These are variations on „Maria durch ein Dornwald ging“ (Maria walks amid the thorns), a wonderful German Advent hymn originating from the Eichsfeld region north of Eisenach in Thuringia. Its quite simple yet expressive melody thrills me already for a while. As my daughter learned to play the flute a few years ago, I decided to compose some variations for flute and piano on this hymn (with a quite easy part notably for the flute) which I revised and completed by other variations later on. Recently, I thought about an adaptation to an instrumentation with a solo instrument capable of playing a second voice sometimes. This is where I finally ended up: a set of variations for cello and piano. Sheets of these variations are available on www.musicaneo.com/thomasgroh. I hope you enjoy listening to the variations!

Dornwald - 9

Dornwald - 8

Dornwald - 7

Dornwald - 6

Dornwald - 5

Dornwald - 4

Dornwald - 3

Dornwald - 2

Dornwald - 1

Dornwald - Thema

[English verion below]
Der Titel dieses Stücks nimmt offensichtlich Bezug auf die Litanies für Orgel von Jehan Alain aus dem Jahr 1937. Inspiriert durch dieses einzigartige Stück hatte ich vor etwa 20 Jahren erstmals die Idee, ebenfalls aus einem an eine Litanei erinnernden Motiv eine Komposition zu entwickeln (ohne damit den Anspruch erheben zu wollen, ein Stück von der musikalischen Qualität Jehan Alains schaffen zu können). Das Hauptmotiv des vorliegenden Stücks stand schnell fest. Im Lauf der Jahre kamen zahlreiche Nebenfiguren und Abwandlungen hinzu, von denen mich allerdings die wenigsten dauerhaft zufriedenstellten. So folgte ein sehr langer, von umfangreichen Pausen unterbrochener Entstehungsprozess, bis in diesem Sommer neue Ideen hinzukamen und sich alles wie von selbst zu einem stimmigen Ganzen fügte. Ich widme dieses Stück meinem Sohn zu seinem 18. Geburtstag.


The title “Litanies” obviously alludes to Jehan Alain's piece of the same name, written for organ in 1937. Inspired by this outstanding and unique composition, I had the idea, some 20 years ago, to create a piece of music based on a theme resembling a litany, too (without pretending, of course, that I would be able to equal in any way Alain's masterful quality as a composer). The main theme was notated quickly, but in the years since then, many variants and secondary themes that came to my mind did not satisfy me. Thus, I took a very long time and many ample interruptions before in this summer, with some new ideas everything fell into place as if by magic. I dedicate this piece to my beloved son on the occasion of his 18th birthday.

Litanies (Orgel solo)

[English version below]
Der Titel dieses Stücks nimmt offensichtlich Bezug auf die Litanies für Orgel von Jehan Alain aus dem Jahr 1937. Inspiriert durch dieses einzigartige Stück hatte ich vor etwa 20 Jahren erstmals die Idee, ebenfalls aus einem an eine Litanei erinnernden Motiv eine Komposition zu entwickeln (ohne damit den Anspruch erheben zu wollen, ein Stück von der musikalischen Qualität Jehan Alains schaffen zu können). Das Hauptmotiv des vorliegenden Stücks stand schnell fest. Im Lauf der Jahre kamen zahlreiche Nebenfiguren und Abwandlungen hinzu, von denen mich allerdings die wenigsten dauerhaft zufriedenstellten. So folgte ein sehr langer, von umfangreichen Pausen unterbrochener Entstehungsprozess, bis in diesem Sommer neue Ideen hinzukamen und sich alles wie von selbst zu einem stimmigen Ganzen fügte. Ich widme dieses Stück meinem Sohn zu seinem 18. Geburtstag.

The title “Litanies” obviously alludes to Jehan Alain's piece of the same name, written for organ in 1937. Inspired by this outstanding and unique composition, I had the idea, some 20 years ago, to create a piece of music based on a theme resembling a litany, too (without pretending, of course, that I would be able to equal in any way Alain's masterful quality as a composer). The main theme was notated quickly, but in the years since then, many variants and secondary themes that came to my mind did not satisfy me. Thus, I took a very long time and many ample interruptions before in this summer, with some new ideas everything fell into place as if by magic. I dedicate this piece to my beloved son on the occasion of his 18th birthday.

Litanies (für Saxophon & Orgel)



I composed these variations on "Hilf, Herr meines Lebens", a popular German chant, in 1992/3. You are listening to a recording made by Hans-Uwe Hielscher (to whom the variations are dedicated) on the magnificent Walcker organ of Wiesbaden's Marktkirche.

