Gaudeamus

Today is Ascension Day, the great festival that is observed each year. It is customary to sound a fanfare on this occasion, taking verses from Psalm 47 as our example:

God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump.

Since I'm fresh out of fanfares, I found this nice fanfare-like setting as a "substitute."

Frank Maurice Jephson (1886 to 20 April 1917), referred to as F. Maurice Jephson on his compositions, was an organist and composer, whose principal published output mainly consists of piano music, with some music for organs and choirs.

Born in Derby to Mr T and Mrs E Jephson, he gained the Associate Diploma of the Royal College of Organists (ARCO) and by age 16 he was assistant organist at Westbourne Park Church in Derby, later moving to London to becoming organist of the Presbyterian Church, Richmond in 1904. It is unclear if he was himself a Presbyterian. He was married and lived at an address near Kew Gardens, London.

Frank joined the 1st/5th Bn. London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade) and held the rank of Rifleman. He died of wounds sustained in action, possibly at the Battle of Arras, in a base hospital at Etaples on 20th April 1917 and was buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

"Gaudeamus", which literally means "Let us," usually is read as "Let us rejoice."

Jephson's setting is a fine example of the period showing the influence of Elgar. It strides along with confidence, using a steady build up in the "framing" sections. The middle section is quieter, and the Solo Clarinet is heard, leading back into a steady and grand crescendo.

Since this is Ascension Day, the Solo Tuba also gets a chance to toot! :-)

The score is attached below, and although I don't have a photo of Frank Jephson in life, I did attach a photo of his grave.

O sing praises, sing praises unto our
God; O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.