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Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

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Works

Craig Windham reminiscence

Run slowly, horses of the night (from The Ballad of Dr. Faustus)

1971 Summer Festival final report

Letters to Freeport

Priceless descriptions of his life in those years, including his very first Easter Day at WNC.

Around the throne

802.7 Jonah – Final Hymn

The Linden Branch

The Stuff of Life

Let us with a gladsome mind

Benjamin Britten – War Requiem

Benedicite, Omnia Opera

Three Songs of Prayer and Praise

The Temper

Setting of Herbert’s poem for SATB, orchestra, piano solo, and five (5) chanting choirs. Composed for the 60th anniversary of the National Cathedral School and involving all 380 students.

The Fiery Furnace

Composed for the Dedication of the Cathedral’s South Transept. This addition of space led to a dramatic disposition of forces: The school Glee Clubs with fanfare trumpets in the North Transept balcony; the Men & Boys Choir with chamber orchestra in the South balcony, and the full Choral Society with organ and timpani in the Great Choir.

A Song for Simeon

Composed upon the death of T. S. Eliot in February 1965. A setting of his “Song for Simeon”.

Treasure Chest

“Captain Kidd buried treasure / as most pirates usually do.” The text by a NCS 4th grade student struck Wayne’s fancy.

Jonah

Seven movement oratorio with libretto from the Book of Jonah and Father Mapple’s sermon in Melville’s Moby Dick.

Faith of Our Fathers

A symphonic pageant written for the sesquicentennial of the District of Columbia and to open Carter Barron Amphitheater.

The Flamingo Hat

Complete show here. Set in Colonial Georgetown, an enchanted hat causes havoc.

The Houseboat on the Styx

Based on a whimiscal novel by John Kendrick Bangs, the shades of famous men and women vie for control of an elegant club on the River Styx.

The Rose and the Ring

Complete show here.From an 1854 Christmas Pantomime of William Makepeace Thackery. Magical tokens cause the holders to love or be loved, bringing personal and political problems to the kingdom of Crim Tartary.

Tularosa

Complete show here. A large New Mexican ranch secedes from the Union over 1960s political issues.

Houseboat

Complete show here plus videos below. This re-write of the 1957 show adds star turns for Sherlock Holmes, Captain Kidd and Lucretia Borgia.

Houseboat 7 from Mark Dirksen on Vimeo.

Incidental music for Galileo Galilei

Brecht’s play includes poetic quatrains before each scene as well as a marvelous “Ballad of the Orders” mocking society stratification. A humanist and satirical masterpiece. Audio includes music cues as well as Dirksen’s own digest of the full show.

The Ballad of Dr. Faustus

Christopher Marlowe’s Faust is transplanted to the American frontier. Videos below, music cues also posted.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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!

Psalm 89:1–18

Psalm 89:19–29

Psalm 95

Psalm 100

Psalm 118 (1928)

Psalm 121

Psalm 122

Psalm 145

A Birthday Prayer for Norman Scribner

Psalm 26

Psalm 33:12–22

Psalm 46

This singular work is really a through-composed setting of the psalm in Anglican Chant style inspired by the re-scansion of the Psalm in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. “Be still then, and know that I am God,” is utterly convicting.

Psalm 64

Psalm 65

Psalm 82:19-28

Psalm 2 (1928)

Psalm 8

Psalm 8 (1928)

Psalm 11

Psalm 13

Psalm 23

The Church’s One Foundation

Praise the Spirit

Christ is alive

When Jesus died to save us

Humbly I Adore Thee

Adore te, devote receives a comprehensive Dirksen makeover: 1) it’s in 7/8 throughout, 2) the middle verses are backward, in minor, 3) verse 3 goes to E-flat minor for the Lord’s own death, 4) ends with a sweet simple AMEN.

