Joseph Waddell Clokey (1890-1960).
6. "On a French Noel" written in D minor, is marked "Very simply, in the manner of a folk song", and this is how I have tried to play it. I've "kept it French", so the only registrations used are Swell Vox Humana, and the Clarabella of the Great.
7. "On the Eighth Tone" is in A major and marked "Brightly and with motion". This isn't a hymn-prelude, but uses the 8th Gregorian Psalm Tone" as the subject material. This tone is often associated with "happy psalms". The music is attractive, and builds up to a fairly large conclusion.
8. "Veni Creator" is in B-flat and marked "Moderately and with motion". It is really only an harmonization of the plainsong melody.
9. "Liebster Jesu" is in G Major, and marked "Moderately and in a singing manner". The dark colors of the Salisbury organ are wonderful, but in order to get some relief, I used the Stopped Diapason 8' and the Flute Couverete 4' of the Great, and was very pleased with the outcome.
10. "Veni Emmanuel" is written in E minor, and marked to be played "With sturdy rhythm" as its only direction. A straight-forward intro leads to a series of dialogues between the 8' & 4' stops of the Swell against that beautiful Solo Clarinet. The writing is quite dissonant, and often "hints" at the melody, rather than actually "stating" it. There is a brief transition to the key of E major, and to me, this felt like sunlight breaking into a dark room! The minor tonality returns, and a powerful buildup occurs. I worked it all the way up to full organ, with the 32' reed appearing on the final chord. While I wouldn't call this piece "difficult," it is by no means easy. If you choose to play this one, don't get trapped into thinking that it doesn't "look hard" or feel that you can start it the night before you play it. Be warned! If you do, you may find a few nasty surprises in this one... ;-)
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