O come, O come, Emmanuel

Calvin Hampton (1938-1984) was born in Kittaning, Pennsylvania and raised in Ravenna, Ohio, Hampton was a resident of New York City from 1963 until his death from AIDS in 1984. He received his musical training at Oberlin Conservatory and Syracuse University, where his teachers were Fenner Douglass and Arthur Positer. He was a distinguished recitalist, specializing in 19th and 20th century repertoire, and was famous for his weekly Friday Midnight concerts at Calvary Church in New York City, where he was Organist and Director of Music. He was twice a recitalist at the national conventions of the American Guild of Organists. His organ transcription of "Pictures at an Exhibition" was the first modern day organ transcription and, which was followed-up by a transcription of Franck's "Symphony in D Minor." Virtually every hymnal in America today contains hymn tunes and harmonizations by Calvin Hampton. In addition to hymns and other service music, he also wrote important works for orchestral and chamber forces. Many of his organ works were commissioned for new organs, such as "Music for an Important Occasion," the first commissioned work for the concert organ in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

This "cool piece" comes from "Calvin Hampton Music for Organ (Eleven Organ Solos)," published by Warner Bros. in 1984. It has a number of highly distinctive pieces in the group, and well none of these pieces are "major" works, none of them is really "easy" to play.

This piece was "called to my attention" by our member, "TubaMirabilis8," and this upload is dedicated to him. THANKS, Philip!

It's a unique setting of the well-known hymn, which seems to feature not only the mystery of Advent but something of the procession of the Three Kings, as well. Also, a little touch of Messiaen is in there as well... :-)

If you want to hear more by Hampton, I think I've already uploaded 5 or 6 other works.

A photo of Calvin Hampton and one of Calvary Church, NYC are attached below.