Fantasia on the Hymn-Tune "St. Anne"

Cuthbert Harris, Mus.D. (Durham, 1899) (b. Holloway, London, England, June 7th, 1870; d. Gorleston-on-Sea, June 17th, 1932) studied at the London Organ School. He was Organist of St. Andrew’s, Streatham, London, 1893; St. Leonard’s Parish Church, Streatham, London, 1903. He was a teacher and author of “First Studies for the Organ”. b. Holloway, London, England, June 7th, 1870; d. Gorleston-on-Sea, June 17th, 1932.

Best known for his compositions for organ most of which continue in today's organ repetoire. Among his organ works are "Andante sostenuto in F", "At Eventide", "Berceuse in G", "Chanson pastorale", "Concluding Voluntary in D minor", "Concluding Voluntary in G major" and "Festival Postlude in C".

"Fantasia on the Hymn-Tune 'St. Anne'" was published by Augener Ltd. in 1913. It is included in the collection: "Outgoing Voluntaries." It's really quite a "big piece," despite the fact that it only lasts for 4 and a half minutes!

The style of the "prelude" is "baroque toccata like" and has quite a bit of "figuration" in it. I've stuck pretty much too Harris's registration scheme, which I would call the "old-fashioned" way of using the organ, and I think it works well for this piece.

The "fugue" grows right out of the prelude, and because of the way it begins, you don't realize that your listening to a fugue until the "accompaniment" drops away and the "actual fugue" materializes.

It's tricky to play and "moves around" a bit before the toccata-like passages return and the very grand final chords.

As I said, it's a BIG result for a little piece!

To hear another piece by Cuthbert Harris:

http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/26453

The score is attached below, but I found no photos of the composer. I did attach photos of the churches at which he served.