Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

trebles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!