Chimes

Bernard William George Rose, OBE, (9 May 1916 – 21 November 1996) was variously a student at the Royal College of Music, 1933–1935, organist, soldier, and composer. A graduate of St Catharine's College, Cambridge, 1935–1939, studying under Hubert Middleton and Edward Joseph Dent, he started his academic career at Queen's College, Oxford, 1939–1940 and 1945–1957, before being appointed Informator Choristarum (organist and master of the choristers) at Magdalen College, 1957–1981: Vice President of Magdalen College, Oxford, 1973–1975. Emeritus Fellow 1981–1996. He was in his later years president of the Royal College of Organists 1974–1976. His Preces and Responses, for use in the Anglican service of evensong, are very widely performed. In 1952 he conducted the premiere of An Oxford Elegy by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

A chorister at Salisbury Cathedral from 1925 to 1931, Bernard Rose studied the organ under Sir Walter Galpin Alcock, and was appointed as an assistant organist at the cathedral aged just 15.

After serving with distinction in the military in WWII, he resumed his academic teaching and was to become a sought-after tutor with particular emphasis on harmony and counterpoint, and a noted choir trainer.

The work "Chimes" is part of "The Hovingham Sketches," which were published by Banks Music Publications in 1982, the set comprises a group of works by well-known British organists, and many of the works have a rather "pastorale" feel about them.

This work is based upon the tower chimes of Magdalen College, where Rose was director of music. It is a highly unique and atmospheric work that is really enhanced by the vast acoustics of Esztergom.

At the head of the piece, Rose quotes: "Ma fin est mon commencement, et mon commencement est ma fin."

"My end is my beginning, and my beginning is my end."

There are NO actual chimes used in the piece! Sorry... ;-)