Description
The late David Sanger speculated that Buxtehude’s Toccata in F (BuxWV 157) was a piece for St Peter. Regardless of whether this is true, I have taken that piece as a starting point for this one. A toccata forms a substantial introduction to a fugue with a Buxtehude-inspired subject (short, rhythmic and with a hole in the middle). The fugue, as often in the hands of the Great Dane, dissolves gradually back into the toccata texture.
In the case of this piece, I have aimed to avoid doubt of its ecclesiological inspiration by referring to the plainsong melody Tu es Petrus in the toccata figuration, in melodies, and in the subject and countersubject of the fugue. The French Toccata style is a nod to Mulet’s well known setting of Tu es Petra and, while aiming for a different character, I have attempted to capture something of its rhythmic energy. Tim Ravalde
The first performance was given by the composer on Monday 5th July 2021 in Chichester Cathedral.
Duration 5 minutes
