Resurgam - Fantasy-Prelude ("I will rise again")

Harvey Grace (1874–1944) was an English organist and music writer. He was a chorister at Romsey Abbey, studied under Madeley Richardson at Southwark Cathedral, and became Organist of St. Mary Magdelene, Munster Square, London. He was editor of The Musical Times and a noted author and adjudicator. He was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral from 1931 until 1937. His years at Chichester coincided with a new awareness of liturgical solemnity; plainsong was used regularly at some of the weekday services from May 1936. Grace was appointed Commissioner of the School of English Church Music in 1937, and resigned at the end of the year. He joined the staff of Trinity College of Music in 1939, and also acted as Organist of East Grinstead Parish Church during World War II.

"Resurgam" is a very unusual Easter piece. It's large scale, difficult, harsh and triumphant all rolled into one. It is the 10th of "Ten Compositions for Organ," published by Schott and Co. in 1922. It is dedicated to the great Canadian organist, H. Lynwood Farnam.

This is a tremendous work, but it will never become one of the "Greatest Hits of Easter," and would be difficult to use liturgically because of its nature.

Grace gives no description of the piece, but I believe that it depicts the death of Jesus, His descent to hell, His battle with darkness, and His ultimate Resurrection in glory.

The work is sectional, but continuous including solemn brass, demonic passages, an amazing ground bass section, a glissando, and a triumphant fanfare chorale, culminating in a triple pedal part.

I quote the passage from the St. Matthew Passion that I THINK is what this is about in the First Comment.

The score is attached below, as well as some photos of Harvey Grace, two of Lynwood Farnam, several of the Church of Mary Magdalene, Munster Square, where I think Grace was organist when he composed this, and several of Chichester Cathedral.

I wish you all blessings of the Easter season.