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Composition - - American Recorder Society
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Coptic Church Memory
By Kass Finlay McAuliffe 2012
 
S A T B
 
 
"Coptic Church Memory" (composed in 2012 for strings) formed the soundtrack for my second YouTube video opposing demolition of the local Coptic Church, originally used by Methodists in the 1800's - mid 1960's. I incorporated bars 9-19 of Bach's [Toccata &] Fugue in D Minor (for organ) as it was recognizably church-like and because I was also listing organists. My simplified Introduction incorporating motifs from the Fugue and slower tempo were to reflect community dismay. One day I found the door of the closed church open, and walked in -- its derelict state is in my video. Eventually, in consultation with the Coptic community (who had also been in contact with me in connection with these videos) Council had it demolished and replaced by an outdoor sculptural version with no roof needing repairs. This arrangement for SATB recorders dates from the COVID Sydney lockdown period in mid-2021.
-- Kass Finlay McAuliffe
 
See also Mellow Morrow by the composer, referencing the Coptic Church demoliton.
 
The lower parts are pretty easy, but the top line follows the opening shape of the fugue in Bach’s famous Toccata & Fugue in D minor, with widening leaps descending below a repeating high note (easy on keyboard, more challenging on a recorder). When that note is the high A, the thumb position becomes more critical and thus we have the composer’s suggestion of this piece as “moderate” difficulty. Enjoy the fun quotations of the first three notes of the Bach Toccata, tying it all together. The tempo is not intended to be as fast as Bach’s fugue; players can take their time. The second line fits comfortably on Tenor as well as Alto.
-- Glen Shannon
 
 
No. of Recorder Parts:
4
Difficulty:
Moderate
Occasion:
Any
Libraries:
New Music for Recorder
Date Added:
07/25/2021
Style:
Social/Casual, Concert, Laid-back/Slow, Tonal/Melodic