Pavan, Op. 109, No. 4

Oliver King (1855-1923) was a student of Joseph Barnby and Carl Reinecke. He was a concert pianist and music director of Marylebone Parish Church, and later a professor of piano at the Royal Academy of Music. His compositions include a piano concerto, songs, much church music, and a fair number of organ works, including a substantial sonata.

"Pavan" was published by The Vincent Music Co. Ltd. in 1908, where it appears as "No. 150" in Volume 49 of "The Organ Loft" series.

I was curious to find out what a composer who was writing in the early years of the 20th century would write in a "pavan," and, boy, did I find out!

This is one crazy piece, to play, but it probably sounds all nice and easy unless you are following the score as well.

It begins with a sort of "miniature march," sound like some sort of procession of toy soldiers. The colors are interesting, and the Peterborough Hill does an excellent job with "replicating them."

The piece begins in G major, leading into the section section which is in B minor, featuring a steady crescendo up to the core of the work, all of which takes place over a pedal-point of some 20 measures. King calls of "full organ," but what I've used is a little bit less.

Now, this is were you need to keep your wits about you, as you're playing a canon that takes place between the left hand, played upon the Solo tuba, and the right foot which plays upon an almost full pedal. The right fool must play the tune, as well as negotiating two octave leaps, and all of this well the canon keeps going under wide-spread chords in the right hand.

This was one of the "oddest feeling" pieces I can recall doing! As I said, it may sound easy, but if you think it is, well, the score is attached for you to have a go at... ;-)

After the big climax, I took the registration back to the opening sound again, before building up in a rapid crescendo at the end.

The score and 2 photos of Marylebone Parish Church, where King was organist, are below.