Hymn-A-Week 43

The 43rd weekly hymn, another unusual rhythm. Because why not?

I'm doing seven more, then switching projects. I'm getting bored with hymn tunes!

Here's the legal stuff and ... yes, I still want money!

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Voluntary in C-sharp Minor - I'm not really sure what this is

PDF hither!

I'm... really not entirely convinced of this. Mostly because I don't really know what exactly this is. I mean, it's sort of an ostinato, almost, which slowly slides up. And it's kind of polytonal... polytonalish, I suppose, in a couple spots. I'm not sure what it means, but I like it. I'm just not entirely certain as to what my composition process hath wrought in this particular case.

This is definitely a solid moderato. It shouldn't feel fast (or slow, for that matter), nor, I think, should it be loud (or too quiet). There's not a lot of need to make registration changes; the piece has a written-in crescendo as the texture thickens with each iteration. This feels like it's neither fish nor fowl, which I suppose means that it's ... beef? I'm not great with metaphor.

At any rate, we're nearing the end of my second set of 24 short organ works. I'm starting to think about what I might like to do for a third set. Suggestions gleefully considered. Suggestions with money attached even more gleefully considered... Hint hint.

Speaking of hints! Copyright info and also donation button!

Voluntary in C-sharp Minor by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Hymn-A-Week 42

With a two-day lead on Easter Sunday, here's a tune which will work for "The Day of Resurrection."

This afternoon, a short all-Bach recital left me kind of worn out, and choir practice finished me, so really not much to say. I have a Good Friday service tomorrow and a prelude in C-sharp Minor to write... And a niece to wish a happy first birthday.

Stuff! Things!

This hymn by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Voluntary in E Major - Alto Solo

Here's some PDF for anyone!

Here's a short, gentle piece, kind of in the style of a Romantic trio, although it's more of a quartet. The idea was to write a four-part piece with an alto solo, something which can be kind of tricky on the organ without playing the right hand on two keyboards (although I'm sure we'll get there...)

So instead of a chorale-like setting, there's this option, of having the left hand played off the keys and taking care of the tenor and soprano. Or at least what might generally be considered soprano; the solo voice does cross over it from time to time.

C-sharp Minor coincides with Good Friday, which should be interesting!

Licensing and money request below!

Voluntary in E Major by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Hymn-A-Week 41

So in the approach to Holy Week, here's a tune for Go To Dark Gethsemane. Or any other hymn of similar rhythms (Rock of Ages, say).

Nine more for fifty!

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This hymn tune by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Voluntary in G-sharp Minor - Rhythmic intensity?

PDF presently placed in position, properly posted.

Once more I go to the well of techniques from the games of my youth, this week playing with a more repetitive, driving idea. The left hand can be very light, providing rhythmic intensity while harmonic tension comes from the legato chords in the right.

Of course, if this were proper '80s or '90s chiptune music, it would loop without end, but I think that my left hand would seize up before I could make it through a second repetition. Someone with a less-damaged left hand would do better, probably, but even then there are limits to endurance.

The piece is intended to be played on two manuals, but with only one the only overlap is in measures 35-36; I'd suggest just dropping the low B from the right hand rather than worrying about holding it through the repetition.

So that's that! Next week, E Major.

Copyright info and a reminder: I'm looking for money! I like money. It helps me buy food, which helps me continue to write music.

Voluntary in G-sharp Minor by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Your donations can help me keep writing these! Click to feed a composer!

Hymn-A-Week 40

This week, inspired by Lauda Anima (John Goss' tune for "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven"), I wrote this tune.

I'm starting to get a little tired of writing these hymns, to be honest; it may be time to put up this project in place of some of the others I've been thinking of. We'll see what happens when I get to #50 in May.

Legal things to think about, and request for support below!

This hymn by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Voluntary in B Major - A little look back

PDF here!

After last week's rapid-fire fiasco, I decided to look a little bit backwards. My compositional roots are in game music - not that I've ever had any used in a game - so I thought it would be time to reexamine some of the techniques and constructions I used to use to write one of my voluntaries.

Musically and tonally, this feels like "village" music, calm and quiet, a break from the adventure, although not without some tension, both in the overarching structure and in some of the more dissonant harmonies. I could easily hear this on an endless loop fading into the background while wandering about the countryside conversing with the peasantry looks for the next hint.

Regardless. End stuff!

Volountary in B Major by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Hymn-A-Week 39

New hymn day! I had a friend choose a number at random from a hymnal, which turned out to be "O Holy Spirit, By Whose Breath" to the tune Veni Creator, so I used that for a meter (ignoring the coda) and she gave me a key as well (A-flat) and a little while later, out popped this!

Not a lot else to report! The usual end-of-post-things below.

This hymn by Mike Cutler is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Your donations can help me keep writing these! Click to feed a composer!