Prelude on "Lincoln Tune" (Sixteen Preludes)

Charles Wood (1866-1926) was born in Armagh, Ireland. He was a treble chorister in the choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral (Church of Ireland). He received his early education at the Cathedral Choir School and also studied organ with two Organists and Masters of the Boys of Armagh Cathedral, Robert Turle and Dr Thomas Marks. In 1883 he entered the Royal College of Music, studying composition with C. V. Stanford & C. H. H. Parry. In 1889 he attained a teaching position at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, first as organ scholar and then as fellow in 1894, becoming the first Director of Music and Organist. After Stanford died, Wood assumed his mentor's vacant role as University of Cambridge Professor of Music in 1924. Wood is chiefly remembered for his Anglican church music. His anthems with organ, "Expectans expectavi", and "O Thou, the Central Orb" are both frequently performed, as are his unaccompanied anthems "T'is the day of Resurrection", "Glory and Honour" and, most popular of all, "Hail, gladdening light". All Wood's a cappella music demonstrates fastidious craftsmanship and a supreme mastery of the genre. His pupils included Ralph Vaughan Williams at Cambridge and Herbert Howells at the Royal College of Music.

Some time ago, I decided to do all 16 of these preludes, which are "founded upon melodies from the English and Scottish Psalter." I did this one and stopped, but maybe I'll do more.

It comes from the 2nd book, and is the second prelude in the collection. It is based upon the tune "Lincoln", composed by Thomas Ravenscroft (c. 1585-1635), and frequently associated with the text, "Lord, in Thy name Thy servants plead."

It only lasts a minute and a half, but it's NOT an easy piece, as it's all 2 against 3, with lots of staccato thirds jumping around. If you listen to this too many times, you'll go insane, so, TAKE CARE! ;-)

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Wood, and a photo of the chapel of Gonville and Caius (pronounced "Keys").