Toccata No. 4, “Hommage à Stig Gustav Schönberg” (1983)

Thomas Åberg (b. 1952) — Toccata No. 4, “Hommage à Stig Gustav Schönberg” (1983) for organ

“Toccata No. 4” (1983) was composed in tribute to the Swedish composer and organist Stig Gustav Schönberg who had been Åberg’s composition teacher from 1981–83. Near the end of that period, Åberg was asked to compose something for a 50th birthday concert in Schönberg’s honor held in Vaxholms kyrka. The pieces in Åberg’s extensive toccata cycle vary in character, and this work is one of several Swedish-style “stylus phantasticus” toccatas where a free alternation of contrasting sections all develop related musical material in both an expressive and virtuosic manner. The three-note theme of the toccata is introduced at the outset (C-F-G). This is developed throughout both rhythmically and with different harmonic contexts, often with modal shifts and juxtapositions.

Thomas Åberg (b. 1952) was born in Stockholm, Sweden and works there as composer and concert organist. Most of his works are written for the organ and are often characterized by their rhythmic joy, simplicity, and humor. He has stated that “music must bring enjoyment, without abandoning reverence,” and as such his style often uses the most basic of musical materials to create a discourse that is both spiritual and visceral. Åberg’s music speaks with a distinctly Swedish voice and emotional aesthetic, and since the early 1980s his works have become an important part of the Scandinavian organ literature. His music has been performed by organists at festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and the USA. He also tours regularly worldwide as concert organist with his own works. In December 2012, Carson Cooman released a CD (Legends in the Garden) devoted to Åberg’s organ compositions and also has recorded more than 60 other Åberg works for YouTube.

Published by Noteria (http://www.noteria.se)