Passacaglia in G minor, Op. 17 — Egbert Juffer

This large-scale organ work by Dutch-British composer Egbert Juffer is a dramatic Passacaglia built on a solemn ground bass. Written in 2021/2022, it was part of an exam portfolio of compositions submitted at the London College of Music, for which Egbert Juffer was awarded the Licentiate diploma in Composition in 2024. The Passacaglia in G minor opens with a grave theme (♩ = 63) and develops through 14 Variations, each prefaced by a literary quotation on the nature of music. The Variations range from intimate and lyrical to brilliant and full of colour, reaching a grand climax at the centre of the work before concluding with a quiet, chorale-like restatement of the Theme in the final Variation.

Why you’ll love it:

Expansive architecture – A full-scale Passacaglia with 14 variations, each exploring new textures and colours.

Unique literary framework – Every Variation is paired with - and represents a quotation from figures such as Mozart, Nietzsche, Bach, and Wilde, offering timeless reflections on the nature of music through the Variations.

Rich registration palette – From delicate flutes and celestes to mixtures, reeds, and full organ, registrations are carefully suggested for each stage of the journey.

Clear engraving – 7 pages of music notation presented within a 13-page publication, cleanly laid out with 2 pages of manual and registration directions and 1 page of literary quotations.

Advanced challenge – Suitable for players at UK Grade 7–8 level, requiring stamina, manual and pedal independence, and confident registration management. Performance time is about 12–14 minutes, depending on pacing and interpretation.

Catalogue context – This mature Passacaglia contrasts with Juffer’s earlier Passacaglia in D minor, Op. 4 (c. 3–3½ minutes), which presents the form in compact miniature.

About the composer:

Egbert Juffer (b. 1991) holds multiple diplomas in composition and theory (LLCM, LVCM, AMusLCM) and has quickly earned a reputation for vibrant, audience-friendly organ works released through EJ Music Publishing Ltd.

Publication details:

Passacaglia in G minor, Op. 17 — 13 pages in total (7 pages of music notation), organ score in PDF format. © 2024 EJ Music Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved; purchase licenses you to play from the copy but not to reproduce or distribute it. Catalogue No.: EJMP03021.

Add sheet music of this commanding Passacaglia in G minor by Egbert Juffer to your repertoire and let its architecture, symbolism, and power enrich your recital repertoire.