Variations on a Basque Noël - Carson Cooman | Secrets of Organ Playing Contest Week 39
This is my entry for the Secrets of Organ Playing Contest Week 39.
I'm playing Variations on a Basque Noël by Carson Cooman.
The word Noël, of course, means "Christmas" in French. It's just my little reminder that the festive season is fast approaching. Whilst many of you here are in the Northern Hemisphere and things are starting to cool down, here in Australia things are starting to heat up. Pollen is flying everywhere, the magpies have already swooped me a couple of times and I need to get my diet and exercise in check (now!) so I feel comfortable in summer clothing (haha!).
A couple of weeks ago I also played Carson's Tuba Tune for the Secrets of Organ Playing Contest. I first discovered Variations on a Basque Noël from James Kibbie's Facebook page. For those involved in the organ world, James Kibbie's claim-to-fame is recording the entire Bach organ works. These are available for free here. I must have listened to the complete cycle of the Bach organ works, played by him, several times. It's one of my go-to collections in the car on my daily commute to work.
Carson wrote this piece for James Kibbie in 2017. It was commissioned for his house organ, which also happens to be a Létourneau opus 7! (The organ I play on regularly in my town is also a Létourneau). Since 2002, James has been recording "annual holiday cards" which he sends out during the festive season—so this Cooman work happened to be his Christmas greeting for 2017.
Residence organ of James Kibbie (Source)
The structure of this piece is in theme and variation format. The theme being "Basque Noel" which comes from three medieval carols in southern France. The carols being Noel Nouvelet (Sing We Now of Christmas), The Angel Gabriel and Masters of this House. Consisting of four variations, each one has a particular character and registration.
Var I: Theme in LH
Var II: Theme played in 4ths/5ths, light and sparkly
Var III: Theme presented in parallel minor, haunting
Var IV: Theme presented in full organ with thicker harmony
Carson has made this piece freely available for download on his website here. You might like to follow along with the score whilst you're listening to my contest entry.
Yours truly,
@contrabourdon
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James, thank you for introducing me to another composer's music who I am promptly going to steal from you and get my congregation used to hearing!
Great playing.
It's a nice little recital piece. Maybe you can present your rendition for the contest sometime?
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