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Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

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100 Sacred Choral

Psalm 67 Deus miseratur

Psalm 98 Cantate Domino

Christians to the Paschal Victim

Christ is now Risen again

Chanticleer

Audio & Video. Dirksen’s notated half-note=96 is unplayable – he’s merely saying NOT TOO SLOW.  But the circumstances of its composition actually dictate the tempo: the performance should be exactly 2′ 30″!  Also – don’t miss the Choral Arts Society’s orchestral version here as well.

For this cause I bow my knees

His first ‘outside’ commission – from St. Albans Church, next door on the Close.

A Child, My Choice

His most well-known and well-beloved carol. SATB a capella, simplicity itself.

Psalm for Christmas Day

Audio & Video. One of the editor’s TOP FIVE works.  How DID those troops of angels come down??

A Prayer for Healers

Hilariter

Audio & Video. For Easter Day.  The B section is one of Dirksen’s longest and most effective build-ups to a shattering climax. It’s also a dandy timpani solo. Now back in print by Jubilate Music Group!

Welcome all wonders

Audio & Video. Written in 1957, the same year as Daniel Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata, the two pieces share vivid brass writing and intense rhythmic energy alternating with lyric beauty.  This exists in many forms: Organ and brass, full orchestra, winds only…there’s even an arrangement for SSAA choir.

Yet Even Now Saith the Lord

For Lent.

A Christmas Lullaby

Run, Shepherds, run

FIVE MOTETS

These five Latin motets, along with the two sets of canons were written at various times for the men of Cathedral Choir to sing in the summers when the boys were away.  This entry has all available recordings, plus a sizzling video from George Steel’s VOX in concert at the Guggenheim Museum.

Jam sol recedit

Jesu, Rex admirabilis

Tua Jesu dilectio

Hodie, Christus natus est

Accende, Lumen sensibus

Nowell sing we, now all and some

Alleluia, A Newe Work is Come

From the 1961 York Cycle Play music.  Also available as a movement in the 1965 Suite for Organ, Trumpet and Handbells (D. 513).

Night

A haunting major / minor nocturne, suitable for unison or solo voices with optional flute obbligato.

THREE ANTHEMS

These were commissioned by Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Wilmington, Delaware.

Hear my crying

Cantate Domino

Lamb of God, the Heavens adore thee

The Nativity

Audio & Video. Another one of my TOP FIVE works.  The flute obbligato positively sparkles.

A Holy Charivari

Composed for the wedding of John Fenstermaker, then Assistant Organist at the Cathedral.  Flute, handbells, harpsichord, finger cymbals…. 6/4 alternating with 3/2….what’s not to like?

O God of Beauty, oft revealed

Theme is from Stravinsky’s Firebird, for a special dedication service.

Song of Mary at the Manger

Audio & Video. Running out of TOP FIVE slots, but this Auden setting is profoundly moving: Why was I chosen to teach his Son to weep?  The ending of the organ version makes it preferable.

I sing the birth

A True Hymn

Really a sacred song – text by George Herbert – with optional obbligato instrument. For this commission Dirksen received ‘a case of excellent wine.’

At break of day

This complex piece finds Dirksen systematically working out change ringing bell motifs at length as well as exploring his ongoing fascination with mixed and hemiola rhythms. The attached score is regrettably partial.

Blessed art Thou (Elizabeth’s Song from the Annunciation Story)

Audio & Video. A solo song from The Annunciation Story.

Give thanks unto the Lord (Bonum est confiteri)

Bless the Father 

God of our life

Deer Walk upon our mountains

Psalm 24 – The Earth is the Lord’s

Commissioned by Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church for their 50th Anniversary in 1974.

A Wedding Prayer

Father, in thy gracious keeping

Ineffably sweet.  It ends in A major, a half-step down from where is starts.  The orchestral double-reed / horn / string accompaniment is deluxe and has a gorgeous violin descant for the fourth verse.

A Christmas Gloria

Gifts for the Holy Child – Saint petit enfant

Welcome Happy Morning

Audio & Video. This nine-minute mini-cantata sets the complete Fortunatas text with organ, brass & timpani and would make a great addition to an Easter concert. Score+audio presentation is here, but it awaits a definitive recording.

Carol of the Angels

Thank we all, Our God

The Knights of God

Audio & Video. Alternates the 1940 plainsong for The eternal gifts of Christ the King with rushing horsemen on white horses.  A commission from Frank Boles and St. Paul’s, Indianapolis.

Come, O come our voices raise

Cantate Domino Canticum Novum

The Christ Child lay on Mary’s lap

A sweet a capella carol with Dirksen’s added verse bringing it up to date.

Sing Ye Faithful

Audio & Video His last – and by his own estimation, best – anthem. The closing Queens Change bell effect is a charming farewell gesture.

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