Where cross the crowded ways of life

I bind unto myself today

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

Immortal, Invisible

ANGLICAN CHANTS

In 1978 The Right Reverend John T. Walker succeeded William F. Creighton as Bishop of Washington and asked that the newly approved Book of Common Prayer (1979) be used exclusively for all cathedral services unless he gave permission for exceptions in specific circumstances. Immediately, the twenty or more psalms sung in the Offices each month had to be pointed, and suitable chants adapted or created since the translations were completely different from the earlier prayer book. During the next two years new chants were written for the following psalms. My own theories of pointing were developed for them. They are meant for choir performance; none are for congregational use. Some are triple chants, the rest double, often irregular (irr.) in rhythmic treatment and harmonically sophisticated. Antiphons (ant.) are added where the text invites their use.

Psalm 2

Word of God, come down on earth

Rob Lehmann did a sophisticated and lovely arrangement of this tune for his choir at St. Michael & St. George, St. Louis during the 2020-21 pandemic.

You are the Christ

Praise the Spirit in Creation

God beyond all human praises

What does the Lord require

Glorious things of thee are spoken

Praise my soul

Christ is the World’s true light

Christ whose Glory Fills the Skies

Lord Christ, when first thou camest

Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart

Blessed God, our great Creator

Hearken to the anthem

Praise the Lord, rise up

Praise the Spirit

Surely it is God

Glory be to God, the highest

The whole bright world (Hilariter)

We limit not the truth

We the Lord’s people

We will extol you

When Jesus died to save us

Here, o my Lord

In the cross of Christ

All Glory, Laud, and Honor

All Who love and serve your city

Christ, Mighty Savior – INNISFREE FARM

Christ, Mighty Savior (DESCANT)

My soul rejoices

Come, let us with the Lord arise

Give us the wings of faith

Glory, love and praise

Lord of Wisdom, God of Mercy

O Jesus Christ, our Lord most dear

Christ is made the sure foundation

Always open this tune with the dotted rhythm, and D-flat is strongly preferred.

Thy strong Word

Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart

Come, we that love the Lord

Lift up your heads, O gates

O God our source of truth

God of our life

Lord of Light, whose name

Introit, Fanfare and Hymn

Magnificat & Nunc dimittis

Christ our Passover

Dirksen’s first and perhaps most famous piece premiered as a Gradual at the 11 am service on Easter Day, 1948.  Back in print from Jubilate Music Group!

Blessed art thou, O Lord God

Jubilate Deo

Audio & Video Dirksen’s first published work (1960) bears several life-long trademarks: A “scattered” introduction which sets mood & tempo but not theme; far-flung harmonies suavely coming and going (E-flat minor in a D minor piece), and the first of many lovely Amens (compare the end of his late F#-minor Mag and Nunc).  Also of note: the sotto voce Gloria mimics the traditional liturgical bow at that point in the canticle.

Christ our Passover – Liturgical, Unison

Exsultet

NOT the 1979 BCP text.  The interpolated “Christ has died / Christ is risen” make it inappropriate in its current Vigil spot but it could be used to good effect AFTER the Easter proclamation.

Song of the Redeemed

Dirksen compliments Her Majesty by incorporating “The Queens Change” in the Gloria Patri.  He uses it in his final anthem Sing, ye faithful as well.

A Song to the Lamb

I will sing to the Lord

Preces & Responses Rite I – Trebles only

Come, let us sing unto the Lord

Be Joyful in the Lord all ye lands

You are God

Te Deum “Grosse Pointe”

Full score & video. The earlier of his two settings starts with brilliant Dirksen fanfares and the traditional plainsong but also contains a sweeping Great Procession for the Apostles, Prophets & Martyrs.  It ends very dark with a Requiem quote and solemn gong.  His 1996 Te Deum “Lexington” is smoothly through-composed and much sunnier.

Surely it is God

The first of the Three Songs of Isaiah, BCP Canticles 9-11. The gentle modal theme lent itself to canonic treatment, but the work unfolds into dramatic eight-part choral fanfares.  Dirksen re-worked the tune into two hymns: Surely it is God who saves me (ISAIAH’S SONG) with the Carl Daw text, and Glory be to God, the Highest (GIBBS HALL), his own paraphrase of the Gloria in Excelsis.

Seek the Lord

The second of the Three Songs of Isaiah is a choral scherzo.  Dirksen omitted the Gloria Patris from these canticles but couldn’t resist adding a characteristic AMEN to this one.

