Larghetto and Allegro

Dr. J. Varley Roberts (1841-1920) had an illustrious career, and he was a major figure in his day. He received his Mus.B. (Oxon) in 1871, and his Mus.D. (Oxon, in 1876, the same year that he became an F.R.C.O. He was a pupil of Bird and Burton. His positions included St. John’s, Farsley, 1853-62; St. Bartholomew’s, Armley, Leeds, 1862-68; Halifax Parish Church, 1868-82; Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford, 1882-1919; St. Giles’, Oxford, 1885-93. Founder and conducted of the Oxford University Glee and Madrigal Society; lecturer in harmony and counterpoint at Oxford University. Composed church music, cantatas, anthems, organ pieces, songs, part-songs.

"Larghetto and Allegro" were published by Novello in "The Organist's Quarterly Journal," a large, multi-volume collection with a massive array of pieces, in many styles and difficulties, and representing important organ figures of the day.

The "Larghetto" is a stately introduction in D minor, alternating the full Great with the diapasons and hautboy of the Swell, and the soft 8' & 4' stops of the Choir.

The "Allegro" is in F major, and maintains the idea of alternating choruses and sounds, culminating in a triumphant conclusion.

Before the end, the Solo tuba has a few brief figurations, and the full organ is hear at the conclusion.

The music is "straightforward" and certainly not "deep," but the writing is strong, idiomatic, and far above some other types of organ literature of the time.

This "demo" is another to showcase (and verify!) the fuller sounds of the Hill, and presented in the "classical English manner."

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of J. Varley Roberts are attached, as well as a photo of the Chapel at Magdalen College, Oxford, as well as the new organ there, something vastly different from the organ that Roberts played. However, I THINK the case may be the same as in Roberts' day.