Abendlied, Op. 32

Henry Hackett (1872-1940) was an organist in Bearwood, Kenilworth, Bideford, Burton-on-Trent and West Bromwich, and was a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. Hackett was a regular contributor to the journal, "The Organ Loft," where this pieces appears as No. 236. It was published by the Vincent Music Co. Ltd. in 1911.

In planning ahead for works I hope to do, I always look for "filler works," which I can do in a short time. This does not imply that these "fillers" are of poor quality, but merely that I can successfully do them in a day or so.

When I came across this piece, I also came across the "Abendlied" by Edward Harper, so, it was my intention to present a comparison of these two "Evening Song" pieces.

Like Harper's piece, this one certainly belongs to the late romantic period. It is probably the more "conventional" of the two "Abendlieds," but to be honest, I found this one the more appealing.

The style of the music is certainly salon-like, but the writing is warm and colorful, and sounds to excellent effect on the Peterborough Hill.

It is also the more "technical" of the two pieces, as it features an extended section of "thumbing down," designed to create 3 distinctive sounds played by 2 hands on 3 separate manuals. The "thumbed part" is played upon a 4' flute, so it sounds an octave higher than it actually is.

The form is A-B-A, but the music is so "nice," that I think you'll be lost in the sonic, rather than thinking of the formal aspects of it!

I'm glad in particular to have come across the work. :-)

The score is attached below, with the "Abendlied" beginning on page 15/147, as well as a photo of Henry Hackett.