An invitation to gaze up to the sky, peer into space and contemplate the
vastness of the universe... Here, the organ becomes a cosmic vehicle, a
mediator between Heaven and Earth, displaying its powerful, bright
sound, unveiling the mystery of its celestial music. Originally intended for
a 3- or 4-manual organ, these etudes are fully adaptable to a 2-manual
instrument.
Registration indications are only given as suggestions: performers are free
to adopt or adapt them, according to their own fancy and the actual
instrument at their disposal. Indications between ( ) are at the performer’s
discretion.
Etude #1 – Laniakea
for 56 note manual (C1-G5)
and one 27 note pedal keyboard (C1-D3)
Based on a motif inspired by symmetrical fingerings: 1-5 and 2-4 in each
hand (see meas.7). Two chords develop from this structure and their
rapid, ceaseless interplay evokes the endless whirl of a faraway galaxy or a
rotating star.
As both hands rush across the keyboard, the 4th and 5th fingers are
particularly coaxed into action, developing finger agility and indepen-
dence. The main motif unfolds on brilliant stops, spreading over different
manuals and registers. As the movement increases, I am reminded of the
vast and luminous celestial horizon of Laniakea, the galaxy supercluster
that, despite its colossal dimensions, is but a mere fragment of the observable
universe.
Etude #2 – Heavenly Rays of Light
for 52 note manual keyboards (C1-D#5)
and one 30 note pedal keyboard (C1-F3)
An exploration of the diverse world and various forms of trills: short or
long, performed on manual or pedal keyboards, sometimes even veering
to a tremolo effect. The trill is accompanied by the regular alternation of
two staccato notes around which melodic fragments gravitate like strayed
satellites or memories of past trills.
The agitation progressively subsides, letting full organ emerge with vibrant
intensity. Long notes find their way through the overall texture, like diffuse
rays through turbulent skies. The long final C# (meas. 58-62) adds a pale
mist to the dark harmony, casting an ultimate luminous glow, one last ray
of light soon lost in pace.
Etude #3 – Meteors
for 51 note manual keyboards (C1-D5)
and one 32 note pedal keyboard (C1-G3)
Unfolding on irregular meters, this dazzling etude showcases velocity
and brilliance. From the initial rhythmic pattern derives a myriad notes,
extremely fast - tiny fragments from the main theme, little flashes of light
reminiscent of the bright streaks left by meteors as they enter our atmosphere.
Circular melodies, in keeping with the distinctive whirling patterns heard
in my previous works, accompany the musical fireworks. One could also
see it as a metaphor of Time: invisible celestial clocks orchestrating the
movements of celestial bodies and punctuating the eternal silence of the
Cosmos.
Jean-Baptiste ROBIN