Pageantry

Sidney S. Campbell, MVO (born 1909 in London and died on 4 June 1974 in Windsor) was initially self-taught, and worked as a civil servant. He became a student of Ernest Bullock and Harold Darke, and held appointments at West Ham Parish Church, St. Peter's Croydon, St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, Ely Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, and finally of St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

His compositions ranged through church and organ music, and his enthusiasm for French organ works is clearly reflected in the colorful style of his own compositions.

"Pageantry" was published by Novello in 1962, so, the work was written shortly after Campbell began his duties at Windsor.

The title implies to me that Campbell is "painting a picture" of the some of the "royal and national events" that would occur at St. George's on a regular basis, although it's a little hard to figure out exactly what he is "portraying" in the music.

The opening "fanfare" will remind some of Vaughan William's famous anthem, "O clap your hands," but the piece soon travels in other directions. While the music is unmistakably "English cathedral," it immediately shows Campbell's individualistic style and harmonic traits.

While you are listening to the first "section," try to imagine what kind o music will come next. I guarantee that you will NOT imagine the music that actually does! It's a neat section, but I have no idea what it is "showing us" in terms of pageantry!

Syncopations and changing meters abound, and the piece builds up with a lot of "splashy" harmonies, as it swings along to its exciting and unusual final measures.

A photo of Sidney Campbell at the console of Canterbury Cathedral organ, as well as several photos of St. George's Chapel are attached.

I dedicate this performance to my good friend and our member, rmdostie.

THANK YOU, Rick! :-)