John Ellis
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Concert Waltz (2005)

Large numbers of "big" organ pieces were written at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries for use in Organ Concert settings in Great Britain: Works by Alfred Hollins and others come to mind, composed in a number of styles, Concert Minuets, Grand Choeur, Marches etc. These stimulated me to attempt to provide an "easy listening" equivalent for more modern (but not too modern!) ears, and hence this work was generated. This composition won First Prize in the Inches Carr Trust Organ Composition Competition in association with the Edinburgh Organ Academy in 2004, and received its first performance at St Giles Cathedral by Gordon Stewart. A short introduction leads to the statement of the main theme which then is supplanted by another but the original returns to a more complex accompaniment (meno mosso). Punctuated chords lead to the middle section which is based around quaver triplets, with new thematic fragments exchanged between manuals and pedals. A gradual crescendo then ensues, culminating in a loud maestoso (recapitulation) section and a restful coda.

Listen to Robin Walker performing Concert Waltz on 6th October 2007 at St Dominic's Priory

Duration: 8 minutes
Available from: Animus music publishing
Price: £4.00

Variations on Veni Emmanuel (2003)

This tune comes from a 15th century French manuscript, and there are many adaptations of it in British Hymn books. It is a popular Advent Hymn, each verse ending expectantly with the words, "Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel." I was keen to ensure significant contrast in style and registration between each movement, and in that sense it can be played as a piece showing off the resources of a particular instrument, without (hopefully) subtracting from the undoubted stature of the original music. After the statement of the theme, there are six variations: Allegretto - A syncopated pattern of reed chords provide the background to the tune on diapasons. Scherzetto - There is a canonic duet between the flutes, with fragmentary interjections on the pedals. Molto Moderato - The retroverted theme is mirrored by a canon at the octave on solo registration. Poco Largo - Here the tune is transformed into an extended cantabile. Adagio - The pedal, at 4 foot pitch, plays thematic fragments against a "string" background. Fantasia - This is a "Postlude" type finale, ending joyously.

Listen to Robin Walker performing Variations on Veni Emmanuel on 20th October 2007 at St John the Evangelist Islington

Duration: 11 minutes
Available from: Animus music publishing
Price: £5.00