Pastorale on "Wiltshire"

Percy Eastman Fletcher, was born in Derby on 12 December 1879 and died on 10 December 1932 at the early age of 52. He took lessons on violin, piano and organ, the former being his most important instrument. Like a number of his composer contemporaries, he made his living as a Musical Director in the London theater world, fulfilling this position successively at the Prince of Wales, Savoy, Daly's, Drury Lane and from, 1915 until his death, His Majesty's Theatre.

His creative activity was however by no means confined to the theater. There were ballads and songs, ad a considerable amount for chorus,as well as sacred works, "The Passion of Christ" (1922), one of the best of those sacred cantatas for small church choirs.

Fletcher wrote a large number of suites for light orchestras, and many fine, now forgotten, orchestral works.

Most of Fletcher's piano music was arranged from orchestral scores, but there are several fine works, originally for piano solo.

He also composed quite widely for organ. An Interlude of 1901 is probably his earliest dated publication, while later works include the two most famous of his organ works, both dating from 1915, "Festival Toccata" and the always exquisite, "Fountain Reverie."

"Pastorale on 'Wiltshire Burg''" is found in "Hymn-Tune Voluntaries Part IV", published by J. Curwen & Sons Ltd. in 1911.

This calm and flowing piece in the key of B-flat major and in 6/8 time, is on the now rarely sung tune, "Wiltshire" composed by George Smart (1776-1867). Although it is linked with several sets of words, I've always admired "Through all the changing scenes of life," the text being Nahum Tate's (1652-1715) paraphrase of Psalm 34, and found in "Tate and Brady's New Version" (of the psalms). I've included the entire text in the First Comment.

I dedicate this upload to Dr. John Henderson, who is a resident of the lovely county of Wiltshire in southwest England. :-)

The score, courtesy of Doc H., and a photo of Fletcher are attached.