Prayer: An Offertory

This upload presents George Theophilus Walker’s (1922-2018) “Prayer: An Offertory” from Two Pieces for Organ (1996). Of note, he was the first African-American to receive a Pulitzer Prize for Music! A good write-up of his biography and example performances can be found here: https://songofamerica.net/composer/walker-george/

“Prayer” is not based on any specific hymn tune. It is, instead, a beautifully hypnotic, remembrance sort of piece, which he dedicated to his late grandmother. Walker uses limited resources and material in the piece, masterfully developing a chromatic step-wise, up-and-down, serpentine-like motif. The compositional abilities on display in this short piece are skillful, indeed. The full theme, which we only clearly hear once in one voice, the pedal, appears in a variety of forms throughout and transfers from one voice to another. It appears in diminution in the middle of the piece to build intensity with increased motion. No registration suggestions are given, only dynamic markings, which gives a performer a lot of flexibility, leeway, and ease for playing on practically any instrument, large or small. A wonderfully accessible work, this would make a good teaching piece for achieving molto legato and using the swell pedal, in addition to being very pretty.