Hommage an Thomas Morus (2010)

Andreas Willscher (b. 1955) — Hommage an Thomas Morus (2010) for organ

1. Chimes
2. Communion
3. Halleluja

The triptych “Hommage an Thomas Morus” (2010) was written for the 25th anniversary celebrations of St. Thomas Morus Church in Rostock-Evershagen, Germany. The work evokes the life of English Catholic Thomas More (1478–1535), for whom the church is named; in particular, the bell theme of the famous Westminster chimes runs throughout.

German composer and organist Andreas Willscher (b. 1955) studied composition, theory, and organ in his native Hamburg. In 1971 he was appointed organist of the St. Francis Church in Hamburg and in 2000 at the church of St. Joseph-Wandsbek. In addition, he has been keyboardist for several jazz and rock ensembles. Willscher has received many awards and commissions for his compositions, which range widely in form: from symphonic music and oratorios to cabaret and rock scores. His organ works are very diverse, ranging from large-scale post-tonal pieces to some that blend elements of the traditional repertoire with contemporary jazz and pop influences. In addition to his own composition and performing activities, Willscher has published a number of literary and scientific articles in journals and encyclopedias and has been very active in collecting and preserving lost and forgotten music from earlier eras. In 2015, in honor of his 60th birthday and life’s work as a musician, he was awarded the Johann Wenzel Stamitz Prize from the Arts Guild of Esslingen.