A Spanish Toccata

Today, September 5, 2016 marks the 19th anniversary of the death of Ronald Perrin.

Born in London, Ronald Edward Perrin's (13 April 1931 – 5 September 1997) won an organ scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford, from where he graduated with an honours degree in music. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music, and a Licentiate of Trinity College, London.

Following National Service, he secured his first appointment as Assistant (than Acting) Organist at Leeds Parish Church, before moving to York Minster, becoming assistant to Dr Francis Jackson. In April 1966, he was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at Ripon Cathedral, a position he held for 28 years, until his retirement in 1995.

He was a prolific composer and is also credited with a significant widening of the repertoire at Ripon. His compositions include "Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A" (Trebles), "Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A flat", and a "Te Deum in C." He also wrote three major settings of the Anglican Communion Service: "St Wilfrid's Mass," "Missa Riponensis," and the "Missa Sancti Petri." His anthem "Angel voices ever singing" (for 4-pt. boy's voices) is the best known of his many works in this genre.

To the best of my knowledge, "A Spanish Toccata" was his only published organ solo work.

Ron, as he preferred to be called (or Ronnie, but NOT Ronald!) had a true and passionate desire to popularize the organ recital which he called "an event for the prejudiced specialists," and he was one of the most popular of all British organ recitalists, often playing to huge audiences.

He retired in 1994, and died from cancer on September 5, 1997 at the age of 66. He is buried in the cathedral at Ripon.

I especially want to thank our member, Brian Stone ("klink") who worked very hard to help me locate this music. Without him and his commitment to finding this for me, I would
never have located it.

THANK YOU, Brian!