Discover the Joy of Manual Miniatures: A Journey Through Organ Music
- Tim Knight Music
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Exploring the World of Organ Voluntaries
This comment came from a reviewer in an Organ Magazine about one of the manual miniatures sets. If you are an organist, you will be aware of the 18th-century English school of organ voluntaries. This includes not only John Stanley but also Maurice Greene, William Boyce, Henry Heron, and my favourite, William Walond.
Many pieces in this genre feature slow diapason movements followed by lively trumpet tunes. You can listen to a recording below, courtesy of our good friend Rien Schalkwijk. Others are rather 'severe' slow-moving and melancholic.
The Evolution of Manual Miniatures
It has been a year since a blog was released regarding the sets of Manual Miniatures. At that time, there were only three sets available. Now, we proudly present six sets, all aimed at organists who may not be comfortable with pedals. This includes those who play instruments without pedals or even pianists who have reluctantly turned to the organ.
Writing 36 miniatures (one-page pieces) in various styles has been a challenge. Each piece needed to be useful to the player and not overly difficult. After all, the music from the composers mentioned above is by no means easy! We are delighted by the reviews from the music press. Some have described the pieces as wonderful teaching material, while others have called them 'absolute gems'.
The Global Impact of Miniatures
With the help of organists worldwide and a selection of wonderful recordings (many in the playlist above), these miniatures now find new homes around the world almost daily! This has been the most worthwhile composing project I have undertaken in recent years. It has reinforced the need for creating music that serves a purpose and fulfills a need.
Christmas Selections and New Compositions
We also offer music for manuals in our Christmas selections. This includes winning entries from our recent competitions featuring composers from around the globe. Additionally, we have some beautiful sets from Alejandro Consolacion II, based in the Philippines. All of these composers have crafted beautifully constructed music without 'talking' down to the manuals-only performer.
Supporting Our Work
Finally, creating new content is time-consuming. If you feel inclined, you might consider using the 'Buy me a coffee' app to support our work with a small donation. We would be ever so grateful. Please just click on the logo picture below to visit our page:
Conclusion
In conclusion, the journey through the world of Manual Miniatures is one filled with joy and creativity. Each piece serves a purpose, whether for teaching or personal enjoyment. As we continue to expand our offerings, we invite you to explore this rich repertoire of organ music. Your support helps us to keep creating, and we look forward to sharing more with you in the future.
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