Festal Offertorium

Percy Eastman Fletcher, was born in Derby on 12 December 1879 and died on 10 December 1932 at the early age of 52. He took lessons on violin, piano and organ, the former being his most important instrument. Like a number of his composer contemporaries, he made his living as a Musical Director in the London theater world, fulfilling this position successively at the Prince of Wales, Savoy, Daly's, Drury Lane and from, 1915 until his death, His Majesty's Theatre.

His creative activity was however by no means confined to the theater. There were ballads and songs, ad a considerable amount for chorus,as well as sacred works, "The Passion of Christ" (1922), one of the best of those sacred cantatas for small church choirs.

Fletcher wrote a large number of suites for light orchestras, and many fine, now forgotten, orchestral works.

Most of Fletcher's piano music was arranged from orchestral scores, but there are several fine works, originally for piano solo.

He also composed quite widely for organ. An Interlude of 1901 is probably his earliest dated publication, while later works include the two most famous of his organ works, both dating from 1915, "Festival Toccata" and the always exquisite, "Fountain Reverie."

"Festal Offertorium" was published by Novello in 1926 as No. 109 in the "Original Compositions (New Series)."

The mood is grandiose and joyful, with some spectacular moments and a tremendous climax at the end. This is a fitting piece to hear on this festive day of the Feast of Christ the King.

You'll also notice that Fletcher's "theater experience" is highly present, and this makes for some wonderful moments!

I can not help but feel that there is a strong "resemblance of ideas" between this work and Fletcher's famous, "Festival Toccata," composed in 1915. If you'd like to compare the two, here is the link for the toccata: http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/10919

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Percy Eastman Fletcher.