download the score on IMSLP here!