Musica Phrygia simplex (1967)

Jan Elgarøy (1930–2018) — Musica Phrygia simplex (1967) for organ

1) Preludium
2) Pastorale
3) Toccatina

“Musica Phrygia simplex” (1967) is a triptych in which the Phrygian modal explorations take the music through many possible transpositions. In the opening “Preludium,” a lyric melody is heard with a transposing triadic accompaniment. After a middle chorale-like section, the melody returns, but instead of an expected melodic elaboration, the melody is actually a simpler form (hence the title of the overall work) of the original tune. The music then descends into the lowest register. In “Pastorale,” a triple-meter melody in the pure Phrygian mode is accompanied by undulating transposing harmonies. The closing “Toccatina” begins in the lower register with toccata figurations. A brief contrapuntal episode provides the transposition for a recapitulation of the opening material. The final coda moves back and forth between the movement’s two Phyrgian transpositions (on E and A) before concluding.

Norwegian composer and organist Jan Elgarøy (1930–2018) was born in Moss and was educated at the Conservatory in Oslo. He pursued additional studies with Albert de Klerk (in Haarlem) and Bedřich Janáček (in Lund). Elgarøy was organist of Lambertseter Church in Oslo from 1960 to 1992. He was also the organ professor at the University of Oslo. As a composer, Elgarøy wrote primarily for organ and choir. He served as the editor for the “Norsk Orgelbok” (Musikk-Husets Forlag A/S), a collection of organ works by many Norwegian composers. Elgarøy’s music is cast in a strongly modal style, including a use of modal mixture for expressive effect.

Published by Harald Lyche & Co. A/S (out-of-print)