Voluntary No. 4 in D Minor / D Major

William Walond (born Oxford, baptized 16 July 1719 – died Oxford, buried 21 August 1768) was an English composer and organist.

After four years as Assistant Organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Walond graduated from Christ Church, Oxford in 1757. His setting of Alexander Pope's "Ode on St Cecilia's Day" had served as his exercise.

He published two sets of voluntaries for the organ or harpsichord (op. 1, c. 1752 and op. 2, 1758) and the anthem "Not unto us, O Lord."

Of his fourteen children, his eldest son William Walond Jr. (c. 1750-1836) became the last 'Organist' of Chichester Cathedral, before the post was merged with 'Master of the Choristers' in 1801.

Many of the "voluntaries" of this period have similarities between them, but these by Walond are particularly attractive.

The fourth one in D minor ("Slow) and D major ("Allegro moderato" is a more extended work.

na" played upon the "diapasons," followed by a more extended "solo" using the Choir cornet. There is also an "echo" solo voice within this section.

I don't usually equate the Salisbury Willis with the "best" sounds for these pieces, so, I thought I would experiment to see if I could get good results as well as some variety.

The opening prelude is played upon the Great Second Diapason 8'. l found this an exquisite movement, with real pathos in the stretched lines and harmonies. The quick section is an echo voluntary, as each strain is played upon a sort of derived Cornet, using stops of the Great and Solo, but without a tierce, and then "echoed" on the Choir Flutes 8' and 2'. The "bass" is played upon the Swell Diapasons 8', both open and stopped (flute).

This has a lot of Handel in it, and it's a lot of fun to play.

I was not able to find an image of William Walond, but I did attach several photos of the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, where Walond was assistant organist.

Feel free to contact me by Direct Message for a copy of the score.

Voluntary 5 coming tomorrow.