Minimal-Do-Sonata (2019)

Jan Mannee (b. 1962) — Minimal-Do-Sonata (2019) for organ

1) Prelude
2) Intermezzo
3) Toccata

"Minimal-Do-Sonata" (2019) is a sonata that employs elements of musical minimalism (particularly repeated patterns) and is largely in the key of C (“Do”). The opening “Prelude” is built around four harmonies that repeat for the entire movement. The rhythmic structure is built around patterns that decrease in length (from 8 to 7 to 6 to 5). “Intermezzo” is a quiet, lyric interlude. The work concludes with the lively “Toccata.” The "Do" of the title also refers to the “Do-organ” of the Orgelkids project, where students can assemble a working mechanical pipe organ from a kit within a short period of time as an educational endeavor. The resulting organ has two stops (4′, 2′) and a range of about two octaves (C3, D3-C5; 24 notes), and this sonata can be played on this organ.

Composer and organist Jan Mannee (b. 1962) was born in Barneveld, Netherlands. He studied organ at the Utrecht Conservatory and played church services for several years in Ermelo. At a young age he started composing, initially for the organ but later, when he became a singer of Kleinkoor Caprice, also for choir. This choir has celebrated a Ceremony of Lessons and Carols for more than 30 years. For this event, Mannee has arranged and composed a significant number of Christmas carols, most of them scored for choir and orchestra. Among his other choral works are two settings of the Magnificat. In 2012, Mannee recorded a CD of his own organ compositions on the Pels en van Leeuwen organ in Venhuizen. He has pursued music primarily as an avocation, working as well in the health care sector and information technology field.