Toccata, Op. 67

Today is the feast of St. Michael and All Angels. I was hoping to find a piece to upload for the day, but had nothing to do.

About 2 years ago, I was looking for music by a "George Macsomebody" and saw the works of Georges Mac-Master. I downloaded them, but never pursued them.

I was reminded of them by the upload by our member, "BertV," so I looked through them again, and thought that the "Toccata" would make the best option.

I've never heard this piece, but it looks like it usually played faster. I chose to make mine "heroic" and was pleased with the results.

Georges Mac-Master was born in London in 1863 and died by his own hand in Paris 9th on March 31, 1898. He was an Irish organist and composer who became a naturalized French citizen.

Georges Mac-Master was a student of César Franck , Eugène Gigout , Clément Loret and Théodore Dubois in composition at the Paris Conservatory. He became a member of the Society of Authors, Composers and Music Publishers (Sacem) on February 25, 1882 3 .

He was organist in several parishes before becoming organist and choirmaster at the Saint-Ambroise church in Paris in 1884. Then, he held the same position at the Wesleyan church from 1890 until his death.

He founded the Mac-Master Institute, a school of music, painting and declamation employing up to 14 teachers.

An officer of the Academy, he was organist of the Concerts du Trocadéro in Paris.

"Toccata" was published by Le Beau in 1897. It has that special feel of music written around the turn of the nineteenth century, and this immediately helped me decide upon the tempo that I would use.

It's not a "deep" work, but I'm sure would be popular with congregations and audiences.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Georges Mac-Master, and three of the Church of Saint Ambrose in Paris, where he served as organist.

THANKS to BertV for uploading another work by the composer, and causing me to remember these works.