O still small voice of calm! (1991, rev. 1992)

Alastair Stout (b. 1975) — O still small voice of calm! (1991, rev. 1992) for organ

This piece was first performed at the dedication of the then-new organ in the 11th century Lunna Kirk on the Shetland Islands (where the composer grew up). The title comes from the final line of the 1872 poem “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” by the American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892).

Composer and organist Alastair Stout (b. 1975) was born in Derby, England. He spent his early years growing up on the Shetland Islands and was a chorister at Ely Cathedral under Arthur Wills from 1985–89. He was educated at the Royal College of Music (1993–97; with Joseph Horovitz and John Birch), the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (1997–98; with Robert Saxton and Graham Elliot), and Royal Holloway, University of London (1998–2001; with Simon Holt), where he earned his PhD in composition. In 2002, Stout immigrated to the USA and has held church positions in Pennsylvania and Vermont. Stout’s first compositions were published at age 15, and his music has been performed and commissioned by ensembles and soloists throughout Europe, Australasia, North America, and Mexico. He has written works in numerous concert and church genres.