Chorale Prelude on the Song, 'Why does azure deck the sky'

Recently, I've been given the opportunity to make some "demos" and to do a review of the fine new sample set of the Steinmayer organ at St. Magnus in Marktoberdorf.

While the organ is modest in size, it does possess variety and color, and can play a pretty wide spectrum of the literature.

The "Chorale Prelude on the Song "Why does azure deck the sky'" was composed by Sir Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924) and is based on an 1865 song by C. H. H. Parry. It dates from 1924, but it's "origin" is earlier than that.

At Sir Hubert Parry's funeral in St Paul's Cathedral on October 16th 1918, a few of his friends made a small wreath of melodies, which were woven together and played. The pieces in this book have been written and given by these friends and a few besides, as a rather larger wreath, in loving memory of him. The title of the book was suggested by the original heading on his own piece (which stands as the first of them). "For the Little Organ Book". (1924)

This work is included in that book.

Although the sounds are not "English," once again, the outcome is a pleasing one.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of C. V. Stanford and C. H. H. Parry.