Commissioned by the horn ensemble “aHorn,” composed in May, 2011 in Luxembourg

Hymnus

The grand cathedral pipe organ has always been one of Mr. Turner’s favorite instruments. The huge range of dynamics and scope of colors enables the composer’s imagination to run free. Indeed, many masters of the organ regularly take advantage of this soundscape. Either when improvising interludes during church services, or performing the magnificent repertoire originally written for the instrument. Mr. Turner believes a large ensemble of brass instruments could easily imitate the sound of the pipe organ. The French Horn has a vast range, technical facility and wide range of color possibilities, comparable to the organ. Mr Turner has always wanted to compose a pipe organ fantasy piece, but one which is written for eight horns. The commission of “Hymnus” by the aHorn Ensemble of Japan was thus the impetus to realize this idea.

Structure of “Hymnus”

There are four principal themes that weave in and out of this piece: an authentic Gregorian chant, the basis for a Presbyterian hymn called “Of the Father Son Begotten”; a second, short excerpt from a Gregorian chant called “Gaudeamus”, a passacaglia based on a variation of the “Gaudeamus” theme; and a lively medieval secular song by the troubadour Raimbaut de Vaqueiras called “Kalenda maya”. “Hymnus” is not programmatic music.  It is merely an improvisation of sorts, fully exploiting the possibilities of an eight piece horn ensemble, while paying homage to one of the greatest musical instruments on the world – the grand cathedral pipe organ.

Arranged by Kerry Turner

Listen to a recording of this on YouTube