A Ringmer Suite

Gordon Lawson was born in Lenzie, near Glasgow in December 1931 and was educated in Glasgow and later in N. Wales where, during World War 11 his father was working for a government ministry. In 1950, he went up to St. Johns College, Cambridge and gained his MA and B.Mus. In 1954 he joined the R.A. for national service and in 1956, was appointed to Ellesmere College, moving to Malvern in 1962 to become assistant Director of Music and to Brighton in 1966 as Director of Music.

He retired from teaching in 1987 to devote more time to composition, to travel abroad as an examiner for the Royal Schools of Music, to care for an elderly relative and to spend more time in Spain where he has had a property since 1973 and which is now his permanent home. He has more than 150 compositions to his name, many of which are published.

"A Ringmer Suite" was published by Oecumuse in 2003. The music shows a high quality and distinctive, individual style. The six movements contrast greatly, and while the compositional "style" is contemporary, it makes for fine listening to all but the most "uptight" ears!

"Intrada" gives the piece a nice opening. It's rather gentle and flowing, and moves nicely through some interesting tonalities.

"Requiem aeternam" is a fascinating piece, with a syncopated part in the left hand, and a chant-like theme in the right. I found some very unique colors for this movement.

"Canticle" is song-like and flows perfectly. Again, the key-center moves around, and the chromatics "keep you listening."

"Benedictus" is a beautiful miniature in 5/4, with delicate, shimmering phrases.

"Lux aeterna" is highly atmospheric, using spacing and slow-moving rhythms to great effect.

"De Profundis (Recessional) is a fascinating movement, which is quite impassioned, and even rhapsodic. The "end" of the piece features moving manual parts above double-pedal. It also calls for a significant crescendo and diminuendo. ALL the dynamic changes are done with pistons alone!