2 Preludes for Organ

When I think about our native brothers & sisters, the wars in the world, the fractured relationship between us and the USA, my heart sinks. What can a person do to support change? A difficult question. Being a composer, I do have the ability to create a gift, if you will, to all people, that of my 2 Preludes for Organ, aptly named: 

1. Reconciliation and 2. Conciliation 

These two organ works take their cues directly from their titles, inviting the listener to reflect on how we relate to one another.

Reconciliation engages with the idea of restoring fractured relationships. In a world — and a country — grappling with division, reconciliation begins with learning to understand one another. This prelude presents distinct musical ideas as gestures of introduction and exchange. When these ideas encounter others, they suggest the possibility of mutual understanding. Art has long served as a bridge between people, and this work embraces that role, offering music as a space where difference can be heard, acknowledged, and held together.

Conciliation moves more gently, exploring the integration of varied musical languages in a spirit of cooperation. Rather than responding to conflict, it imagines a world in which openness and mutual regard are present from the outset. In such a landscape, reconciliation becomes unnecessary — because conciliation has already done its quiet, sustaining work.

These pieces are meant to be enjoyed and shared. 

Tech stuff: 

You all know I like to share how I build my compositions. First, the musical ideas are in two parts. Then the instrument(s) to showcase these ideas: the organ. I purchased software for the organ from Spitfire Audio called Shakespeare’s Church Organ. This is what they say about it:

“The hallowed sound of the Holy Trinity Church pipe organ. 

In the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon, England, lies the Church of the Holy Trinity – a Grade I listed building with an incredible story. This spectacular historical site is where William Shakespeare, the most celebrated playwright in the English language, was baptized and is buried. In a unique collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), the magnificent and reverent sound of the pipe organ was captured, recording many total combinations in the glorious acoustics of the Holy Trinity church, and bringing it to life on stage for the production of Twelfth Night. A deeply moving instrument heard in church services over centuries, now the timeless and transformative voice of this historic organ can be used to evoke the poetic spirit of William Shakespeare into your own scores. 

From the organ’s 54 ranks, arranged into five divisions, we created the most characterful and commonly used registrations, providing composers and producers with a comprehensive range of authentic and inspirational organ sounds that sound equally at home in the theatre and in larger arrangements. The unique acoustics of the Holy Trinity Church were captured with three microphone positions, resulting in clarity through close miss, as well as a rich, distinctive sound imbued with both grandeur and an ethereal atmosphere that carries centuries of history within its resonance. 

The Holy Trinity Church organ, with its origins traced back before the Reformation, stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship. Developed and lovingly restored over centuries, it comprises an Upper Organ (housing the powerful Great and expressive Swell divisions, along with the foundational Pedal stops). The profound sound of the organ has resonated within this listed building’s walls for centuries – a witness to history, a voice of devotion. Now, it’s vast dynamic range, from the most intimate whispers to the commanding pronouncements of its full ensemble.” 

For more information, you can visit: spitfireaudio.com

The presets that I used in these pieces are: 

Reconciliation:  

Treble: Manual Full 

Bass: Manual – Diapason

Peddle: Peddle all 

Conciliation: 

Hi Reg: Manual Cornet 

Lo Reg: Soft Strings

Peddle: All (no reeds) 

I composed this piece using Dorico notation software, imported the midi into Logic Pro and then assigned the above to the sounds, and when all done, used Logics’ mastering. 

This piece has been distributed to all the digital outlets. You can hear it on Spotify.

You can hear a representation of the piece Reconciliation here on SoundCloud.

You can hear a representation of the piece Conciliation here on SoundCloud.

Notation is available on the CMC website.

Any question, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Landis   

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