A few years ago I took retirement and moved to the Isère in France. I have had a love of Gregorian Chant since my childhood and over the last few years have written a number of pieces for the organ for use in a liturgical setting incorporating the chant of the day. These became a collection that I have called “Esquisses grégoriennes” or “Gregorian Sketches” since they are based on the Gregorian chants in the Graduale Romanum. I have recently (and very sadly) returned to England. I miss very much the Abbey of Triors and the community that inspired this music.
My music
Since Gregorian chant is focused on words as well as melody its rhythms are irregular. It also uses the eight church modes which give a much more varied tonal context than merely major and minor keys. These two characteristics frequently produce some surprising effects as well as posing some difficult problems of tonality and rhthym. That is why for the majority of my compositions I deliberately omit a time signature.I hope you enjoy this collection which contains not only pieces for liturgical use but also items better suited to the concert hall.
Peter Sheehan 1947 - 2018
A note from his familyPeter sadly passed away in June 2018, but the family has decided to continue with his website so that his music may be enjoyed by others. He was greatly concerned with keeping the great Catholic tradition of plainsong alive and his music is a living testimony to his lifelong dedication. Apart from this preface, the website is as he left it. We, his family, hope that you will play his music and help to keep this tradition alive.