New Composition: Meditation on “Old Hundredth” (Op. 27) by Rien Schalkwijk

“Old Hundredth” probably is one of the most beloved and well known hymns. It’s heard in churches throughout the whole world. Of course there are many compositions written on this tune. A short while ago, my friend ‪@AusraMotuzaite‬ created a beautiful Fanfare-Toccata over it. You can listen to that one here: • Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkev... . But, there is never enough music in the world, so I tried to create my own version. I deliberately choice for contrasting harmonies in both hands to create some tension and excitement. The Cantus Firmus is played with the pedals. I hope you like it!
(Ps… yes, I could have included key changes, dynamic changes and stops changes in this piece. But for me it’s important that my modest craftings are playable by modest organists. I invite advanced organists to add their own colour to this piece.)
If you want to play this piece yourself (and I'll be honoured if you want to), you can find the score here: www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/pro...
For the best listening experience, I recommend using headphones, earbuds, or a hi-fi set. The sound dynamics of the pipe organ are truly remarkable and can be fully appreciated with high-quality audio equipment.
Played with the 1924 Steinmeyer organ, Landau, St. Maria, Germany (Hauptwerk)
Become a member of my channel and me in my music journey! / @rienschalkwijk
Go to my website www.rienschalkwijk.nl for links to my audio-albums, my compositions and a extended Bio.
Here you can grab the sheet music from my compositions, instant download! www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/pro...
If you like my Channel, and wish to support me in my musical journey, ánd be part of new ideas and initiatives, consider than to become a patreon. It will be a great honour to me. / rienschalkwijk or buy me a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/RienScha...
For my "How to make a KZbin video with Hauptwerk video", click here! • HOW TO MAKE A KZbin ...
#orgue #orgel #churchmusic #pipeorgan #classicalmusic #hauptwerk #classicalmusic

[@ClaraOrgan]

Wow! What a mysterious and gracious meditation on this hymn! I think your composition and performance are really improving endlessly~ So beautiful! bravo! Rien🌹🌹🌹💕💕💕

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thank you so much Clara! I hope you like to play this one! :-)

[@nakorganist]

Wauw, lieve Rien, je hebt echt een geweldig stuk geschreven. Fantastisch wat een mooie harmonieën je voor ons hebt ontdekt. Heel erg mooi! Met vriendelijke groet, Roland

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Roland! Dankjewel voor je fijne reactie!

[@SecretsofOrganPlaying]

It's always nice to hear you play your pieces. Congratulations, Rien!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Vidas!

[@jannoordzij8043]

Rien never stops playing and composing! Well done!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Jan!

[@AusraMotuzaite]

Well done, Rien! Sounds very beautiful and gentle! I never imagined this tune as a meditation, but your composition sounds very natural and convincing!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Ausra. I learn a lot from the exciting harmonies in your compositions! Of course I’m just an amateur but I’m trying to do my best!

[@philippelegargean5120]

It's a surprise.. beautiful composition on this melody in fact sung everywhere. It will find its place in a liturgy here very easily.

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks a lot Philippe. It’s in your mailbox. Play it as you please! :-)

[@albertoguerzoni]

Beautiful and inspired composition.

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Alberto!

[@intermezzo-musikalischestr2987]

Again a wonderful composition! Congratulations, Rien! I like this reflective style very much and yes, without many stop changes it's playable on smaller organs too, without help. The title was unknown to me, but it's often sung as "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir" Thanks a lot and have a nice Sunday!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks for your kind comment. Have a nice Sunday!

[@remi-chapalain]

Congratulations again Rien ! Beautiful composition ! I know a french hymn for the Holy Trinity on this tune

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Rémi! It’s a well known tune troughout the world indeed!

[@grahamtwist]

A gorgeous meditation on the 'Old Hundredth' and beautifully registered and played by you, Rien, on this fabulous sample set. Your compositions never fail to deliver heart-felt joy in your creative talent and love of music: bravo! (The 'Old 100th' first appeared in the Genevan Psalter and is usually attributed to the French composer, Louis Bourgeois (c. 1510 - c. 1560), although the first half of the tune contains phrases which may have existed in plainsong and folk song for many centuries. The latter part of the tune and its overall form is definitely the work of Louis Bourgeois, who was John Calvin's musical collaborator in the formation of the Genevan Psalter. Interestingly enough, the tune was first associated with Psalm 134! The melody receives its current name from an association with the 100th Psalm, in a translation by William Kethe, entitled "All People that on Earth do Dwell". The melody is also sung to various other lyrics, including the Common Doxology and various German Lutheran chorales. In that latter respect, it was used by Bach as a cantus firmus (the same approach adopted by you!) in his chorale cantata, 'Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir' (BWV 130). Great minds think alike!)

[@intermezzo-musikalischestr2987]

Thank you so much for your explanation about the background. (It's always interesting.) Here it's well-known as "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir" or "Lobt Gott den Herrn der Herrlichkeit".

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks a lot my friend, also for the extended information. As an amateur I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m just tried to “catch” the hymn in comforting but not dull harmonies. With a few skills and a big heart. :-)

[@aBachwardsfellow]

Beautiful composition -- the harmonies seem to have somewhat of a French influence. Very nicely done -- all.

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks for listening!

[@RalphLooij]

Nice chord progression, Rien!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Ralph! I tried some more exciting chord progressions then my usual “language.” It turned out pretty okay!

[@nilsvanvelzen]

Zoals ik je gisteren al zei. Mooi te zien hoe je elke keer je grenzen weer verlegt!

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Dank Nils!

[@MarkusDrejaOrganist]

Lovly accords and stringent composition. The bass c.f. is quite difficult to match with the accompanying voices for me, you've done it great. Thanks and big congrats 😊

[@RienSchalkwijk]

Thanks Markus! I learned a lot from recent compositions from Ausra. In this piece I tried to create harmonic tension in the accompaniment while the pedal does the steady melody. It’s not difficult to play but because you have to do “strange things” in the accompaniment it takes some practise to keep the solo going. Right from the start the left hand starts with Bm7 going to Bm while the left hand stays in g major followed by Asus4 in right and Asus2 in the left. When the CF starts, the right hands plays one note against it in the opposite direction (both D major) with the left hand keeping the g major. It’s a crazy piece. But it worked out pretty okay! :-)