Sonata da Chiesa – Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981)

In just a few days, on Tuesday August 6, we observe The Feast of Transfiguration which commemorates one of the pinnacles of Jesus’ earthly life when he revealed His divinity to three of his closest disciples, as He is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. Today’s Prelude and Postlude pay homage to that event.

The music is by Hendrik Andriessen, who was of great significance for the renewal of Catholic church music in the Netherlands.  His Sonata da Chiesa ( Italian for ‘church sonata’ ) opens with a chorale-like hymn theme that uses the deep sonorities of the organ.  The chorale is followed by four variations, and concludes with a toccata that reaches its apotheosis with a restatement of the opening chorale.

Click to watch video on Youtube.

Organ Prelude

The Chorale and Variations bear some resemblance to what a mountain climber experiences, namely an ascent that is marked by periods of acclimatisation.

chorale : at the foot of the mountain
variation 1 : leads to base camp
variation 2 : view at a higher elevation
variation 3 : difficult and steep climb to a higher level
variation 4 : apotheosis – at the summit

Organ Postlude

The Toccata has the hallmarks of a mountain descent. Typically more dangerous, the descent includes hazards such as ice slopes, avalanches, and severe weather conditions. These themes are found in the toccata’s suspenseful character, sweeping motions up and down the keyboard, and descending augmented chords.

Having been conditioned to the lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes, mountain climbers typically feel enormously energised when they return to the foot of the mountain. This is reflected in the closing of toccata as it reaches its denouement with a majestic restatement of the opening chorale.