St. Louis comes to Clifton

I recently managed to get hold of a copy of this work which is published by Novello in 'Herbert Howells - Three Pieces for Organ', edited by Robin Wells (1987). I did have a copy once when I was working in Bristol but it disappeared. The work, Howell's last known writing for solo organ, was part of a tribute to Douglas Fox, Director of Music at Clifton College. Howells wrote to Fox in January 1977 saying; 'My dear Douglas, Sixty years ago Edwin Evans blessedly gave me this tune of the 15th C., and its related text. I have lived with it ever since. In turn, much later, I showed it to Ravel (who did not know it) saying, "Here, surely, is our ancestry" - hoping he would use it in his own unique way (but that was not to be, alas!). R.V.W. and Holst loved it. We are all in it, surely. I'd like you to be. Bless you! Herbert.' The piece is marked 'Sempre flessibile e teneramente' and opens with the French tune 'Saint Louis, le future roi de France' played here on 8' stops. The central section is marked 'pui urgento' and the final section returns to a tranquility, 'come primo'. The generous acoustic and distinctive sounds of the Blackburn Cathedral organ and building seem just right for this atmospheric work.