Passacaglia and Fugue on a Theme of Walker - (2020)   

for organ

for James Walker

 

James' theme is a simple four-measure gesture which may be heard from the perspective of different harmonic domains, the most obvious being related as relative keys. For this, the domains implied are D minor and F major. The minor has the greater claim, of course, though the relative major, as at 19 and thereafter functions well. The theme as a ground bass is stated in the lowest octave, and then in octaves above, the counterpoint inverting as necessary. Registration changes are suggested by dynamic variations.

 

The short theme, as at right, was sent via email (which failed for some reason) and thereafter as a text message to a "smart" phone. Ah, progress, from day to a next day. 

 

 

 

The fugue restates the theme with ornamentation, and to prolong it is stated twice at the outset, the second with a countersubject. Episodes break the restatements in dominant and returns to the tonic, with stretti in various manners before a coda reprising the coda of the passacaglia.

 

8 pages, circa 8' 30" an MP3 demo is here: 

 

The score 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 organ score.

 

Passacaglia and Fugue on a Theme of Walker

A4