|
The Last Judgement (1999) |
For organ - c. 20'
The Last Judgement was commissioned by the Saint James Cathedral of Seattle for the inauguration of its Rosales organ. It is a through-composed symphonic tableau that follows the structure of the text of Matthew, underlining it in a figuralistic manner. Other scriptural references are also to be found: an image of the sun that turns dark (Acts of the Apostles 2: 20), and, before the gathering of the nations, twelve chords representing the thrones for the judgement of the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19: 28). The thematic material combines original figures with Gregorian chant: the Gloria from the Missa de Angelis; the Alleluia of the Epiphany; Dies irae, the sequence from the Requiem Mass; In paradisum, the burial antiphon. The sections in recitative style follow the declamatory rhythm of the corresponding verses in Arabic, the composer’s mother tongue. Finally, the registration requires a symphonic style organ such as the Goll organ in Memmingen, Germany, at which the composer prepared the orchestral expression of this work.
World premiere by Joseph Adam, April 29, 2000, at Saint James Cathedral, Seattle, Washington.
© Naji Hakim