Arise, shine

The first two Songs of Isaiah are a capella.  This one adds the organ with heraldic flourishes for the Great Organ’s Trompette en Chamade.  The phrase lengths in this canticle are Brahmsian in their sweep & length.  He brings back themes from the first two Songs to excellent effect, and the B-major ending is one of his most thrilling.

Glory be to God, the highest

Three-verse paraphrase of the Gloria.  Give Allein Gott a break!

Exsultet

Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in F# minor

Full score & video.

Te Deum “Lexington”

Full score & video.

Communion Service in E minor – Rite I

Score & video.  The Gloria is in my TOP THREE Dirksen pieces.  Less than three minutes long, it opens with a liturgical joke and ends with an explosive Amen.  Note his tempo!

Communion Service in E major – Rite I

Full scores & videos. By 1960 Dirksen had participated in Easter services at the Cathedral for 15 years and knew the forces intimately.  This grand Mass features exceptionally brilliant writing for the brass and timpani, ground-breaking mixed meters (13/8 notoriously raised the choir’s eyebrows), and in the Agnus Dei some of his spookiest writing for the organ.  It’s also noteworthy that two movements of a Mass in E major end on F# (Kyrie, Benedictus).  That uncanny whole-tone lift comes a shock each time but prefigures the Gloria’s triumphant final modal cadence from D to E. He also orchestrated it for double wind quartet after the Stravinsky Mass.

Communion Service in G Major –  Rite I

This speculative work features obbligato handbell parts for 10 bells replicating / mimicking several change ringing methods in each movement as well as a carillon part for the Gloria.

Sanctus & Benedictus in G Major – Rite II

Score & Audio. Liturgical setting, with bells – reworked from the 1966 / Rite I Communion Service in G.

Communion Service in A minor – Rite II – The Canterbury Service

For the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury, 10/14/79.  Three brilliant trumpet parts in the Gloria.

Communion Service in C minor – Rite II

Score & audio.  A two-part setting.

Introit, Fanfare and Hymn

Bless the Father

Good Friday Antiphon & Hymn

A Christmas Service

There standeth one among you

Deck the Halls

He that seeketh & Everyone who hears my words

As it was in the days of Noah

O come, O come Emmanuel / Lo, how a rose e’er blooming,

Magnificat (York Cycle)

Balulalow

Hail, O Sun, O blessed

Shepherd’s Music

About the fields

Tyrley, Tyrlow / Three Kings

O radix Jesse

From heaven high

A Festival of Plays

Alleluia, a newe work is come

Both All and Some

The Conversion and Baptism of Saul

Score & audio. A seven-minute liturgical drama.

A Thanksgiving for Light

Dirksen’s Bernstein phase.

The Annunciation Story

Score & audio.  A liturgical drama with many performance options – Elizabeth’s Song is first-rate.

A Celebration of the Transfiguration

Score & audio. This material has many components in various styles and can be used in many different forms.

Introit and Antiphon for the Feast of the Transfiguration

The Ballad of the Transfiguration

Once sung. never forgotten.

Palm Sunday Liturgy

Three versicles and responses to open the Palm Sunday liturgy.

The Raising of Lazarus

Score & audio. A  mini-cantata, especially suitable for V Lent in Year A. Dirksen deploys all his dramatic skill at Lazare, veni foras.

Eleven Canons for Psalm 101

Wine is a Mocker


The Essex Chamber Singers, 5/19/89
Christ Church of Hamilton / Wenham, Mass.
Mark Dirksen, Director

Pride Goeth Before Destruction


The Essex Chamber Singers, 5/19/89
Christ Church of Hamilton / Wenham, Mass.
Mark Dirksen, Director

The Wicked Flee



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

A Soft Answer


The Essex Chamber Singers, 5/19/89
Christ Church of Hamilton / Wenham, Mass.
Mark Dirksen, Director

The Mouth of the Just



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

A Froward Man Soweth Strife



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

Whoso Curseth His Father



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

A Whip for the Horse



The Essex Chamber Singers, 5/19/89
Christ Church of Hamilton / Wenham, Mass.
Mark Dirksen, Director

Chasten Thy Son



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

Twelve Proverbial Canons

A Gracious Woman



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

The Rich Man’s Wealth


The Essex Chamber Singers, 5/19/89
Christ Church of Hamilton / Wenham, Mass.
Mark Dirksen, Director

A Wise Son



from a concert of Canons Ancient and Modern, April 29, 2018
St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Lexington KY
Richard S. Dirksen, Director

The Land Is Bright

Score & audio.

