Concerto for Hammond Organ & Orchestra (2022) by Brian Raphael Nabors/Raphael Press

CONCERTO FOR HAMMOND ORGAN BRIAN RAPHAEL NABORS

Instrumentation

2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo)

2 Oboes (2nd doubling English Horn)

2 Clarinets in Bb (2nd doubling Bass Cl. in Bb)

2 Bassoons (2nd doubling Contrabassoon)

4 Horns in F

2 Trumpets in C

2 Trombones

Bass Trombone

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion (4 Players)

Percussion I:

1 large suspended cymbal, glockenspiel, vibraphone, bongos (with drum sticks), thunder sheet, tubular bells

Percussion II: crash cymbals, crotales, tubular bells, tambourine, whip, congas (with drum sticks)

Percussion III: bass drum, maracas, medium sized Tibetan singing bowl, wood blocks

Percussion IV: tam-tam (mallet, bow, triangle beater), drum set (movements 1 & 3)

Electric Guitar (1st & 3rd Mvt)

Bass Guitar (1st & 3rd Mvt)

Harp

Piano

Solo Hammond Organ Strings

Duration: 29:00

Score is Transposed

Performance Guide

Hammond | Tonewheel Organ

There are 2 sets of drawbars (upper and lower); one for each manual. They are divided into 3 sound groups that consist of sine waves at different pitches; Sub, Foundation, and Brilliance. The numbers on each drawbar represent the volume of that particular harmonic, thus giving the instrument up to 253,000,000 possible sound combinations:

Within the score, drawbar settings are notated in numerical form, with each number corresponding to the 3 sound groups as shown in the diagram: Ex. [83 4537 583]

This work was designed to be performed on up to 6 different models of the H ammond Organ: traditional models—B-3, C-3, A-100 as well as digital models—B-3mk2, C-3mk2, Sk2

The digital models have the capability of storing presets for drawbar and effect settings, enabling the player to quickly change setups during performance. The links for each respective model' s owners manual are listed below with page numbers that contain instructions for storing presets. The piece can also be performed on non-Hammond brand equivalents such as the Vicount Live organ series.

B-3mk2/C-3mk2—http://hammondorganco.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/B3mk2.pdf (pg.43-44) Sk2—http://hammondorganco.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/OM-SKseries.pdf (pg. 24-25) (up to 10 presets)

The drawbar settings are listed below by order of appearance in each movement:

Movement 1: Rhapsody

[73 4010 500] Ped: 84

[73 4018 580]

[88 8888 888]

03 4010 500]

[58 8080 880]

[78 3513 057]

[80 4588 663]

Movement 2: Invocation

[88 5604 362] Ped: 80

[88 6200 000]

[88 8888 888] Ped: 88

[84 4000 000] Ped: 60

[84 2332 534] Ped: 50

[84 4500 000] Ped: 50

Movement 3: Finale

[73 4010 500]

[87 4200 000]

Vibrato and Chorus Setting: Preferably the Vibrato and Chorus mode knob/switch should be set to either C1 , C2, or C3.

*If comfortable, organ soloists can also opt to perform the piece without following the suggested drawbar settings. This leaves the performer the freedom to experiment with the registrations in response to the context of the music throughout the piece.

Range/Scoring:

Each manual on the organ has 61 keys, each spanning a range from C2-C6. The 25-note pedal board has a range of C2 to middle C (C4). Note: The range/octave positions given in the score serve as a guide for the player to know one’s hand & foot position. In terms of sound, the octaves can shift based on drawbar registration.

Performance Guide (continued)

Symbols -

There are several symbols throughout the score that are used to indicate the various effects of the Hammond Organ.

Tremolo On

Indicates for player to turn on Tremolo on rotary speaker (fast)

Percussion Off

Indicates for player to turn on Tremolo on rotary speaker (fast)

Chorale On

Indicates for player to turn on Chorale on rotary speaker (slow)

Percussion On with 3rd -

Turn on percussion with harmonic at the 3rd and Normal level

Percussion On with 2nd

Turn on percussion with harmonic at the 2nd and Normal level.

Other Notes/Symbols

1 top manual lower manual

Both hands on top manual

Both hands on bottom manual

Left hand on top manual, right hand on bottom

Right hand on top manual, left hand on bottom

Ex. Notification of new draw bar change: [83 4567 875]

other notes:

*accidentals apply of the entirety of the measure

Stage Setup

If performing on a traditional Hammond model (B-3, C-3, A-100), the Leslie speaker should be placed on stage near the performer (behind or to the side without obstructing view or movement of the musicians on stage).

If performing on a digital Hammond model or tone wheel organ equivalent, soloists can either use a Leslie speaker or a keyboard amp for a monitor. For more balance of sound, a sound technician can also amplify the organ through the house speakers.

Program Notes

Concerto for Hammond Organ was commissioned by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Carlos Izcaray, Music Director and by members of Sound Investment.

In the history of American music, the Hammond organ has seamlessly crossed genres and broken barriers. From the spiritual silos of the Black church, to the smooth and vivacious world of Jazz, to the hardy soulfulness of Rock: the Hammond has been there. This concerto is my love letter to all that has made me the artist I am. It is a love letter to the beauty, pain, and struggle that American music was born from.

The piece is divided into 3 movements: a rhapsody, threnody, and gospel praise break:

The first movement, Rhapsody, is an exploration of American sound. It is a celebration of the many cultural influences that make the US such a unique place. In a nutshell, it is everything we continue to strive for; fluid cultural integration. I send the soloist and orchestra through a whirlwind of genres. There’s Latin flavor, modern jazz, hard rock, all thrown into a contemporary sound block.

The second movement, Invocation: Threnody for the Victims of Senseless Violence, Racism, Hatred & Bigotry presents many truths that concern the well-being of our nation’s people. Unfortunately, even in this current day and age, America is no stranger to tragedy. Within recent years, we've had numerous isolated events of terror: mass school shootings, church shootings, unlawful killings of unarmed citizens, and unjust groups who threaten our ability to have peace by pushing an agenda of hate and division. To top it off, a global pandemic. I wanted this movement to be a moment where we pay homage to all of the innocent people lost, reflect on who we are, and re-examine our core values if we are to live in a nation where everyone, regardless of where you come from, can prosper. This movement features the traditional American hymn Amazing Grace and the spiritual "Oh Freedom." In partnership with the orchestra, the organ introduces these inspirational themes with sound interruptions symbolic of a very cut-throat, visceral pain to create an all-encompassing duality of hope and tragedy. After a roaring improvised cadenza, the strings split into 14-part divisi and voices throughout the orchestra gradually gather and ascend to a soaring climax, with each individual voice creating a counterpoint symbolic of the souls of the innocent victims ascending to claim their peace.

Finally, we have the third movement, Finale that is essentially one large gospel praise break between the organ and orchestra. It is a glimpse of what freedom sounds like and the peace that we’ll have when we all understand, as Dr. Maya Angelou said, that “we are more alike, than we are unalike.” This movement is lightning fast, bringing about the sound world of the Afro-American church, where echoes of praise ring out amongst the musicians.

–Brian Raphael Nabors (2022)