Prelude on 'St. Columba'

These are my first uploads here, and I hope you will like them!

In 1950, OUP published a volume titled, "A Book of Hymn Tune Voluntaries." These varied works seemed like an excellent chance to show off the colors and possibilities of the new Hereford Cathedral sample set.

Having played the organ there, both in recital and at evensong, I believe they did an excellent job of getting it right. When the full spec is released next year, it will "fill in the gaps" that are present in the current 46-stop set. It sounds great as is, and should be spectacular when it's done!

The first piece in the collection is "Prelude on 'St. Columba' " by Henry G. Ley (1887-1962). Ley was organist of Christ Church, Oxford, taught at the Royal Academy of Music, and later served at Eton.

This setting is the "simplest" in terms of registration, as it makes no changes throughout - Open and Stopped Diapasons on the Swell, coupled to the Claribel Flute on the Great. The tonality of E-major is both bright and serene. 'Where streams of living water flow.'