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Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

Richard Wayne Dirksen Centenary

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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.

Psalm 24 – The Earth is the Lord’s

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

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.

Carol of the Angels

Thank we all, Our God

Give thanks unto the Lord (Bonum est confiteri)

Deer Walk upon our mountains

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.

Christians to the Paschal Victim

Christ is now Risen again

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.

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.

Preces & Responses Rite I – Trebles only

Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in F# minor

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 C minor – Rite II

Score & audio.  A two-part setting.

A Festival of Plays

The Conversion and Baptism of Saul

Score & audio. A seven-minute liturgical drama.

A Celebration of the Transfiguration

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

The Ballad of the Transfiguration

Once sung. never forgotten.

Night

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