Review:
The musical term passacaglia is from the Spanish pasar [to pass] and calle [street] and referred to street dancing in Spain in the 1600s. This form, whose structure typically features an ostinato bass line, developed into a more majestic dance in France, and has been used across all classical musical eras from Bach to the present.
This original work is written in 3/4 time, with the overall structure being symmetrical: simple beginning, progressive development reaching a musical peak, then returning to a simple ending. The opening ostinato bass line is the common thread throughout as additional musical lines are added and well-crafted variations are developed. Half note, quarter note, then eighth and sixteenth note passages and triplets in the treble bells add a sense of movement while the bass line remains constant. Dynamics gradually increase to
ff, which remains until the complexity and dynamics decrease to the lovely but simple ending.
Simply stated: this is beautifully written music that will be wonderful in concert, worship (even in Lent), and in any memorial or remembrance event.
Published by:
From the Top Music
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Composer:
Gramann, Fred
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Arranger:
N/A
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Octaves:
3-5
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Level:
3
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Rating:
Medium
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Copyright:
2023
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Season:
Lent
, All Year
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Classification:
Hope and Rememberance
, Memorial Service
, Church or Concert
, Original Composition
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Technique:
Sk (Shake)
, Sw (Swing)
, LV (Let Vibrate)
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Voicing:
Handbells, No Choral
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Instrument:
Chimes(Choirchimes or Handchimes)
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