Composer Notes
In January of this year, I was approached by Arnold and Grace Rumbold, philanthropists, supporters of the Edmonton Arts Community, lovers of choral and organ music and donors of prestigious organ scholarships in Edmonton, to write a suite for organ solo based on treasured hymns and songs, primarily of Welsh origin. The suite was to open with a celebrative setting of a favourite 17th century hymn tune from the continent, “Omni Dei” (based on the text by the Canadian theologian Herbert O’Driscoll “From the Slave Pens of the Delta”), followed by a number of Welsh hymn tunes and traditional songs. They suggested various examples of favourite ones. The suite was to conclude with a festive setting of Cwm Rhondda (“Guide me, o, thou great Jehovah”), i.e. as Prelude and Fugue.
I chose ten hymns/songs bookended by the two suggested hymns, both in G major. For the rest I preferred different (but related) keys according to their specific characters/moods, in the following sequence: G- Eb(c)-Ab-G-Eb-Ab-G-Eb-Ab-G. For the more nostalgic or introspective hymns I was inspired by their noble sentiment as well as the rich, dark colours of Welsh male choirs.
I have provided the hymn tune/song preceding each arrangement for information and for the case when a single arrangement is performed. If played as a suite, the hymn tunes should be omitted.
My sincere thanks to
• Arnold and Grace Rumbold for this commission, for their generosity and support of organists and organ music.
• Dave Thomas, a long-time friend, and choir member at the local St. John’s Anglican, for providing me with Welsh hymn books and insights from his Welsh country of origin.
• Trent Worthington, for transcribing the manuscript into a digital PDF.
Jacobus Kloppers
Edmonton, Alberta, 2024
