Reflection on "Christ lag in Todesbanden" - (2008) 
for organ
for Kirk Meyer
For the purposes of composing for organ, I had examined software options for the use of the many fine wave format organ samples available. Many amateur organists have stated their enthusiasm for the commercial organ emulation from Crummhorn Labs in England. This software employs encrypted sound files in its later versions and offers users fine graphics as among its many features. But for my purposes, such software was expensive. Kloria Publishing offers freely their MyOrgan program under a GNU General Public License (GPL), and this with the purchase of some sound samples from various vendors has proven more than enough to satisfy my needs as a composer. In writing a thank you to Kirk Meyer at Kloria, he responded to the notion of a piece composed for him with -- "One of my favorite hymn tunes is "Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands" (Christ lag in Todesbanden)." As Bach has given many harmonizations of this hymn tune, I chose to make a reflection on the overall sweep of these various versions with decorative inner voices, a changing meter between four and five, and the recurrent reference to false cadences in various guises.
[ 5 pages, circa 6' 25" ]
Kirk Meyer
Born in Golden, Colorado, Kirk Meyer began piano instruction at age four. He has attended Martin Luther College, studying organ with Wayne Wagner and piano with Mrs. Bethel Balge. He has accompanied recitals, played in orchestras, composed music, and played piano and organ at many churches. Meyer currently resides in Mankato, Minnesota. In addition to his albums available at http://www.kloria.com/, he also concertizes across the United States, specializing in impromptu and improvisational playing. He writes that he is now married and travels for concerts with his
wife, Lawanda.
MyOrgan is a software sampler designed specifically for the simulation of pipe organs. It is specially optimized for minimal latency and high polyphony, even with meager hardware. Stops, couplers, pistons, and more can be activated with a familiar layout. Its download and additional information may be found at: http://myorgan.sourceforge.net/
The entire work is here, 
, an MP3 file [ 6.14 MB, 6' 40" ]
The score for Reflection on "Christ lag in Todesbanden" is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.
Reflection on "Christ lag in Todesbanden"
