Composer

:

Herbert Howells

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Rhapsody

Average_duration

:

6:23

Herbert Howells' Rhapsody for organ, Op. 17/1, was composed in 1919 and premiered on May 22, 1920, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. 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, before returning to the opening theme and concluding with a quiet and reflective coda. The second movement, marked Adagio, is a slow and contemplative piece, with a hauntingly beautiful melody played on the solo reed stop. The melody is then taken up by the full organ, with the addition of lush harmonies and delicate ornamentation. The movement builds to a powerful climax, before subsiding into a gentle and peaceful conclusion. The final movement, marked Allegro con fuoco, is a fiery and exuberant piece, with a driving rhythm and a sense of joyful abandon. The movement is characterized by its use of syncopation and irregular meters, as well as its virtuosic passages and intricate counterpoint. The piece reaches a thrilling climax, before concluding with a triumphant and celebratory coda. Overall, Howells' Rhapsody for organ is a masterful work, showcasing the full range and power of the organ as an instrument. The piece is characterized by its rich harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and virtuosic passages, as well as its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and moods.

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