Listen to Riccardo Bonci performing Toccata, Adagio and Fugue on 14th October 2006 at St John the Evangelist, Islington

Toccata, Adagio & Fugue (2005)

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue was composed in 2005. The work fuses baroque and classical architecture with contemporary harmony and rhythmic intensity. Programmatically, the Toccata addresses the majesty of Palm Sunday; the Adagio the agony of Crucifixion; and the Fugue the promise of Resurrection. The aura of Palm Sunday was not a stately procession with controlled shouts of “Hosanna,” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” It was velocity, fanfare, and celebration. The Toccata begins with a proclamation played on the manuals, followed by a solo that requires the participation of both feet on the pedals. Manuals and pedals then come together and take the Toccata to an ending that does not really conclude. The agony and gloom of Crucifixion is captured in a bitonal round that continually spins itself out in three voices, building to a climatic peak, and suddenly returning to a tone of reflection. Awe and mystery are captured in the Adagio. Easter is the most holy and important day in Christendom. Victory over death and the vicissitudes of life are declared. A lilting and jiglike triple fugue brings the power of this reality into focus. Episodic statements homophonically look back at the magic of Palm Sunday. The work ends peacefully. All is well. Thematically, Toccata, Adagio and Fugue is rooted in the rich traditional folkmusic of the African American nation. “Ride On, King Jesus,” “They Led My Lord Away,” “Surely He Died On Calvary,” and “Did You Hear When Jesus Rose,” again come forth with possibility.

Duration: 5 minutes
Available from: Jomar Press
Price: £4.50

Listen to Dr Cheatham talking on WUWM about having his Toccata, Adagio and Fugue selected and performed at the October 2006 AFNOM Festival in London