Ten Meditations on Hymn Melodies (Nos.1-5)

Joseph Waddell Clokey (1890-1960) These works were published in 1954, and there is a significant difference in style between these pieces, and the previous ones that I have uploaded. The use of dissonance is more significant, and while there are certainly similarities with his earlier works, these are concise, and even "angular" at times.

1. "Rendez a Dieu" is in the unexpected key of A major. Clokey writes "Legato and undulating" at the start, and he carries this idea throughout the piece. The melody appears in the pedals in long notes, and there is an almost "Gershwin-like" feel to the harmonies and obbligato, played on the Swell Hautboy.

2. "Psalm 124" is to be played "moderately in a singing manner". Written in the key of D minor, it features the melody in the right hand, played upon the Violoncello of the Solo, against a flowing accompaniment, and a pizzicato pedal, played on the 16' Open Wood.

3. "Heinlein" is written in D Minor, and is marked "Mysteriously". It starts out with a "sort of canon at the fifth" between the Pedal and the left hand, which plays the melody on the Cor Anglais of the Solo an octave higher. The second verse makes use of the 8' stops of the Swell. In the third verse, Clokey seems to be making a "gesture" towards a "coloratura" prelude, and the cantus is played on the Orchestral Oboe 8' and the Flute Harmonique 4' with tremulant on the Solo. For the last verse, the Swell strings are used, and the key changes to D major.

4. "On an old Carol" is in A minor, and comes without tempo markings. It features a variety of colors in dialogue. I have to admit that I do not know which "old carol" this based on!

5. "Rochelle" is written in G major, and marked "Cheerfully, with moderate motion". Hear you will hear the Solo Clarinet again, the Swell strings and the Great Flutes at 8'4' pitch. At the final verse, the super coupler is added to the Swell strings.