Improvisation - Toccata on the "Tonus Peregrinus"

So, we come to the end of "Today's Titcomb Trio!" FINALLY... ;-)

This piece, "Improvisation - Toccata on the 'Tonus Peregrinus'" was published in 1962 by Harold Flammer, and is dedicated: "To my friend, Ray Berry", who I believe was heavily involved with the American Guild of Organists.

"So, what's the 'Tonus Peregrinus'?" you might ask... (Well, you might...)

Well, in addition to the eight psalm tones associated with the eight musical modes, there is a ninth psalm tone called the tonus peregrinus, or "wandering tone," which uses a reciting tone of A for the first part of the psalm verse and a G for the second half.
By custom and tradition, the TP is usually associated with Psalm 114 (In exitu Israel) which is the "Psalm of the Exodus". (FULL TEXT below).

You'll notice that the psalm talks about images of "skipping" and "trembling" - light and heavy - and BOTH of these elements are present here. In parts, this is much more like a scherzo than a toccata.

Improvisatory in nature, there is a good FORWARD PUSH to the piece, and it works itself up to a grand conclusion. Be sure to WAIT for that FINAL chord... ;-)

This registration is MUCH grander than what the composer could have used, but, this one REALLY works on the Old Willis... ;-)

Here is the full text of Psalm 114:

Psalm 114. In exitu Israel

1. When Israel came out of Egypt : and the house of Jacob from among the strange people,
2. Judah was his sanctuary : and Israel his dominion.
3. The sea saw that, and fled : Jordan was driven back.
4. The mountains skipped like rams : and the little hills like young sheep.
5. What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest : and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?
6. Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams : and ye little hills, like young sheep?
7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord : at the presence of the God of Jacob;
8. Who turned the hard rock into a standing water : and the flint-stone into a springing well.