Opus 64-80 composed in Hanerau, Germany

 

 

            Opus64           Opus65           Opus66           Opus67           Opus68           Opus69           Opus70           Opus71           Opus72            Opus73           Opus74

 

Opus 64

   Missa brevis in canone ‡ 2 vocibus

         Chantry, 1982. LIT 8213

             unison voices (2 pt. canon)

             2 movements (total of 10 sections):

                  Kyrie, Gloria (Latin text)

                      Composed: 1976

                      Dedicated to Hugo Gehrke

                              Òin canone duabus vocibus

                              opus LXIV anno MCMLXXVI

                              IOANNE LIGARIUS eam

                              pro HUGO GEHRKENE amico

                              filiisque eius composuitÓ

                                                --published score

     ÒThis work was not intended for use in worship, but to aid singers in their meditation. At the same time it has a pedagogical purpose: it can serve as an exercise in sight-reading and singing, and trains the singer to an exact hearing. One should study this work without the aid of an instrument. Singing at first hand the content, the meaning of the text, its performance could certainly become a devotional experience and be to the glory of God. That is what sacred music ought to be.

                                                Epiphany 1982Ó

                                    --Published score foreward

 

Opus 65

   Variationen fŸr Klarinette und Klavier

         unpublished (as of September 2005)

             clarinet and piano

             theme and 6 variations

             Tune: In een blauwgeruiten kiel

                      Composed: Aug-Sep 1976 in Hanerau

     Dedicated to Cindy Miller, whose parents allowed Jan and Charlotte Bender to live in their house for their last two weeks in America. The Theme was written in their house, the Variations in Hanerau (his first composition written there in retirement).

     First Performance: 1. May 1977 in Krieg Hall at Wittenberg University. Cindy Miller, cl, Robert Wynn, pno

           

Opus 66

   Chorale Preludes for Organ or Keyboard Instrument (edited by Jan Bender)

         Concordia, 1979. 97-5474, 97-5520

             organ

             2 volumes

             Edited: 1976

             Contents:

                  35 chorale preludes and free compositions for organ by:

                        Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-88),

                        Michael Samuel David Gattermann (1748-1829),

                        Johann Samuel Harsow (18th century),

                        Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)

                        Johann Philipp Kirnberger (1721-83),

                        Johann Christoph KŸhnau (1735-1805),

                        Johann Christoph Oley (1738-89),

                        Christian Friedrich Schale (1713-1800),

                        Johann Gottfried Vierling (1750-1813),

    Johann Christoph KŸhnau (1735-1805) published his Vierstimmige alte und neue ChoralgesŠnge mit Provinzial-Abweichungen in two parts in 1786 and 1790. His son, Friedrich Wilhelm, edited and republished part two in 1798, including some additional pieces by his Father. In 1976, Jan Bender found a copy of this 1798 edition in the attic of his brother-in-lawÕs house in Hanerau, where it was part of the extensive family archives dating back to 1799 when his wife (Charlotte)Õs ancestor, Johann Wilhelm Mannhard, had acquired the estate from the King of Denmark. J. W. Mannhard was one of the original subscribers to this 1798 edition, which Jan Bender here edited for modern use. He prepared this edition in Oct.-Nov., 1976.

 

Opus 67 - Hanerauer Motetten

Opus 67 No. 1

   Die GŸte des Herrn ist's

         H. Constabel, Hademarschen, 1977.

                      (printed with op. 67 no. 2)

             choir SATB

             Text: Jeremiah 3:22-23

                      Dedicated to Hademarscher Kirchenchor, Frau Thea Kruse, director

                      Composed: [Dec.], 1976

 

Opus 67 No. 2

   Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein reines Herz

         H. Constabel, Hademarschen, 1977.

                      (printed with op. 67 no. 1)

             choir SATB

             Text: Psalm 51:12-14

                      Dedicated to Hademarscher Kirchenchor, Frau Thea Kruse, director

                      Composed: [Dec.], 1976

 

Opus 67 No. 3

   Ich will dem Herrn loben

         H. Constabel, Hademarschen, 1978.

                      (printed with op. 67 no. 4)

             choir SATB

             Text: Psalm 34:2-4

                      Dedicated to KMD Raimar Kannengiesser (Heide)

 

Opus 67 No. 4

   Selig sind, die Gottes Wort hšren

         H. Constabel, Hademarschen, 1978.

                      (printed with op. 67 no. 3)

             choir SATB

             Text: Luke 11:28, Luke 8:15

                      Dedicated to KMD Raimar Kannengiesser (Heide)

 

Opus 67 No. 5

   Si qua ergo in Christo nova creatura

         Renaissance Musik Verlag, 8/95. Ed. No. 10505

             choir SATB

             Text: II Chorinthians 5:17-19 (in German); Kto sis wapieke (in Polish)

             Tune: Kto sis wapieke

                      Completed: July 20, 1979

                      First performance, Oct. 7, 1979.

     ÒVersšhnungsmotetteÓ (Reconciliation Motet) written for the Polish concert tour of the Rendsburger Marienchores.

    Dedicated to the Kantatenchor St. Marien Rendsburg, KMD Hans JŸrgen Baller and other Polish friends.

