Thomas Gurin, Carillonneur

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Raleigh, North Carolina

Recorded October 14, 2020/Premiered October 20, 2020 I.

Partita in B-flat, BWV 825 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Published in 1726, Bach's Keyboard Partita No. 1 in B-flat would have originally been performed on a harpsichord. According to the composer, the piece is intended for “Gemüths Ergötzung," which translates to "edification of the spirit."

Lute Suite in G-minor, BWV 995 J.S. Bach

Contemporary music critic Eric Siblin has called this mysterious piece "a meditation that stands outside time." From BWV 995, this movement was originally composed for Lute. However, Bach reused it in his BWV 1011 Suite for .

Bist du bei mir, BWV 508 J.S. Bach arr. Ronald Barnes

"Be Thou Near Me" from the Book uses a timeless melody that Bach borrowed from Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel’s 1718 opera Diomedes. American carillonneur Ronald Barnes arranged this version on March 21, 1984—Bach's 299th birthday.

II. Comparisons

Chaconne in F Johann K.F. Fischer (1665-1746) arr. Bernard Winsemius (1685-1750)

Johann K.F. Fischer was born in 1656. Although relatively little is known about his life, he was (and is) considered to be one of the most imaginative composers of his time. He is responsible for bringing French influences into the German Baroque style. Fischer originally composed this chaconne for organ; Dutch organist and carillonneur Bernard Winsemius arranged the version on this program for carillon.

*Preludio 10 Matthias van den Gheyn (1721-1785)

Equally known for his work as organist in Leuven, Belgium, Matthias van den Gheyn (1721-85) also invented the carillon texture that many composers still use today. Sensitive to bells' thick overtone structures and indefinite sustain (once struck, they cannot be muted), van den Gheyn composed his virtuosic Preludios as series of harmonic clouds. In general, his colorful style is

2 | Sacred Music Series Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral most comparable to that of C.P.E. Bach, whose definite interest in the works of Johann K.F. Fischer is well documented.

Prelude Claude Debussy (1862-1918) arr. Jef Rottiers

Listeners might recognize this melody as one of Debussy's most famous compositions. Originally published in 1910, this version was arranged by the late carillonneur and composer from Belgium, Jef Rottiers.

*Image No. 2 Emilien Allard (1915-1976)

Emilien Allard (1915-76) was a Canadian carillonneur and composer, and was one of the leading figures in twentieth-century carillon music. Listen for commonalities between this Quebecois composition and the Prélude by French Debussy.

III. Ite Missa Est

Fantasia on Ite missa est Piet van den Broek (1916-2008)

Based on the Gregorian Chant "Ite Missa Est," this fantasy displays the carillon at its most exuberant. Piet van den Broek was Director of the Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" in Mechelen, Belgium.

*Irish Air Geert D’Hollander (b.1965)

Belgo-American carillonneur and composer Geert D'Hollander is one of the leading figures in contemporary carillon music. This original carillon composition was composed in 2005.

Amazing Grace Traditional arr. Ronald Barnes

Barnes' take on Amazing Grace is unique in that it suddenly modulates from the key of F major to the key of A-flat major, and then back again. On any other instrument, this would be unusual. Why does Barnes choose these keys? F and A-flat are related to each other by a minor third, which is a very special interval for bells. More specifically, when an F bell is struck, it also produces a noticeable A-flat in the background. This special property of bells means that minor thirds sound particularly harmonious in carillon music.

*Originally composed for carillon.

Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral Sacred Music Series } 3

UPCOMING MUSIC EVENTS AT HOLY NAME OF JESUS

Due to COVID-19 some of our events may be offered virtually. Follow us on social media and our web- site to get the most up-to-date information.

This season’s artists include:

David Danielson Eaton, Organ

November 17, 2020 7:30pm

SACRED MUSIC SERIES HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHEDRAL 2020-2021