Near: A Gregorian Liturgical Year for Organ - Volume 3
The Vigil of Pentecost through Pentecost 17 Ordinary Time 24 - Proper
Expected to ship in 1-2 weeks.
- Composer: Gerald Near (1942-)
- Instrumentation: Organ
- UPC:
Description
_"The first two volumes of A Gregorian Liturgical Year contained pieces for the Sundays and Major feast days of the church from Advent I through the Seventh Sunday of Easter, i.e. the Sunday before the Day of Pentecost. This third volume covers the period from the Vigil of Pentecost through the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Ordinary Time 24, Proper 19).
Thematic material for each piece is taken from one of the Propers of the Mass (Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, Communion), and the entire collection is keyed to the three-year Lectionary shared by Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans, as well as some denominational bodies not strictly liturgical by nature. The pieces range roughly in length from one to three minutes (an approximate timing will be found at the end of each number), and the level of difficulty may be said to range from ‘easy' to ‘moderate.' The chant melodies themselves are necessarily taken from the Roman Gradual (Graduale Romanum, Solesmes 1974), and the arrangement of the pieces takes the form of the liturgical calendar found in that volume. The composer has attempted to select chant melodies associated with texts common to all three churches for every Sunday and Major feast of the church year. Thus organists will know that a given piece does indeed "belong" to the day or feast appointed whether or not the melodies themselves are easily associated merely by hearing them.
Players are encouraged to adopt a fairly 'free' rhythmic approach to these pieces but without, at the same time, exaggeration. Special attention should be paid in this regard to obvious points of cadence.
Suggestions for registration have been kept to a minimum; all of the pieces are registered for a two manual and pedal instrument with one enclosed division, crescendi/decrescendi thus referring to the Swell division. Imaginative players will find many and other attractive combinations.
Most of the pieces in these volumes are intended for use as preludes, offertories, or communion meditations, although there are a few postludes as well. The composer hopes organists serving non-liturgical churches will find these pieces useful in their particular situations as an enhancement to the beauty of worship, and that all players will be nudged to explore the wonders of Gregorian chant."_-Gerald Near
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Near: A Gregorian Liturgical Year for Organ - Volume 3
