Nocturne

Roland Diggle (January 1, 1885 – January 13, 1954) was an English-born, American organist and composer who wrote and arranged an enormous number of published pieces, and who served for forty years as organist and choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, California.

Roland Diggle was born in London England, and he was educated at the Royal College of Music in London.

He moved to the USA in 1904 where he became a tireless advocate of organ music. During his lifetime he wrote or arranged over 500 organ compositions. He was well known in national and international music circles and his works have been published both in the U.S. and abroad. He served for forty years as organist and choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church of Los Angeles, California, and he presented recitals at both the San Diego and San Francisco World's Fair Expositions.

He died in Los Angeles, California, and is buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery.

"Nocturnre" was published by the H. W. Gray Company in 1949 as part of their two volume "Modern Anthology."

The work is dedicated: "For Alexander Schreiner in friendship."

Alexander Ferdinand Schreiner (July 31, 1901 – September 15, 1987) was a major figure in American organ music, and is most famous for having been organist of the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.

"Nocture" is based upon lines by the American poet, Walt Whitman (1819-1892): "Lilac and star and bird turned with the chant of my soul, There in fragrant pines and the cedars dusk and dim."

The work is conceived for an "American orchestral organ," and is really required for a proper rendition of it. The PB Hill does a good job, but lacks the chimes that the piece calls for in two places. I've "imitated the intention," but the result is quite different.

This work really demands a large E. M. Skinner to do full justice to it.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Diggle, Schreiner, Whitman, and St. John's Church (now cathedral), Los Angeles.