Epitaph (2014, rev. 2024)
Organ
Duration:
6′
First Performance (original version):
4 November 2014
Roger Williams, King’s College Chapel, Aberdeen, UK as part of the 2014 Sound Festival
German Premiere (original version):
25 August 2019
Henning Rubach, Pfarrkirche St. Maria Magdalena, Rheinbreitbach, Germany
Score
Programme note
Epitaph is based around simple harmonic devices and fragments that are varied throughout. The work is significantly coloured by the minor ninth harmony which is present in all the key moments of the piece. Although elegiac in tone, there are plenty of moments of warmer more contemplative music in this work and is perhaps more optimistic than other organ works of mine that inhabit the same territory (Elegy, 2003; Lament; 2012). The work is dedicated to John Tavener – although Epitaph has little similarities with his work, there is something of the deep benevolence of his music that informs my work.
PAC
Recording
Epitaph (2014 - original version) by Phillip Cooke, performed by Roger Williams on the organ of King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 04 November 2014.
