Amazing Grace

The theme used by the variation cycle 'Amazing Grace' is the traditional English song 'New Britain', which is based on a Christian text by the English poet John Newton (1725-1807) who was a slave trader, but became converted at the end of his life, fought against slave trade and worked as a preacher for the English church. In his song 'Amazing Grace' he says thank you for his wondrous conversion and describes it as grace of God. Hakim composed the Variations for solo organ (ED 20862) and for soprano and organ (ED 20831).