On a Basecamp site I belong to, Vidas Pinkevicius commented that he had completed a Fanfare on NICAEA last week. As I can always use music according to the church season, I reached out to him for the score so I could learn it for these weeks Trinity Sunday Mass. As always, Vidas doesn't disappoint. It's a neat little work in five parts. An introduction sets up the mood of the piece by having a walking bass line in the pedals and constantly changing harmonies on every beat.
Above it, a melodic line is heard in the right hand. When the introduction is finished, the hymn tune NICAEA (Holy, Holy, Holy) makes it's way into the right hand in an elaborated way. If you listen to each beat of piece, the melodic notes of NICAEA are being sounded, but in between each beat the melody is expanded upon. After the first time through the hymn tune, the introduction reappears, but this time at the dominant harmony (a fifth higher). This section works it's way back to the tonic and the chorale is heard again--again elaborated upon. The work ends with a return to the introduction back in the home key and some minor changes leading towards an arpeggiation towards the end.
I did change some of the effects of Vidas' original score and I hope he will forgive me for it. I liked a trimmed down the registration and slightly slower tempo to create a Pastorale or Nocturne-like effect and will be using it as a prelude for the services this weekend.