Voluntary on "Eventide" (Abide with me)

I incorrectly believe that this piece was by Percy Fletcher, but it is actually by Arnold Rudolph Mote (1880-1950).

Please see the comment by RSCMJOHN!

I was confused, as it "appeared to be" by Mote, but I assumed it was by Fletcher, since all the other ones (I think!) are.

However, as the great English comedian, Benny Hill, once said: "Never assume anything! When you do, you make an ASS out U & ME!"

Now, THAT'S wisdom!

"Voluntary on 'Eventide'" is found in Book "Hymn-Tune Voluntaries Part I', which was published by J. W. Curwen, Ltd. It is a sensitive, colorful, and quite impassioned work. It is dedicated: "To my brother, Livingstone C. Mote, Sydney."

It is based on the famous hymn-tune "Eventide," composed by William H. Monk (1823-1889) and linked with the always deeply moving text by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847).

Mote sets the piece in a way that never actually states the melody in its entirety. Rather, phrases from the tune appear more in strong and effective implied statements without actually "going through" the melody.

The first verse is serene, while the second one becomes much more impassioned and dramatic, before falling away at the end.

In listening to the recording, I sort of feel like I'm "pushing" the tempo of the second verse, but I guess that's the way I felt it when I did it.

This piece, like ALL of these voluntaries will require "filling out," as many of them are conceived for the harmonium. :-)

The score is attached below.

The entire text is given in the First Comment, and remember to read the comment by RSCMJOHN for the correct biographical information!