Drew Krause
Hymn-Tune Variations for Organ

These ten sets of organ variations on hymn-tunes were written in the summer of 2007. The scores are available here as pdf files to view, print, and save.

Carlisle Variations
Dover Variations
Duke Street Variations
Fairfield Variations
Hanover Variations
Hesperus Variations
Lancashire Variations
Royal Oak Variations
Southwell Variations
St. Frances Variations

Each set of variations is between six and twenty minutes duration and is based on a traditional four-part chorale setting. The variations are a mixture of traditional and experimental approaches to the material.

Registration, manuals, etc. have not been specified, leaving these choices to the performer's discretion. However, these general guidelines are suggested:

• Relative ranges between parts should be respected.
• The start of each variation, denoted by a rehearsal letter, can be seen as an opportunity to change registration in any or all voices.
• A single manual should be used whenever melodic material is clearly shared between the upper two staves.
  

Excerpts from any of the pieces may be used for liturgical purposes, acknowledged by “from XX Variations” or “XX Variations (excerpt)”.

In concert settings, each set is intended to be performed in the original order. All performances are licensed by ASCAP, so sending them a program would help to reimburse the composer.

To learn more about the composer, click here.

Any music theorists interested in studying the pieces are urged to contact the composer. The variations were composed using algorithmic methods and the source code can be made available for analysis.