On December 4, Frederick Hohman presented a recital at First Lutheran Church of Lyons, New York, which included the premiere of Hohman’s new work, entitled Variations on the Hymn-Tune ‘Kirken.’
The 17-minute work, completed in September, is dedicated by the composer to Pastor Arthur C. Sziemeister, in recognition of his more than 50 years of continual service to the parish of First Lutheran Church of Lyons.
The published score of the work is available from Zarex Scores ($20; www.zarex.com).
The Variations on ‘Kirken’ is a set of dual-variations, which draws upon the ancient hymn-tune KIRKEN, most often sung to the text “Built on a rock the church doth stand,” as well as upon the intonations and incipits of the Preface and Nunc dimittis portions of the Communion Service setting by Regina Fryxell, as found in the Lutheran Service Book and Hymnal (also known as the “Red Book”). The Red Book and its Communion Service have been in constant use since the late 1950s at First Lutheran Church of Lyons.
Hohman served as the organist and choirmaster for First Lutheran Church of Lyons from 1975 to 1979, during his residency at the Eastman School (class of David Craighead), where he earned the Performer’s Certificate, Mus.B. and M.M. degrees. For information:
www.frederickhohman.net.
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