Prelude Modale (2011) for two horns and organ was commissioned by the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for “The Organ Swell” concert series (Peggy Kelley Reinburg, artistic director). The work was premiered on May 18, 2011 by Hazel Dean Davis and Kim Gilman, horns with Martin Sunderland, organ.

As the title implies, the language throughout is modal, with allusions to Renaissance and Medieval music. Of particular importance are scales that change major and minor inflections frequently. The opening section is marked “moderate, flowing” and develops a melodic idea first presented by the organ. A faster middle section (a rondeau) leads to a ornamented return of the opening material and a coda.