Elegy

W. Stanley Vann (1910-2010) was an extrememly distinguished British organist and composer, most remembered for his tenure as Organist and Master of the Music at Peterborough Cathedral (1953-1977).

Rather than try to give a "squeezed-in" biography, I'll give this link to a website created by his son, which gives full details, recordings, lists of works, etc.

http://www.stanleyvannmusic.org.uk/index.htm

Vann was a distinctive and distinguished composer, and his works have a "certain sound" to them. His old recordings, made with the choir of Peterborough, were an ENORMOUS influence on me. A former assistant from the pre-Peterborough days told me, "Stanley could get as much, if not more, from 'ordinary boys', as Willcocks (meaning the famous David Willconcks) could get from 'Kings-type boys', meaning of course King's College, Cambridge.

"Elegy" was published in 1991 by Oceumuse. It bears the dedication "In Memoriam, J.K.". I believe "J.K." was a local organist.

Like the previously uploaded "Aria," It is a mesmerizing piece, both rhapsodic and measured at the same time. The rich melodies and harmonies were very much part of Vann's writing.

The solemn, measured tread reaches a fairly grand climax, before melting away and returning to the opening material, which concludes differently than at the opening.

Like much of Vann's music, there something of the touch of the exotic here, skillfully woven into texture with the grand "cathedral arch," that is so much a part of this style.

I never met Stanley Vann, but always had tremendous admiration for him. Many of his recordings with the choir of Peterborough Cathedral had a great influence upon me - not only for the musical performances, but increasing in me a desire to devote my life to the Anglican style and tradition - something I knew nothing about at the time.

Several photos of Stanley Vann and of the great Peterborough Cathedral are attached below.