Fantasy In E For Organ By Thomas R. Schadl

I wrote this piece as an experiment on how different tonalities sound together. As I was listening to Messiaen’s La Nativite Du Seigneur, I realized that Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) used various modes or tonalities in his composition. Messiaen’s music for organ and other instruments employ sounds unlike the ones we hear in classical and popular music; in other words, his music evokes mysticism.

The opening section of the Fantasy In E For Organ is a toccata that involves playing fast passages on the manuals and the pedal stating a theme. This section is reminiscent of Dietrich Buxtehude’s (1637-1707) Prelude and Fugue in G Minor BuxWV 149.

The next section consists of subsections that portray one’s journey into a realm that is unlike the opening section of the piece. The first subsection may suggest one’s hesitancy to go onto a different path in life. The other subsection portrays one taking a trip to a distant place; whether it is a temple with colorful pictures and windows or a bazaar where merchants display exotic goods.

The last section is a toccata that states the main theme of the opening section in the pedal part. The hands play on the keyboard, stating the chords in triplets and evoking a successful journey to another realm.

For those people who are versed in religious philosophies may associate the Fantasy In E For Organ with themes such as Hear My Prayer, Praise The Lord, and other subjects. Psalm 102 and Psalm 103, for example, suggest Hear My Prayer, and Praise The Lord, respectively.

Fantasy In E For Organ is suitable for recital use and may be used for teaching students on compositional techniques that includes contrapuntal writing and rhythmic treatment of motives. This piece is challenging to some organist; a slow pace and frequent practice would help the players achieve their goal of good performance. Enjoy it. Fantasy In E For Organ by Thomas R. Schadl