Ponder Anew: Partitas on “Lobe den Herren” and “Engelberg”

This vibrant collection brings together two substantial and imaginative organ partitas by Wayne L. Wold, offering organists a wealth of color, creativity, and liturgical usefulness. Centered on the hymn tunes LOBE DEN HERREN (“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”) and ENGELBERG (“When in Our Music God Is Glorified”), these works display Wold’s musical craft and variety. Each variation draws on an array of engaging compositional techniques, including meter shifts, counterpoint, toccata figuration, ritornello patterns, and expressive “crunch” chords with added pitches.

The partitas are highly flexible in use. Organists may perform them in their entirety for a festival prelude or recital set, or select individual movements as service music. The opening movements of each partita make excellent extended hymn introductions, or individual movements can be used in in alternation with sung stanzas for a hymn festival format. Ideal for intermediate and advanced organists, this collection offers inspiring and satisfying repertoire and uplifts the church’s song.