Pastorale Fantastique, Op. 5

Purcell James Mansfield (1889-1968), the transcriber of these works, was the son of the organist, Dr. Orlando Mansfield. He was an accomplished organist and pianist by an early age, and had a long and distinguished career as organist, composer, adjudicator and conductor. He held a number of important posts, including the position at Park Parish Church in Glasgow, which was considered to be one of the most desirable posts in Great Britain at the time.

"Pastorale Fantastique" was published by The Vincent Music Co., Ltd. in 1908. It is dedicated: "To Fräulein Erna Utz, Wiesbaden, Germany." It is reminiscent of something that Karg-Elert would have written, but with more "English overtones," and without the extreme chromaticism.

It begins calmly enough, but, as any organist knows, virtually ALL pastorales have a storm brewing, just waiting to burst forth!

At first we hear a happy tune played upon the Solo Orchestral Oboe, and the storm is far away. Next we hear what seems to be some "Alpine mountain horn calls" and a grandiose hymn to the sun. Then the sun disappears in a darkening "storm section," but the danger soon passes, and the happy tune reappears, varied, and more elaborately harmonized.

The storm section is the main version that I chose the Hereford Willis, as this is one of the VERY FEW times that I do use the Crescendo Pedal! Actually, it's a combination of the pedal, and then some pistons to complete the diminuendo. It can be done with pistons only, but you really need toe studs, and I have NO foot pistons at all.

The downside of this organ is that really does not possess some of the requisite colors that Mansfield calls for, so, I had to be somewhat more "restrained" in what I used, and hope that the effect will please the listener!

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Purcell James Mansfield, and one of Park Parish Church in Glasgow, where he served as organist.

MORE Mansfield to follow, as fast as I can learn them. :-)