Fugue, Chorale and Epilogue (Six Pieces, No. 4)

Here is a comparison of Hereford vs/ Salisbury.

The Hereford version came out a little different from the Salisbury recording.

For one thing, it's a little slower, and some of the registrations are different as well.

For the sake of comparison, I tried to do the two of the them so it was be the same - as much as possible between the two organs.

Because of the "closeness" of the Choir at Hereford, I had use it a little different than at Salisbury. I actually think that the Solo Clarinet sounds "better" on this one, and I think the Hereford Swell strings are "prettier" than the slightly "rougher" ones at Salisbury.

As I mentioned in the first upload, the Gloucester organ was Howells favorite. Though not exact, I think the Salisbury organ would be closer to what the Gloucester organ WAS before the major rebuild.

You know they actually REMOVED the 32' Reed in the rebuild!!! :-0 :-(

They've since "replaced" it, but it only has half-length resonators, and does not provide the thunder the old organ had... ;-)

A few more details about the piece itself:

It is dated June, 1940.

The "Fugue" begins "Quasi lento, serioso ed espressivo." It becomes "tranquillo, teneramente (ma un poco piu mosso)", as it leaves the Swell and passes to the Choir.

There is a gradual increase in time and tone (this part is the hardest to register, as there really are NOT any clear "phrase spots" to add stops at). This leads to the "Chorale," which is marked "Largamente." Thus eventually builds to the tremendous climax before it melts away into the "Epilogue," which is marked "tranquillo, mesto ma dolce."

This is SUCH a significant work, and I'm glad to share it with listeners who may not be familiar with it.

I'll try to do some other works from the set, as has been suggester/requested... ;-)

I used to be able to sail through all of them, but I'd really have to work to get the "Paean" back to where it should be...