Passacaglia in G Minor for Orchestra

A Passacaglia originated as a street dance (from the Spanish “passé” and “calle”). It was thought to have originated as a dance form in 17th century Spain that was adapted by other countries such as Italy and France. Another unconfirmed source places the Passacaglia as originating in the New World as a Native American sex dance with its triple rhythm and emphasis on a prolonged downbeat, which was exported to Spain. The form consists of a triple meter of long-short beats (i.e., 1-2, 3). Classically the rhythm is played over noted in the bass voice for 8 measures (as a “ground bass”) that is maintained throughout while a series of variations on the theme or harmonic progressions occurs over subsequent measures.

The Passacaglia on this recording was written in the key of G minor and consists of the theme and 20 following variations, each adding additional complexity in terms of notes and rhythms. In keeping with the apocryphal origin from the New World as a “sex dance” I have created the final variation as a tango rhythm thereby returning the form to its American roots. There are two endings to the last variation, one continuing in the minor key, the other modulating to G Major. The piece (regardless of which ending is used) ends on the G Major tonic (Picardy third). The Orchestral version on this recording employs the first ending in G minor concluding with the Picardy third.

The Passacaglia for Orchestra was digitally remastered from the Sibelius generated piano midi file employing orchestral soundbites for this recording by Paul Kraushaar at Para-sight Records Recording Studios in Grass Valley, California.