Reverie (2008)
for solo organ –
Paul Jacobs, organ
Program Note – Reverie
In late 2007 my friend Paul Jacobs asked me to write an eight-minute organ solo for the dedicatory concert of the newly installed Schoenstein in New York City’s historic Christ and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. What an honor! I began sketching immediately. Paul’s only request was that the music be “soft”, “serene”, and even “dreamlike” in character.
In March 2008 the installation of the instrument was almost complete. From that time on I composed seated at this brand new console. Each night, about 11:00 pm, Paul would unlock the sanctuary at Christ and St. Stephen’s, open the organ, and leave me alone for several hours. This magical instrument in this dimly lit intimate space was absolutely inspiring.
Reverie was completed in early May, two weeks before its premiere. On May 17, 2008 Jacobs performed two identical programs for full audiences at Christ and St. Stephens. In keeping with Paul’s custom he performed the concert, including Reverie, from memory.
Following the premiere, over the next three years, I made several slight revisions, each contributing to what is now the final version. Paul has since performed this version in many venues: Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Davies Hall in San Francisco, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel in Chicago, St. Petri Church in Stavanger, Norway, and the Westminster Cathedral, among others.
The work is divided into three equal parts, each section exploring the more delicate sonorities of the organ, the first of which is best characterized by the underlying slow-changing harmonies of the strings that accompany a duet between two flutes, one extremely legato and the other more detached. The short articulations of the second flute foreshadow the basic motive of the middle section: an ostinato outlining the E Lydian scale. Over this repeated pattern is a new flute melody, now in the pedals, and a string accompaniment. The third section comprised of chorale- like harmonies brings the movement to its climax. A short coda recalls the musical material from the opening.
Reverie is dedicated to Paul Jacobs. It was an honor to have worked with him so closely.
Wayne Oquin
May 1, 2008
New York, New York