Variations on the Tune 'Heinlein' "Forty days and forty nights")

Henry Marcellus Higgs (1854-1929) worked with several music publishers and composed a large amount of organ music, some of the pieces being quite substantial.

His father, Marcellus Higgs (1827-1887) was also an organist, but did not publish any music.

Although his music is rarely heard now, his "Sonata in C Minor" and "Toccata Militaire" are still played occasionally.

"Variations on the Tune 'Heinlein'" appeared in Novellos, "The Village Organist" series. Pieces in this collection range from very easy to fairly difficult.

This fine set of variations is based upon the tune, "Heinlein" which appeared in "Nürnbergisches Gesang-Buch" (1676-77), where the tune is called "Aus der Tiefe". The music is probably by Martin Herbst (b. Rothenbach, Germany, 1654; d. Eisleben, Germany, 1681), who was educated in theology and philosophy at the universities of Altdorf and Jena.

It consists of a brief introduction, theme, and 5 variations, ranging from soft to loud, and with some nicely varied "types" of variations. The fourth is very Mendelssohnian, and appears in the major, while the final returns to the theme in the minor in "toccata-like" style.

For a comparison with a fine but smaller Hill organ, you can listen here: http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/33547

I'm very pleased to have a chance to work with Ben Trenchard in the preparation of this sample set. We've been concentrating on quality, realism, and "evening out" the sound. If you listen to this upload in comparison with those of a few days ago, you'll hear quite a difference I think.

I'm quite happy with the registrations that I used. In the final variation, I should have used the 16' Tuba Profunda in the Pedal, instead of saving it for the end. Next time I'll know... ;-)

But just listen to that (almost) Full Swell at around the 2:10 mark! :-)

The score is attached below, although I have no photos of Henry Higgs to share.