Meditation on the Irish tune "Slane" (Three Pieces for Organ, No. 1)

Eric Harding Thiman (12 September 1900 – 13 February 1975) was an English composer, conductor and organist.

Born in Ashford, Kent, he was largely self-taught. He was awarded an FRCO in 1921, and a DMus in 1928. From 1930 he was Professor of Harmony at the Royal Academy of Music and later, from 1956 to 1962, was Dean of the Faculty of Music at the University of London. From 1958, having moved from Park Chapel he was organist of the City Temple in London, a Congregational Church. He was a keen advocate of amateur music-making and in the 1960s was the conductor and Musical Director of the Purley Choral Society. The choir changed its name to The Chandos Choir in 1969. He wrote much educational music for piano and other instruments, as well as music for church choirs, some of which is still performed.

Thiman's list of published works numbers about 1,300. These include a large number of partsongs and many anthems and carols. Most of his church music was written for the non-conformist churches, but he also wrote anthems and canticles for Church of England Choirs.

"Three Pieces for Organ" was published by Novello in 1955, as "No. 2" in their "Organ Club Series."

Conceived on a fairly large scale, this is much more than the usual "meditation type" of piece. It is based upon the famous Irish tune, "Slane," the composer of which is unknown. It is an old Irish folk tune associated with the ballad "With My Love on the Road" in Patrick W. Joyce's Old Irish Folk Music and Songs (1909).

In this example, Thiman shows his subtle skills a composer, with an excellent sense of judgment and shaping of the phrases, and a very colorful and creative harmonic scheme.

The work makes considerable demands upon the registrational skills of the performer.

'Tis a fine and grand piece. :-)

Two photos of Eric Thiman are attached below, including one at the organ of the City Temple is attached below.

Please send me a Direct Message if you are interested in the score.

TOMORROW - "Pavane"