Five short pieces - Folk Tune

Born in 1903, Whitlock was a remarkable organist and composer, known for his unique blend of traditional and modern influences in his compositions. His life was marked by his dedication to church music, serving as the organist in several churches throughout his career.

“Folk Tune,” a piece that stands as a testament to Whitlock’s love for melody and lush harmonies, is a perfect example of his compositional style. It’s part of his larger work, “Five Short Pieces,” written in 1929, and showcases his skill in creating music that is both deeply emotive and rooted in traditional English musical culture. The piece is notable for its lyrical quality and its ability to evoke a sense of pastoral beauty, transporting the listener to the serene landscapes of England.

With an impressive complement of romantic stops, the recently released Dudelange surround sound sampleset is well-suited for performance of this piece. I start off using the two Seraphon flutes to play the melody accompanied by the Swell strings. For the middle section, I use the Clarinette to play the melody in the tenor. At various points in the piece, I employ other colors such as the softer principals, flutes and strings. In my humble estimation, the Dudelange surround sample set is the most versatile Hauptwerk sample I have played. I hope you enjoy this performance.