Composer Clarence Mader
Released 11/2025
Use Lent, Preludes, Recitals
Difficulty Moderately diff.
Catalog no. 160-888
Price $17 (U.S.)

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Description
"A Lenten Impromptu" is based on a chorale melody by the 17th century German composer Johann Wolfgang Franck. The chorale melodies are derived from Franck’s collection of chorales
entitled, Geistliche Lieder. Mader bases this beautifully crafted work on the chorale
Wer Christi Leiden recht hochschatzt,
Wird innig durch dasselb’ ergetzt.
The subtitle reads: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2)

"A Passiontide Fantasy" poignantly recalls the Passion of Christ. It is based on the first line of the Lenten chorale tune Du verlangest Jesum hier, Such’ ihn aber recht in dirby J.W. Franck. The repeated triadic theme at the beginning, on which the entire piece is based, corresponds to the text: "where were you when I was calling you?"

Inspired throughout his career by a collection of sacred songs by German composer Johann Wolfgang Franck (1644–1710), Clarence Mader used tunes from Franck's Geistliche Lieder as the compositional basis for "Four Motets,"
as well as several works for organ solo including "Obbligato for Flutes," "A Lenten Impromptu," "A Passiontide Fantasy," and others. --Jacob Benda