Fountain Melody

John Arthur Meale (1880-1932) was born in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, England, Dec. 18th, 1880, and died in Hendon, Dec. 9th, 1932.

He was Musical Director at the Central Hall, Westminster from its opening in 1912 until his death in 1932, giving some six hundred Wednesday recitals and many Saturday Popular Concerts. A noted exponent of the "orchestral" school or organ playing, an FRCO and a recitalist much in demand all over the country he came to Doncaster on several occasions after the First World War and played among other things his own "tone pictures" The Mighty Andes, Fountain Melody, In Peril on the Sea, the Introduction, Variations and Fugue on The Vicar of Bray, the pedal study "The Magic Harp, At Sunrise, Impressions sur la Belgique, A Night at Sea and March Patrol. Other organ solos by him included Sunny, The Storm, composed as a feature for a church bazaar at Selby, Twilight, Canto Religioso and A Summer Idyll (1917); his output included also anthems and many songs. He prepared the specification for the organ in Hull City Hall and for many others.

"Fountain Melody" was published by Paxton in 1910. The dedication reads: "To my friend, E. Stanley Roper." Stanley Roper was organist of the Chapel Royal, and was known for his work as an editor for OUP, and as the composer of several fine arrangements.

"Fountain Melody" is a true gem, and masterpiece of it's kind. It broke my heart to play it, and maybe will break yours to hear it.

I dedicate this with love to Miss Feather. I have a remembrance of her, near a fountain, not unlike that depicted here. That day, some 36 years ago, is as fresh as if it were only yesterday. I didn't want that day to end, much as I didn't want this piece to come to a conclusion when I finished.

The score is attached below. Also below is a photo of Arthur Meale, one of the Methodist Central Hall in London, and a GREAT one of E. Stanley Roper.

Music and pictures - a view of a world far away, & barely remembered.