Ten Preludes based on Plainsong Kyries (Nos. 1-5)

The "10 Preludes based upon Plainsong Kyries" was published by Harold Flammer in 1957, so, these would come very late in Joseph Clokey's (1890-1960) output.

In the preface, he states that "decorative effects such as Vox Humana, Harp, Chimes and Tremulant, are in appopriate, and should not be used."

Uh oh... ;-)

Actually, I think that these "effects" when "properly used" are completely within the spirit of CLokey's music, often resulting in performances that are almost hypnotic. See what you think.

Adding to my "sin of effects" I've intoned the gregorian melodies as given by Clokey upon the Carillon - which I find to be suprememly beautiful. The fact that these "intonations", which are probably NOT intended to be played, but merely to show the theme, are alsmot always not in the "same key" as the pieces, is something I let stand "as is", except in a few cases, where I found that I really had to transpose the "Carillon theme" into the piece key, or else damage the musical results. I didn't "forget" to transpose the others, I just chose not to. Here again, the listener will have to decide whether my decisions were good or bad.

Each prelude is given "options" for performance, in addition to a Sentence from scripture, which may be read and/or sung or omitted.

The score is attached.

As in other instances, I have combined numbers 1-5 and 6-10 in order to save space on the Concert Hall.

1 (0:00) "O Pater excelse" - "The Lord is in His Holy Temple" (General Use)

2 (2:50) "Firmator Sancte" - "I was glad" (General Use)

3 (4:57) "Jesu Redemptor" - "O send out Thy Light" (General Use)

4 (7:45) "In Adventus" - "Prepare ye the Way" (Advent)

5 (10:40) "Kyrie magnae Deus" - "Behold, I bring you glad tidings (Christmas)