Minuet and Trio in G, Op. 17, No. 2

George Vincent (1855-1928) was the brother of Charles Vincent (1852-1934), the composer who has already been featured in a number of my uploads.

The entire family were organists, as the father was also an organist. A third son, H. S. Vincent (1861-1935) was an organ builder based in Sunderland.

George Frederick Vincent studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, 1874-76, under Dr Karl Reinecke, Dr Robert Papperitz and Ernst Friedrich E. Richter. Organist of Sunderland Parish Church, 1872-74; St. Mary’s Parish Church, Whitburn, 1877-82; St. Thomas’, Sunderland, 1882-1900; St. Michael’s, Cornhill, London's, the same position held by Harold Darke for many years, who succeeded Vincent.

"Minuet and Trio in G" is the second work in "Pieces in Various Styles," published by W. J. Willcocks & Co. It is dedicated: "To Miss Fanny Moody."

Despite the fact that the harmonic language is conservative, the music is idiomatic, and makes the organ sound good, the Peterborough Hill being an ideal vehicle for the music.

This is, as the title indicates, a delicately crisp dance, featuring an effective interplay of solo voices - the Swell oboe and the Solo clarinet and viole.

Since the layout of the Hill is different from that Vincent played, you'll need to be quick with your pistons!

The hardest "technical" part happens at the top of the last page where the score calls for the "Sw. Flute." Because the PB pistons are slow, you need to judge the piston push early. If you get it too soon, you'll "clip" the previous sound, ruining the entrance of the flute. If you're too late, you'll cause a delay in the beat! Details, details...

More Vincent music coming soon! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of St. Michael's, Cornhill, as well as the specification of the organ there, which I believe is the same one Vincent played.