Adagio Espressivo in D-flat ('Ye holy angels bright')

Arthur Murray Goodhart (christened 25 July 1866 – 1941) was a British composer and organist. He was born in Wimbledon, Surrey, England in 1866, and was educated at Eton College and then King's College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Pitt Club. He was a pupil of Sir Joseph Barnby, Dr George M. Garrett, Dr Charles W. Pearce, C. Forsyth, and Frank Bridge. He Taught classics at Eton School, and was a housemaster there.

As a composer, he wrote orchestral, organ, and piano pieces, songs, carols, military band music.

"Adagio Espressivo in D-flat" is a rarity and a real "period piece." It was composed "in memoriam" of Arthur H. Mann, Organist of King's College, Cambridge from 1876-1929.

The work is based on phrases from Mann's "Nunc dimittis in E" (Lord, now lettest thou thy servant, depart in peace), as well as phrases from the hymn, "Ye holy angels bright" (Darwall), the final hymn that was sung at Dr. Mann's funeral service in King's College Chapel, November 22, 1929.

I believe that Goodhart improvised the "sketch" of this at that service, and the actual piece was published by Oxford University Press, dated Dec. 1930, and inscribed: "In memoriam amici."

For these seeking a unique treatment of this fine and famous hymn, this is a superb example of a wonderfully "old-fashioned" style. In the shape of the grand arch, it will give you an opportunity to work on making a smooth crescendo and decrescendo, while keeping the "pull" and emotional flow always in the foreground.

I recorded this piece last November, never uploaded it, and only found it today. For some reason I rejected it outright, but now, I guess it sounds OK... ;-)

The score is attached below, a photo of Arthur Goodhart, and one of Dr. Mann, along with a father (former chorister) and two sons (current choristers) in 1919.