Nico Muhly's Patterns is a work in four sections for solo Organ. Patterns was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for the 2014 Biennial National Convention in Boston Massachusetts U.S.A.'Patterns is composed in four sections each of which is sort of a rhythmic étude. The first (?Move Along?) is a perpetual motion machine with staggered and angular rhythms thrown between the pedals and the left hand. The second movement (?Palindromes?) is calmer and is centered around an idée fixe in the left hand while the right hand interjects and ornaments. The pedals here are a clumsy cousin constantly upturning the sense of rhythmic stability. The third movement (?Similar?) is all to do with ways to divide up the bar: seven eight six five four ? it?s all there. Then the finale (?Very Fast Music?) is a perpetual motion machine on its highest setting ? manic and hyper with hiccoughs offsetting the regularity of some of the rhythms.' - Nico MuhlyStephen Farr in the September/October 2015 issue of Choir & Organ writes that this work is 'full of filigree figuration and no little rhythmic complexity.'

Fast Cycles for Organ is a piece composed by Nico Muhly which appears on organist James McVinnie's album 'Cycles'. The song was commissioned by McVinnie and dates from 2009. A difficult piece it showcases both the talents of Muhly as composer and the organist who plays it. Fast Cycles draws from Muhly's cyclical composition style and has been called an 'obsessively driven toccata'. As the piece drives on the hypnotic qualities of the upper notes of the Organ contrast with the stark and foreboding pedal tones. The dynamics of the piece result in passages of soft beauty andexplosive ferocity climaxing in a closing salvo that is to be played 'as fast as possible'. An exciting piece Fast Cycles will no doubt show off the virtuosity of the organist who performs it. 

Nico Muhly's O Antiphon Preludes for Organ.First performed by James McVinnie during a Meditation for Christmas at Westminster Abbey on 19 December 2010.Duration: 25 minutes