Toccata, Op. 71, No. 7

Arthur William Foote (5 March 1853 in Salem, Massachusetts – 8 April 1937 in Boston, Massachusetts) was a member of the "Boston Six." The other five were George Whitefield Chadwick, Amy Beach, Edward MacDowell, John Knowles Paine, and Horatio Parker. The modern tendency is to view Foote’s music as “Romantic” and “European” in light of the later generation of American composers. A Harvard graduate and the first noted American classical composer to be trained entirely in the U.S., in some sense he is to music what American poets were to literature before Walt Whitman. He was an early advocate of Brahms and Wagner and promoted performances of their music. Foote was an active music teacher and wrote a number of pedagogical works.

The Grove Music Encyclopedia says: “In his finest works Foote was a memorable composer. His style, firmly placed in the Romantic tradition, is characterized by lyrical melodies, expressive phrasing, and clear formal structure."

"Seven Pieces" were composed in 1910. Each of them is dedicated to a leading organist of the day. The pieces are mostly large scale works. This is particularly the case with the "Solemn March" and the blazing "Toccata."

"Toccata" is a big piece that much more in the sense of a "German toccata." There is nothing "French" about it.

It is dedicated: "To William Churchill Hammond." Clemson (1860-1949). He was a professor at Mt. Holyoke College, and served as organist and choirmaster of Holyoke's Second Congregational Church for many years. (For some sad/interesting info, see First Comment.

"Toccata" has a tremendous drive and sweep to it. Again we hear Foote's harmonic structure. The impact is massive, and reminded of "something Russian," although I can't really pinpoint just way. The passagework and management of the instrument is demanding. It should certainly be performed more!

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Foote and Hammond, as well as churches they served are attached.

Op. 71 completed!