Cortège, Intermezzo, and Litany on the Joseph-Hymnus (2017)

Cortège, Intermezzo, and Litany on the Joseph-Hymnus (2017) is based on the “Joseph-Hymnus” theme by German composer Andreas Willscher (and is also used in his own extensive Fantasie über den Joseph-Hymnus). “Cortège” is dedicated to Andreas Willscher, “Intermezzo” to Philip Hartmann, and “Litany” to Hartmut Siebmanns.

A cortège is a ceremonial procession, and the theme is found primarily in the bass in the manner “quasi una passacaglia.”

Intermezzo is tranquil, moving between the several harmonic poles of the theme.

In Litany, the theme is treated in a bright and extroverted manner, moving back and forth between the hands and alternating with a jubilant, triadic harmonization.

[The three movements may be played together or separately.]