Wolstenholme dedicates this work to "C. G. Marchant Esq., St. Patrick's Cathedral" - Charles George Marchant was the organist at St. Patrick's in Dublin, Ireland from 1879. Parts of the organ date from 1685 but the most important rebuild occurred during Marchant's tenure, by the Henry Willis and Son company (1890s). "Father" Willis oversaw the specification and design. While I have little specific information on this work, it would make sense that Wolstenholme wrote this both as a gift and to showcase the then new Willis instrument. Therefore I chose to perform it on the virtual Willis from Hereford Cathedral, which is of similar vintage to the Dublin instrument, being completed in 1879.
William Wolstenholme was born in Lancashire in 1865, and was blind from birth. His musical ability was recognized early -- he studied violin with Elgar and ultimately graduated from Oxford University. After holding several posts in the UK, he toured the USA in the early 1900s and garnered an international reputation as a recitalist, composer, and improviser.
This work was published in 1900 by Paxon, and is part of this "Album of Organ Pieces" which contains several other gems!
Score:
http://bit.ly/3rTDj1Y
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
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