Henning's Headquarters

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It was the first occasion I had to introduce myself to both the M.D. and organist. Of course I had to ask if they might look at my music, but I always try to keep my manner minimally impertinent. We shall see....

Suuuurrreee, Karl!   

PD

[Karl Henning]

Suuuurrreee, Karl!   

PD

I suppose the operative term there is try.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I suppose the operative term there is try.

lol  I'm sure that you do just fine. 

PD

[Karl Henning]

So, I asked my friend Eric Mazonson, a pianist with whom I once played the Brahms Sonatas (at a library in Newton, Mass. IIRC) and Yale classmate of Paul Cienniwa's (formerly M.D. at First Church in Boston) and who is now the organist at a Methodist church if I might write a piece for him (and I enclosed [attached, really] the latest two of the Op. 169 pieces. He replied:

"If I permit"? It would be a tremendous honor, Karl! I just listened to Sorrow and Love Flow Mingled Down, and it's exquisite! I can't find a recording of Let Streets and Homes with Praises Ring. Do you have one online somewhere other than Youtube? I'm assuming that the lack of tempo and registration indications for both pieces is intentional, leaving those things up to the performer. Please let me know if that's a correct assumption or not. I really like the registrations the organist chose for Sorrow and Love..., but those wouldn't be available on the small instrument I play on. The left hand and pedal sound like a French horn rank--very sweet! Can you tell me anything about the instrument he's playing? Builder, church? Sorrow and Love... isn't jubilant enough for Easter, which Methodists observe for six Sundays, but I guarantee you I'll play it as soon as they're done with the liturgical season, and I'll send you a video as well. I'm going to read through both pieces before I leave for a rehearsal tonight. I'll probably use Streets and Homes during Easter. I'll videorecord that as well.

[Karl Henning]

Haven't yet decided if this is really done, or if I'm just finished with today's work.

[Karl Henning]

Haven't yet decided if this is really done, or if I'm just finished with today's work.

Especially after the celebratory vigor of Let streets and homes with praises ring, my intention here was quietude and stillness, naturally since the tune I make most use of is "Silent Night," and I've hoped that my use of a second tune has been suitably subtle (that second tune itself being anything but (subtle, that is.) while I liked the pitch content of the static chords, I asked of @Cato "Is it dull, do you think?" A true friend, he was discreet enough not to answer the q. directly, but made a good suggestion. I may not have followed the literal suggestion, but it certainly served as just the springboard for addressing my near-subconscious concern.

[Cato]

@Cato... made a good suggestion. I may not have followed the literal suggestion, but it certainly served as just the springboard for addressing my near-subconscious concern.

Yes, I see and hear the difference: your unconscious concern should be gone! 

...my intention here was quietude and stillness...

And I find it a very contemplative, meditative piece, or one could say, a handmaiden to one's prayerful meditation.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks!

I thought I posted, but perhaps didn't: it has been rare, though not absolutely unique... not only has Leonardo acknowledged receipt of the piece, but he's enthusiastic about it. It has really surprised me, how comparatively few of the organists have returned to me. Ah, well.

[Karl Henning]

Thanks!

I thought I posted, but perhaps didn't: it has been rare, though not absolutely unique... not only has Leonardo acknowledged receipt of the piece, but he's enthusiastic about it. It has really surprised me, how comparatively few of the organists have returned to me. Ah, well.

Well, and now, after I'd kvetched, a prompt and lovely response to the Op. 169 № 9

What a wonderful surprise to receive your email when I came into the office last Sunday! I have finally had an opportunity to  read through your new piece, and am honored to be the dedicatee! I look forward to "digging in" and will send you a recording when I can play it!

[Karl Henning]

As I was staying (and working) in rehab, recovering from my stroke, I found that my brain was eager to be composing again. The first piece I actually composed (starting modestly) was a one-minute piece for one of David Bohn's "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" calls, at a time when he was looking for toy piano pieces. I wrote Penny Candy.

[Karl Henning]

This is the piece I've now written for David's current  call, "Fifteen Minutes of Meditation and Contemplation," for a Japanese instrument, the taishagoto (or Nagoya harp) The Welcome Silence Which Means He Will Soon Be Gone

[Karl Henning]

I've made a symbolic start on the Op. 169 no. 11. I'll see tomorrow if I'll keep any of these notes.

[Sergeant Rock]

It is very good to see you composing again, Karl.

Sarge

[Luke]

This is the piece I've now written for David's current  call, "Fifteen Minutes of Meditation and Contemplation," for a Japanese instrument, the taishagoto (or Nagoya harp) The Welcome Silence Which Means He Will Soon Be Gone

This is lovely - and thanks for putting the link on my thread too. It's just the sort of thing I'd love to be writing, in fact. It appeals....maybe I will get my manuscript paper out...

As for yours, it's adorable! Tiny typo before you send - you've got 'koto' as the instrument name on the 'subsequent stave's (I make this sort of oversight all the time on Sibelius)

[Karl Henning]

It is very good to see you composing again, Karl.

Sarge

Many thanks, Sarge!

[Karl Henning]

This is lovely - and thanks for putting the link on my thread too. It's just the sort of thing I'd love to be writing, in fact. It appeals....maybe I will get my manuscript paper out...

As for yours, it's adorable! Tiny typo before you send - you've got 'koto' as the instrument name on the 'subsequent stave's (I make this sort of oversight all the time on Sibelius)

I was sure the project would speak to you!

[Karl Henning]

This is lovely - and thanks for putting the link on my thread too. It's just the sort of thing I'd love to be writing, in fact. It appeals....maybe I will get my manuscript paper out...

As for yours, it's adorable! Tiny typo before you send - you've got 'koto' as the instrument name on the 'subsequent stave's (I make this sort of oversight all the time on Sibelius)

And thanks for the corrigendum!

[Karl Henning]

Alexa told me we should have showers today, and I don't absolutely disbelieve it, this being New England. However since we did have some unexpected sun this morning, I walked over to the library to return some DVDS.

[Cato]

I thought I posted, but perhaps didn't: it has been rare, though not absolutely unique... not only has Leonardo acknowledged receipt of the piece, but he's enthusiastic about it. It has really surprised me, how comparatively few of the organists have returned to me. Ah, well.

We have discussed the maddeningly mercurial nature of organists known to us: I will not make a generalization, but it seems they promise quite a bit...and then the promises disappear, along with the organists!   

[Karl Henning]

Todd Brunel wrote:

I think your sonata is really something ...really beautifully crafted. we had to do something quickly so [this pianist] didn't want to do it this time. That piece is going to take some work. Jennifer Fox would be down with it I'm sure.