VAN NOORDT Three Versets on Psalm 24
JS BACH Partita on Sei Gegrüsset BWV 768
TOURNEMIRE Improvisation sur le ‘Te Deum’

Taking its cue from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, which feature in the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s 7.30pm concert this evening, this recital presents three sets of variations from different geographical locations and historical periods. The mid-17th century Dutch composer Anthoni Van Noordt was organist of the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, and his organ music followed stylistically in the footsteps of Sweelinck. His setting of Psalm 24 offers three very contrasting variations on the original melody. Bach’s monumental partita ‘Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig’ shares its key (G minor) with Elgar’s masterpiece, and is itself a classic example of chorale variations, despite probably being a very early work. Charles Tourmenire’s piece based on the Te Deum is a genuine improvisation - originally recorded extempore in 1930 on the organ of Sainte-Clotilde (where he succeeded Franck and Pierné as titulare), it was only later meticulously transcribed and notated by Maurice Duruflé. Here the Gregorian chant melody always remains recognisable through a myriad of inventive and ingenious transformations.