Opus 1291
Voluntary on “O du fröhliche” (2018)
for Organ
Erik Simmons, organ
Duration: 5 min.
Dedication: for Klaus Stehling
Commission: Commissioned by Klaus Stehling
Recorded on How Great Our Joy! — Organ Music for Christmas by Carson Cooman (2019)Publisher: Strube Verlag
Performance materials available from the publisher.
Voluntary on “O du fröhliche” (2018) is dedicated to Klaus Stehling and was written for premiere at the German language Christmas Eve services at the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (“La Seu”) in Mallorca, Spain. This festive music is based on one of the most popular German Christmas hymns, “O du fröhliche,” which appears also as “O Sanctissima” and in English-speaking usage as the Sicilian Mariners’ Hymn (often paired with the text “Lord, dismiss us with your blessing.”)