Iain Farrington

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  • Home
  • Biography
  • Arrangements
    • Chamber Orchestra
    • Symphony Orchestra
    • Chamber Music
    • Choral and Vocal
    • Piano/Organ
    • Opera
    • Songs
    • Piano reductions
    • Elgar Complete Edition
    • List of orchestral performers
  • Compositions
    • Orchestra
    • Piano
    • Organ
    • Chamber
    • Vocal & Choral
  • Pianist
    • London 2012 Olympics
    • Mahler Piano Series
  • Organist
  • Art Deco Trio
  • Recordings
  • Diary
  • Contact
Picture
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.

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
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