     A recording of this composition is housed in the Stadtbibliothek LŸbeck

                                                                       

Opus 68

   Psalm 23

         Choral Settings of the Psalms

         Augsburg, 1981. 11-0679

             choir SSATTB, S solo

                  English text

         Renaissance Musik Verlag, 8/94. Ed. No. 10502

                  German text

             Text: Psalm 23, Job 19:25, 2 Tim 1:10, Psalm 17:15, and chorale stanzas

             Tune: Christus, der ist mein Leben

                      English manuscript copy dated Hanerau/Holstein, Dec. 1976.

                      First performance: Sept. 18, 1977 in Weaver Chapel for the memorial service of Margareth Ermarth by the Wittenberg Choir, conducted by John Williams.

                      Also sung by the Wittenberg Choir on their concert tour of Sweden, Finland, and the Soviet Union, June 1978.

            ÒThis work was commissioned by the School of Music at Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, and therefore it is wholeheartedly dedicated to the Wittenberg Choir and its outstanding conductor Professor John W. Williams.

            The composer has in mind that this piece mainly should be sung at funeral= or memorial services. Then the first Chorale text should be used: ÔTo live for me is Jesus.Õ

            Of course the music also can be used on the Sunday of the Good Shepherd, Misericordias Domini as a service anthem, or it may be used as a piece for choir concerts. For the last case it would be good when it would be placed at the end of the program. The second chorale text: ÔAbide, O faithful SaviorÕ would be more appropriate for such an occasion.

                                    --English autograph score

            ÒDem LŸbecker Singkreis Ÿberreicht zu seinem 50. Geburtstag.

            Das StŸck ist gedacht fŸr BegrŠbnis= oder GedŠchtnisfeiern. In diesem Fall wŠre der Choral: ÔChristus, der ist mein LebenÕ zu singen.

            Es kann aber natŸrlich auch am Sonntag des Guten Hirten, Misericordias Domini, oder als Psalmmotette an anderen Sonntagen gesungen werden. Hierzu wŸrde sich eine Strophe aus dem Liede: ÔAch bleib mit Deiner GnadeÕ besser eignen.Ó

            (Presented to the LŸbeck Singkreis for its 50th anniversary [1978].

            The piece is conceived for funeral or memorial service. In this case the chorale: ÒChristus, der ist mein LebenÓ would be sung.

            It can also naturally be sung on Good Shepherd Sunday, Misericordias Domini, or as a Psalm motet on another Sunday. Then a stanza from the chorale: ÒAch bleib mit Deiner GnadeÓ would be better to use.)

                                    --deutsche Fassung

 

Opus 69

   6 Variations for Piano on a theme by Beethoven

         unpublished (as of September 2005)

             Tune: Ich liebe dich

                      Composed: Jan. 1977

                                                                       

Opus 70

   Fantasy on Sine nomine

         Augsburg, 1979. 11-9108

             organ

             3 movements

                      Dedicated to Trudy Faber

 

Opus 71

   12 Hymn Introductions and Settings

         Preludes and Accompaniments vol. 1

         Augsburg, 11-9397

             organ

                  published on loose-leaf sheets

             24 settings

             Contents:

                  Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend

                  Herr Jesu Christ, meins

                  Jesu, meine Freude

                  Lobt Gott, ihr Christen

                  Mit Freuden zart

                  Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

                  O heilige Dreifaltigkeit

                  Rhosymedre

                  Sonne der Gerechtigkeit

                  Stille Nacht

                  Tallis' Canon

                  Valet will ich dir geben

                                                                       

Opus 72

   Psalm 103

         unpublished (as of September 2005)

             S solo, violin, organ (cello ad lib)

             German and English text versions

             Text: Psalm 103, Nun lob mein Seel (st. 3)

             Tune: Nun lob, mein Seel

                      Composed: 20. Oct. 1977

    ÒFrau Margarethe Beck in Hamburg zur Vollendung ihres 80. Lebensjahres in herzlicher Zuneigung gewidmet.Ó                                          --deutsche Fassung

    Dedicated to my friend Rodney Schrank

                                                --English version

     First performance: Dec. 11, 1977 in St. Severinkirche, Hademarschen by Thea Kruse, sop., Elizabeth Peters (sister-in-law), vl, and the composer, org.

                                                                       

Opus 73

   12 Winzlinge fŸr Klavier (12 little ditties for piano)

         H. Constabel, Hademarschen, 1978.

             piano

             Contents:

                  Approach

                  Courting

                  Fulfillment

                  The Prude

                  Jester

                  Blockhead

                  Etude

                  Fugue

                  Canon

                  Chromatic Game

                  Passacaglia

                  Postlude

     ÒKlavierstŸck fŸr Stefan [a nephew] von seinem Lehrer Jan Bender.Ó                               --autograph score

 

Opus 74

   Six Variations for Organ on "Fortitudo"

         Chantry, 1980. ORG 8014

                     

                      Tune: Fortitudo (by L. David Miller)

    Òfor my dear friend L David [Miller] for his 60th birthday. J.B. 7.31.78Ó                         --autograph score