Chorale Partita II on "Vater Unser"

Composer Notes... A set of variations on the Chorale “Vater Unser” (“Our Father”). Dedicated to James Lawson. Composed 1967, revised 1988. The five movements are:

• Canto. The melody from V. Schumann’s Gesangbuch of 1539 in the Pedals. Key D minor.



• Toccata. This time the melody is set in an agitated fashion over a tonic Pedal.



• Intermezzo. Here the melody is given calmly in the major key.



• Back to D minor for the Bicinium. A two part setting with the melody in the Pedals again.



• A triumphant setting with the chorale in octaves in the major key and Cadenzas after each line in the early Baroque manner.