Prelude on "Picardy"

Cedric Hargraves (1921–2010) was born in Adelaide, Australia and lived in New Zealand from 1935. He studied the organ from 1939–41 with the prominent New Zealand organist Edgar Randall. Hargraves spent his
professional career as a pharmacist. Upon retirement, he composed a number of works for organ during the 1990s, both original and
hymn-based pieces.

"Prelude on 'Picardy'" comes from Volume Three of Hargraves' works, and the score states that it was composed in June of 1997.
The score is still in manuscript.

Now that the title has gotten your attention, I HAVE to say that there is NO "association" with Fleetwood Mac! However, if you are a fan, or know any of their songs, I'm pretty sure that you will be immediately struck with the fact that the "counter-melody" in this piece is the same phrase as the song "Little Lies," although it's all in the "wrong" rhythm!

(I'm not necessarily a Fleetwood Mac fan, but I DO like the song in question!)

This is a work of extreme "atmosphere". I suppose it's what you could call "pretty," but I use that term in the best sense of the word. Some might say there "isn't much to this," but I suppose it all depends on your point of view.

The setting of the famous melody, the one we associate the words: "Let all mortal flesh keep silence with" is very distinctive and unusual. I can say, I think without exaggeration, that this small piece put me immediately under its spell.

I hope you will forgive the "false advertising" in the title, but I think you will be pleased that you decided to see what the "Fleetwood Mac Connection" was all about! ;-)

Due to copyright issues, I will not attach the files, but you can contact me if you are interested.