Skjærtorsdag (Maundy Thursday)

Otto Valdemar Malling (1 June 1848 – 5 October 1915) was a Danish composer, from 1900 the cathedral organist in Copenhagen and from 1889 professor, then from 1899 Director of the Royal Danish Academy of Music, Copenhagen. He was born in Copenhagen, and became a pupil of Niels Gade and Johan Peter Emilius Hartmann. in his later career he mainly composed organ works and vocal music, but he also wrote a significant amount of orchestral music, as well a substantial cantata and a symphony in D minor. He was a co-founder and vice-conductor of The Concert Society, Copenhagen (1874), supporting himself as organist at various Copenhagen churches. His scores of organ music brought Malling some reputation abroad, but after his death he was soon forgotten in his native country.

On Good Friday, I'll be uploading Malling's complete "Die sieben Worte des Erlöser am Kreuze." It's a major work, taking about 35 minutes in duration.

In addition, two other Malling piece's, one specifically for Good Friday, and a "sad," unusual one for Easter, since this year, Easter is certainly going to be an unusual celebration of the Resurrection.

In comparison, "Skjærtorsdag" (Maundy Thursday)" is quite "ordinary." Perhaps I feel this way since the passages here sound VERY similar to many other passages I've learned and recorded over the last few days.

It is taken from "Die Festtage des Kirchenjahres, Op.66" published by Hansen in 1897.

Ordinary or not, it's an "odd" depiction of Maundy Thursday! There's nothing here about the Last Supper, or the washing of feet, or the given of a new commandment of love. It's more about sneaking around in the darkness.

I suppose this is dealing with the immediate aftermath of the supper, perhaps it's Judas doing his betrayal, or the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. At any rate, it still strikes me as odd - another reason it is right at home this year.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Malling and also a painting of the Last Supper.