Time for some organ music! Here are the two Lenten preludes I love the most.
Both are based on hymn tunes, and both work on small organs.
But one is easy peasy, and one has my highschool-self’s favorite thing: double pedal!
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“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” / ROCKINGHAM OLD arr. Robert A. Hobby,
This arrangement is in the style of an ornament chorale prelude.
It’s quite short (about a minute), so if I want a longer piece, I will play it twice and alter the ornamented the second time through.
It’s also a great way to showcase a quieter solo stop.
Here’s a link to the sheet music for “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” arr. Robert A. Hobby in Six Preludes for the Church Year
“My Faith Looks Up to Thee” / OLIVET arr. Mark C. Jones
Talk about lush. The pedals carry the melody, first in a single line, then in double pedal on the second verse.
Registration is very easy – strings/celestes in the hands, solo 4’ flute or light diapason in the pedal.
There’s also a gorgeous modulation between the verses (How often does that happen?! So often they’re tacky, but this one is beautiful and gets you into a comfortable key for the double pedal stanza.)
Here’s a link to the sheet music for “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” arr. Mark C. Jones inThree Lenten Hymn Meditations
What’s Lenten pieces do you love? There’s still time to get some new music before the season begins!
GEMS is a series devoted to continual delights—music, books, and other things that bring joy, year after year.
