Voluntary & Fugue: G. F. H. & B-A-C-H (2006)

David P. Dahl (b. 1937) — Voluntary & Fugue: G. F. H. & B-A-C-H (2006) for organ

This work is subtitled “G. F. Handel meets J. S. Bach”, and while Handel and Bach never met in person, their initials “meet” musically in this piece. In the opening “Diapason Voluntary” the two themes appear in every bar (transposed or inverted) until near the end when “the two composers meet.” The fugue’s subject contains the initials of both composers.

David P. Dahl (b. 1937) is Professor of Music and University Organist Emeritus at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, where he served on the music faculty for 30 years. Dahl is also the Director of Music Ministries Emeritus for Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma, where he worked as church musician for 40 years. He has been active as an organ consultant to churches and institutions throughout the Pacific Northwest and has designed the specifications of many mechanical action instruments. As a composer, Dahl has published several volumes of organ music through Augsburg Fortress.

Published by Zimbel Press in “David P. Dahl: An Organ Anthology” (http://store.subitomusic.com)