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Ennis Fruhauf
Fantasy
on
Down Ampney
Notes
Fantasy on Down Ampney is a multi-sectional hymn setting based on an original tune that was composed and prepared by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the 1906 English Hymnal to be paired with the text, "Come down, O Love divine". The tune name is derived from the composer's birthplace near Cirencester in Gloustershire.
The hymn melody consists structurally of two interdependent phrase groups, each three phrases in length. The fantasy is launched by a brief contrapuntally imitative section based on the first phrase group and written in flowing triplets, followed by a gentle hymn-like sounding of the same melodic materials. In a third statement, the first phrase group is sounded boldly in canon between soprano and pedal voices and is spun out to a dramatic pause. The second half of the hymn tune then appears in its gently harmonized guise. After a brief quasi-recitative, the second phrase group is presented in extended contrapuntal imitation reminiscent of the introduction. Following a dramatic pause, a canonic statement between pedal and soprano builds in ever increasing intensity to a third dramatic pause. The setting concludes with a brief hymn-like codetta.
Fantasy on Down Ampney can be performed on a two manual organ, but it will sound to advantage on an instrument with greater tonal and timbral resources.
Copyright © 2008 Ennis Fruhauf
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