Autumn Meditation

John Henderson, probably Swindon's only full-time musicologist, acts as Honorary Librarian and Archivist to the Royal School of Church Music, a post he has held since 1995, and he serves as organist and choirmaster of Wroughton Parish Church.

He was trained at Magdalen College School, Oxford and is a medical graduate of St. John's College in Cambridge. He was formerly the senior partner of the NHS General Practice in Fairford, Gloucestershire. He retired from medicine in 1992 and lives in Old Town, Swindon. He describes himself as a 'train-spotter cum hoarder' of organ music and his personal library of 60,000 pieces of organ music supplies source material to many performers and recording companies world-wide.

Many of the fine and rare works that have I have uploaded recently were given to me by JH. THANK YOU, John! He is one of our members here "FRSCMJohn".

John was awarded the ARSCM (Associate of the Royal School of Church Music) in 1996 and named as an FRSCM (Fellow of the RSCM) in 2016.

He is the author/co-author of several books, his most famous being "The Dictionary of Organ Composers".

"Autumn Mediation" was composed at Swindon 11th August 2023". It is dedicated: "For David."

For its motto, the work quotes "Dear Shepherd of thy chosen few, they former mercies here renew; Here to our waiting hearts proclaim the sweetness of thy saving Name."

The work has the feeling of a gentle ostinato, almost a tender dance of quiet joy about it, which sweeps the listener along in an ecstatic but humble journey.

The work also utilizes the famous hymn-tune "Wareham" composed by William Knapp (1698-1768). The melody first appears alone after the first section, combined with various decorations. It is then skillfully combined with the ostinato material to make a joyful but still restrained conclusion.

John, I'm deeply touched and very grateful for giving me this composition. Your friendship and support is valued in many ways.

The score & photos are attached below