Wyngate Canon

Choral Prelude on URBS BEATA

The King of Love

Sonata for Organ

Cantilena

O lux beata

Much ado about nothing overture

Jennah’s Own Music Book

Suite from Faith of Our Fathers

Sonata for Strings, Clarinet & Piano

Sonata for Strings, Clarinet & Piano

The American Adventure

Alleluia: a newe work

Sarabande from The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore

A Wedding Processional

Romeo & Juliet

Fanfare and Processional for a Wedding

Fanfare on AMERICA

Fanfare for Bishop Dun

Entrata Festiva

Fanfare for Bishop Lichtenberger

Both alle and some

Two Fanfares for Bishop Creighton

Fanfare for T. S. Eliot

Three Unicorn fanfares

These fanfares with a Sarabande processional opened productions of Gian-Carlo Menotti’s Unicorn, Gorgon and Manticore at the Cathedral in 1965 and 1976.

A Quiet Fanfare

Fanfares for acclamation: John Maury Allin

Fanfare on OLD HUNDREDTH

Fanfare on ANTIOCH

Fanfare on FHA

Fafare for Christmas Day

Three Entry Fanfares: John T. Walker

Fanfare & Chorale, Los Angeles

Benedicite

November Night

Triad

Sixth Anniversary

St. Albans March

The Last Word

Night

Sing levy dew

O mistress mine

Willow Song

Sigh no more, Ladies

Pardon, Goddess of the night

Six Choral Exercises

Theory of Poetry

Words in Time

The Crossing

The Signal

Thee, God, I come from

RWD Annotated Catalog 1993

1942 Letter from Paul Callaway offering him the job at WNC

1957 Paul Callaway Report to Dean

1960 Report on Groton Peal Visit 10.7.1960

1961 Paul Callaway Report to Dean

1963 St. Albans Address: ‘And There Was Light’

Delivered before the Governing Board, Faculty, Students and Parents of St. Albans School, November 12, 1963. A meditation on how a Cathedral gathers and reflects light of all kinds and makes an indelible impression on all around, especially the students of the schools. “There is no shade, no hiding place around a Cathedral.”

1964 Biography

Prepared for application for Dean of Oberlin Conservatory.

1967 Report of Worship Department

1969 Memo re Christmas TV taping

Planning memo for a protest service about the Vietnam War

Planning memo for a 5/17/1970 Council of Churches Choral Festival

Letter to a Cantor 9/9/1970 re Brubeck’s Gates of Justice

1971 Letter to Leonard Bernstein about RWD’s participation in MASS

1974 Program for Installation of John Maury Allin as Presiding Bishop

1976 Report to Chapter

Program for Installation of RWD as Fourth Organist-Choirmaster, October 22, 1978

1978 Report to Chapter

1981 Report to Chapter

Memo re 5/21/81 Evensong & Setting of the Cornerstone of the West Façade

1983 Report to Provost & Chapter

1986 Report to Provost & Chapter

1989 Report to Chapter

1990 Choir Reunion Program

The memo to the former choir members about their quiet participation in the Consecration Evensong found Wayne in an elated mood….

1990 Consecration of the Cathedral

Festival Evensong 9.28.90 4 pm

Raising and Setting of the Final Stone 9.29.90 noon

Thanksgiving Concert & Dedication of Angel Band 9.29.90 8 pm

Consecration of the Cathedral 9.30.90 11 am

1991 Program of RWD Retirement Concert

1991 thank you song for retirement concert

To the tune of “McNamara’s Band.”

2000 Address on Music of the Cathedral for the NCA

2003 Obituary notices and articles

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