Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

1916

Average_duration

:

7:06

Herbert Howells' Rhapsody for organ No. 1 in D flat major was composed in 1919 and premiered in the same year at St. John's College, Cambridge. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked "Allegro moderato," begins with a lively and energetic theme played on the manuals. This theme is then developed and expanded upon, with the addition of new melodic material and intricate counterpoint. The movement reaches a climax with a powerful and virtuosic passage for the pedals, before subsiding into a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, marked "Lento," is a stark contrast to the first. It is a slow and mournful piece, with a haunting melody played on the solo reed stop. The harmonies are rich and complex, with dissonances and suspensions adding to the melancholic atmosphere. The movement builds to a climax before fading away into silence. The final movement, marked "Allegro con fuoco," is a fiery and exuberant piece, full of energy and excitement. The opening theme is a lively and syncopated rhythm played on the pedals, which is then taken up by the manuals in a series of virtuosic runs and flourishes. The movement is full of rhythmic and harmonic surprises, with sudden shifts in tempo and unexpected chord progressions. It ends with a triumphant flourish, bringing the piece to a thrilling conclusion. Overall, Howells' Rhapsody for organ No. 1 in D flat major is a virtuosic and highly expressive work, showcasing the full range and power of the organ. Its three movements are each distinct in character and mood, but together they form a cohesive and satisfying whole.

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