Pamela Decker (b. 1955) was my doctoral mentor at the University of Arizona from 2001 to 2006. She is internationally renowned as both a performer and composer. My copy is of her manuscript version with her own fingerings and pedal markings. I cherish it greatly.
I actually had the pleasure to perform parts of this piece before it got published. This uploaded version is the complete piece with all five variations. Here is her description from the introduction to the music:
"The piece is a set of continuous variations on the chorale that is known to us as "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." An introductory statement based on the initial phrase of the tune prepares the way for a multi-voiced fugue based on the contour of a longer segment of the chorale's melodic material. The fugue builds to a cadenza that develops into a transition, which leads to a trio-textured presentation of the tune in a style reminiscent of Distler (another homage in connection with the work). A subito piano transition ushers in a lyrical treatment of the tune, spotlighting string and celeste sounds. The final toccata section is introduced by appearances of the fugal motives from the opening, proceeding to a pedal solo and then a fanfare-toccata driven by syncopated chords above the tune, which appears in the pedal part. In all, there are five variations."
My recording here is not as perfect as I'd like, but I think the energy and musicality make up for the couple of little things that bother me. The entire piece is difficult, but that second variation especially taxes the performer.
Be sure to have your volume up in the middle section, like around
4:20, so you can enjoy the Zimbelstern in the Distleresque part, and then the super lush string section that follows.
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See what mckinndl used to make this recording