Woodland Idyl

The name of Roy Spaulding Stoughton, used to be quite well-known, although you don't hear too much about him these days.

He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on January 28, 1884, and died on February 1, 1953. The little bit of information that I have on him says that (as of 1919) that he "is a teller in a Bank, and is not at present engaged actively as an organist, devoting all his spare time to composition."

His work in a bank, along with his unique and colorful writing certainly give him claim for an "unusual position" in the organ world!

All of his pieces, are elaborate, highly evocative works, that will challenge the performer in terms of technical execution and registrational aptitude.

This work, "Woodland Idyl" is smaller than most of his output, which often take form in extended suites.

It was published by Arthur P. Schmidt in 1952, and is dedicated: "To Alexander Schreiner, Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City". Schreiner (1901-1987) is well-known to many organists, and was a major figure in the organ world of the USA.

The Salisbury Willis isn't the massive Skinner that Schreiner played, but it certainly lives up to the demands necessary to bring this piece off successfully. With the exception of the optional chime part at the end, which I omitted, all the sounds and colors are present.

In addition to the obvious sounds, notice the subtle color of the Swell Vox Humana as an accompanimental stop. :-)

The mood is lush and cooling, like a dark woodland glade on a warm afternoon - perhaps such a day as the first day of June. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Roy Spaulding Stoughton (which I found on the website of Michael's Music Service, restorers of much of Spaulding's music, as well as many long-forgotten gems from other no-longer-famous composers.

There are also two photos of Alexander Schreiner attached.