Veni Emmanuel,
Fantasy of Abstractions
for Band

Veni Emmanuel consists of continuous variations on an ancient French plainsong more commonly known as "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." The theme is stated initially by unaccompanied timpani in the Lento introduction, then by the quartet of horns. A brisk Allegro molto vivace begins a series of variations that subject the theme to rapidly unfolding and often abstract treatments. The final fugal variation leads to a triumphant tutti restatement of the theme, and unbridled percussion bring the work to its full-throated conclusion.

Sartor composed the piece in honor of David Van Vactor, his primary composition teacher and mentor at the University of Tennessee and a professed admirer of the theme on which the variations are based.

Published by Metamorphic Music.