Fanfare (1975)

John James (1928–2018) — Fanfare (1975) for organ

“Fanfare” (1975) was written for the dedication festival of the Collegiate Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Shrewsbury, England.

“John James” is believed to be a pseudonym for Basil Ramsey (1928–2018). Ramsey was an English musicologist, editor, and publisher. His publishing career began at Novello where he rose to be director of publications. In 1974, he left Novello to form a publishing company with his close friend, the American film composer Bernard Herrman. Herrmann’s sudden death ended their joint venture, but Ramsey formed “Basil Ramsey Publisher of Music,” a firm that released a variety of works by distinguished contemporary composers as well as new editions of older compositions. In the field of music journalism, Ramsey worked as the founding editor of “Choir & Organ” and was also editor of “The Musical Times” (from which “Choir & Organ” originated). In 1999, Ramsey co-founded with Keith Bramich “Music & Vision,” the world’s first daily online classical music magazine, a pioneering effort formed in the early days of the world wide web.

Published by Banks Music Publications (http://www.banksmusicpublications.co.uk/)