These variations will soon be available as sheet music on thomasgroh.musicaneo .com.

For more information about Hans Uwe Hielscher, see hielscher-music.de, for more information about the Marktkirche organ, see www.churchmusic.de.


Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 10

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 9

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 8

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 7

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 6

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 5

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 4

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 3

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 2

Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Variation 1

I composed these variations on "Hilf, Herr meines Lebens", a popular German chant, in 1992/3 and revised them several times until this final version was completed in 1998. You are listening to a recording made by Hans-Uwe Hielscher (to whom the variations are dedicated and who  interpreted them for the first time in public on August 28, 1999) on the magnificent Walcker organ of Wiesbaden's Marktkirche.

These variations are available as digital sheet music (pdf) on thomasgroh.musicaneo.com or as printed sheet music (via e-mail: musicmatters [at] posteo.de).

For more information about Hans Uwe Hielscher, see hielscher-music.de, for more information about the Marktkirche organ, see www.churchmusic.de.


Hilf, Herr meines Lebens - Theme

I composed this song in 2007 on the occasion of the retirement of my former professor of penal law. Though I don't know whether he really enjoyed leaving his post, the song expresses the fun of having done what has to be done and to have lots of time and space for what you really want to do...
The song is regularly played by my band Staircase Club (www.staircaseclub.org) which has also made this recording in 2010.
Lead Sheets of this song are available at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.

After Work

This is a prelude to the ancient Easter hymn "Christ ist erstanden", written for organ and alto saxophone. Rather unusually, it doesn't express an explosion of joy (as one would expect when thinking of an easter tune), but has a rather melancholic character due to its modal melody. The prelude is based on a spinning ostinato accompaniment in triplets which gives it yet another unusual turn for an easter tune...
The full score and parts for alto and tenor saxophone are available at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.

Christ ist erstanden (Intermezzo)

„Freu dich Erd und Sternenzelt“, a Christmas hymn, is based on a traditional bohemian melody. It is known to German catholics and protestants alike. This short prelude composed in 2015 has four parts. While two of them stick closely to the original melody, the other two change the melody considerably.
The full score and parts for alto and tenor saxophone are available at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.

Freu Dich, Erd und Sternenzelt

This is a short prelude (for organ and alto saxophone) to the well-known Gloria by Kathi Stimmer-Salzeder. I composed it in April 2015 on the occasion of the first communion of my son.
The full score and parts for alto and tenor saxophone can be downloaded for free at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.

Gloria (GL 169)

This is a modern, slightly jazzy prelude for organ & saxophone to a 17th century hymn (text written by Paul Gerhardt, melody composed by Johann Crüger in 1653). "Nun danket all" is one of the standard praises of catholics and protestants alike (GL 403, EG 322).
The score of this prelude is available at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.

Nun danket all und bringet Ehr (GL 403 & EG 322)

„Atme in uns, Heiliger Geist“ has been composed in the early 1980s in the Communauté Emmanuel (the French original is called „Esprit de Dieu, souffle de vie“). It is one of more modern songs inluded in the new German chatholic Hymnal (Gotteslob No. 346). The intonation for saxophone and organ, beginning with a rhythmic part and then assuming a more hymn-like character, tries to musically express the power of change brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Atme in uns, Heiliger Geist

„Maria durch ein Dornwald ging“ (Maria walks amid the thorns) is a wonderful German Advent hymn originating from the Eichsfeld region (north of Eisenach in Thuringia). Its melody thrilled me already some years ago. As my daughter just learned to play the flute at that time, I decided to compose some variations for piano and flute (with a quite easy part for the flute). I sketched a first version of the variations comprising notably the theme and simple versions of variations no. 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9. In summer 2016, I added the other variations and revised the original ones. The variations will soon be adapted for organ and saxophone.
The sheets of the variations will soon be available as digital sheets (pdf) at www.thomasgroh.musicaneo.com or as printed sheets (via e-mail: musicmatters [at] posteo.de).

Maria durch ein Dornwald ging (Variation 8)

Composer & arranger - saxophone & organ.

I feel at home in various styles (jazz, funk & soul, contemporary music, church music). So, don't be surprised to find very different songs and pieces on this site... Some of my compositions are available as sheet music on http://thomasgroh.musicaneo.com.
I appreciate your interest in my music. Please don't hesitate to contact me!

Best wishes, Thomas

[Photo taken by Ken Wagner] 

Thomas Groh

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