The Little Red Lark (An Old Irish Air)

Joseph Waddell Clokey (August 28, 1890, New Albany, Indiana – September 14, 1960, Covina, California) was a student of Edgar Stillman Kelley. He served as dean of the School of Fine Arts at his alma mater, Miami University 1939-46 and had previously been professor of organ at Miami University (1916–1923) and Pomona College. His work included two symphonies including the "Dorian" Symphony, two orchestral suites, a string quartet, a cello and violin sonata, twelve choral works in large form, five operas, organ suites, many organ pieces, and more than a hundred published choral works.

I've uploaded quite a few of Clokey's pieces, and many enjoyed them, so, hopefully, this will meet with the same reception.

Today is St. Patrick's Day, and this is another traditional Irish Air, but one that is far less known than "Danny Boy."

Clokey arranged this as an "Encore transcription," and would make a perfect one. After a BIG finish in a recital, the last thing you (or your audience!) need is another LOUD piece! However, being soft does not mean that it is easy!

The piece was composed in Claremont, California on Sept. 10, 1933, and published by J. Fischer & Bro. in 1934.

In this piece, you'll hear virtually every "solo" stop on the Salisbury Willis, and you'll hear them in this order:

Solo: Violoncello with Celeste and tremulant
Solo: Clarinet
Solo: Cor Anglais (with super coupler to bring it to 8' pitch)
Solo: Flute Harmonique
Swell: Hautboy with tremulant
Solo: Flute Harmonique with tremulant

The text of " The Little Red Lark" was written by Alfred Perceval Graves (1846 - 1931), and is found in "Irish Songs and Ballads," published in 1880.

The text is given in the First Comment.

A wonderfully "emotional" Irish tune, and the PERFECT encore! :-)