November
2016
Complimentary Score
Intermezzo
on
Mariners Hymn
A Hymn Tune Setting for Organ
Complimentary 12 page PDF Booklet
Click here
♦ for download
Notes
Intermezzo
on Mariners
Hymn is
a gentle serenade for organ; it presents an evocative church and folk melody
with a flowing vitality often found in the classical tradition of an
intermezzo,
or
‘interlude.’
The melody,
of non-specific
European origin,
dates from
the latter 18th century:
known as "O
Sanctissima,“
it is a Roman Catholic hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, first published in
1792, and often sung on Marian feast days. Although
the tune is claimed by some as Sicilian in origin, it is also known as
"Mariners Hymn“, and
yet another version can be found in "O
du fröhliche",
a German Christmas carol with lyrics celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Following a brief introduction,
the gentle strains of a mariner’s hymn are heard in the soprano voice,
accompanied by flowing triplet figura-tions, followed by a soulful
reemergence of the tune, presented again in the soprano, but this time
against a slowly rocking syncopated accompaniment.
For
the recapitulatory statement, a counter-melody is woven in duet around the
hymn tune. A brief codetta recalls the mid-section
statement, providing a sense of return to ‘safe harbor and calm
seas’.