This is a new printing of the original edition on sturdy, acid-free paper. This toccata is not far in style from Edmundson’s
still-popular
toccata on Vom Himmel Hoch, his best known piece which is
the fourth movement of “Christus Advenit,” his second Christmas suite. 12 pages. Highest quality guaranteed. Size of music is
9.5" x 12.5". $8.00.
Garth C Edmundson (1892-1971) was born on April 11, 1892, in Prospect, Pennsylvania. He studied music with
Harvey Gaul in Pittsburgh, Lynnwood Farnam in New York, Joseph Bonnet in Paris, and Isador Phillipp at the Paris Conservatory.
After serving several churches in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, he was organist-director from 1945 until 1968 at
First Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree in 1957 by
Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where he had taught for a year.
How Brightly Shines is based on the tune associated with “Wie schön
leuchtet der Morgenstern,” a well-known hymn by Philipp Nicolai (1597). The text makes this music appropriate for
Christmas and Epiphany: “How brightly shines the morning Star! / The nations see and hail afar / The light in Judah shining. /
Thou David’s son of Jacob’s race / The Bridegroom, and the King of grace, / For thee our hearts are pining!”
Nicolai’s tune (1599), possibly adapted from an older tune, is prominently heard throughout Edmundson’s brilliant notes;
the fast, unrelenting music of the toccata require a calm, piano technique sustained throughout the piece. Also, there is a short
and fun pedal solo near the end. Moderately difficult.