Lay my burden down
​for Organ Solo

Lay my burden down is a series of pieces based on African-American spirituals and traditional songs. It features five compositions, each one being based on a particular traditional melody. The collection opens with When I lay my burden down, an energetic, positive and gospel-inspired work. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child is an elegiac and solemn piece, building to a passionate climax before subsiding into a reflective resignation. Amazing Grace is a continuous sequence of jazz/gospel variations on the well-known tune, full of joy and optimism. Steal Away is mostly simple and reflective, the melody sounding over a rocking accompaniment, becoming gradually more intense, then disappearing in the highest register. The final piece in the set is Every time I feel the spirit, a jazzy display piece that develops into a toccata to finish the group. Steal Away was composed in 2015, while the other movements were written in February 2017 and were first performed by the composer.

Movements can be played separately or in any combination.

Total duration: c.24 minutes

Available to purchase from Aria Editions here

Listen to the work here:

1. When I lay my burden down (3'03)
2. Sometimes I feel like a motherless child (4’47)
3. Amazing Grace (6'35)
4. Steal Away (4’46)
5. Every time I feel the spirit (4’38)
​
Recorded on the album Live Wire here