Impromptu in G-flat (A Study on a Cipher)

Arthur Murray Goodhart (christened 25 July 1866 – 1941) was a British composer and organist. He was born in Wimbledon, Surrey, England in 1866, and was educated at Eton College and then King's College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Pitt Club. He was a pupil of Sir Joseph Barnby, Dr. George M. Garrett, Dr Charles W. Pearce, C. Forsyth, and Frank Bridge. He Taught classics at Eton School, and was a housemaster there.

As a composer, he wrote orchestral, organ, and piano pieces, songs, carols, military band music.

As a performer he was said to have "flair and a light hand."

Well, here is yet another "puzzle piece" by our friend AMG! Also, another "Impromptu," although this one is completely different in sound and structure.

"Impromptu in G-flat" was published by George Withers & Sons. It is the tenth work in "Ten Original Compositions."

Marked "Andante grazioso," the piece, like several other works by Goodhart, is based upon a "cipher" - a sustained note that speaks unchanging throughout the piece.

The musical mood is something of a happy pastorale, and the harmonies flow along as a stream through a green meadow. It all sounds so simple, but making this work, and actually making music out of it is another matter!

The tonal centers obviously must remain around the cipher note - D-flat / C-sharp, but the variety is admirable, considering the technical restrictions that are imposed by the premise of the entire work.

If you are intrigued by the idea of pieces centering around a cipher note, here are two more by AMG:

"Third Study upon a Cipher"

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/35555

AND

"Canon in F-sharp Minor & Major (A Study on a Cipher No. 2) (THIS ONE, will really blow your mind!)

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/35586

The score is attached below, as well a photo of Arthur M. Goodhart, and several of the chapels of King's College and of Eton.