A Voluntary for Easter

Douglas Albert Guest (1916-1996) was born in May 1916 at Mortomley, near Sheffield, Yorkshire and was educated at Reading School and the Royal College of Music before taking up the Organ Scholarship at King's College Cambridge from 1935 - 39. In 1945, after distinguished war service, he became Director of Music at Uppingham School where he remained until 1950 when he was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral, a position he held with other teaching and musical appointments and producing his only published organ piece, an Easter Voluntary. In 1957 Douglas Guest moved to the Cathedral of Worcester, taking up other appointments there in addition to his work at the Cathedral. In 1961 he moved to Westminster Abbey where he remained until 1981. During his time at the Abbey, he was also a Professor of Music at the Royal College of Music in addition to duties as examiner and council member of the Royal College of Organists and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. He held the degrees of M.A. from both Oxford and Cambridge in addition to B.Mus and the Lambeth degree of D.Mus. In 1975 he was created 'Commander of the Victorian Order'. In 1981 Dr.Guest retired from Westminster Abbey and accepted the title of 'Organist Emeritus'. He was considered to be VERY handsome, with "movie star" looks... ;-)

The "Voluntary for Easter" is his only published organ work, and is based upon the magnificent tune, "St. Fulbert" by H.J. Gauntlett (1805-1876), best-known for his beloved, "Once in royal David's city". It is rather splendid, with the tune appearing in the pedals with some noble figuration in the manuals. Our friend "the Tuber" is NOT indicated in the score, but I gave him not one, but two brief appearances! ;-) It is published in OUP's "A Festive Album".

His most famous work is "For the Fallen", and here is a link to a performance by the "current" Westminster Abbey choir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOpnRAOxpLE