VARIATIONS ON SIMPLE GIFTS

Composer: THOMAS, DAVID EVAN

David Evan Thomas offers a masterful introduction, theme, and six variations on the tune "Simple Gifts," though the individual sections can be used as service music, as a whole this is an exciting concert or recital piece. The writing is contemporary but not jarring, challenging but attainable. Written for an organ dedication recital, the piece gives ample opportunity to feature both bombast and sensitivity.