Londonderry Air (Traditional Irish Air)

Dr. Norman Coke-Jephcott was born in Coventry on 17 March 1893. He was educated at Bablake School and was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in 1911. He was admitted Fellow of the American Guild of Organists in 1912. In 1945 he was admitted to the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Organists (honoris causa) and in the same year received the honorary degree of the D. Mus from Ripon College in the same year, and was made a Fellow of Trinity College, London in 1947.

Regarded by his colleagues as one of the world's greatest masters in organ improvisation, he had also to his credit over twenty published works, the most well-known being the "Bishops' Promendade" (1954) and the anthem, "Surely the Lord is in this place".

He became Organist and Master of the Choristers of Grace Church, Utica, New York in 1923, and then served for 21 years as Organist and Master of the Choristers of the Cathedral of St, John the Divine in New York City (1932-1953).

The arrangement of "Londonderry Air" was published in 1955 as No. 800 in the "St. Cecilia Series" published by H.W. Gray.

I think I've played just about all of the "Londonderry Air" arrangements there are, and I wasn't going to bother to do one this year, but earlier this morning, I thought, "Well, let me see if I can find something to play..."

In my opinion, THIS arrangement is the King of them all! It's absolutely perfect, and if you get it right, you can really pull your heart with this one.

There aren't too many registration changes in here, but the rich and ingenious accompaniment will provide variety for the mind and for the spirit.

It's not a loud piece, but the dynamics and emotion must be constantly there if you're going to make this work.

So, here is my last-minute, annual St. Patrick's Day upload! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Norman Coke-Jephcott, as well as a memorial plaque dedicated to him in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC.