A Summer Idyll

Since fall arrives on Sunday, this upload will conclude my annual "Summertime Dream" series. I THANK all those who took the time to listen to any or all (26, I think) of the various uploads!

John Arthur Meale (1880-1932) was born in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, England, Dec. 18th, 1880, and died in Hendon, Dec. 9th, 1932.

He was Musical Director at the Central Hall, Westminster from its opening in 1912 until his death in 1932, giving some six hundred Wednesday recitals and many Saturday Popular Concerts. A noted exponent of the "orchestral" school or organ playing, an FRCO and a recitalist much in demand all over the country he came to Doncaster on several occasions after the First World War and played among other things his own "tone pictures" The Mighty Andes, Fountain Melody, In Peril on the Sea, the Introduction, Variations and Fugue on The Vicar of Bray, the pedal study "The Magic Harp, At Sunrise, Impressions sur la Belgique, A Night at Sea and March Patrol. Other organ solos by him included Sunny, The Storm, composed as a feature for a church bazaar at Selby, Twilight, Canto Religioso and A Summer Idyll (1917); his output included also anthems and many songs. He prepared the specification for the organ in Hull City Hall and for many others.

At the top of the score of "A Summer Idyll" are the words: "This is the Melody usually incorporated in his 'Famous Storm Piece.'"

I think this means that this famous storm "piece" may have taken the form of a semi-improvisation, and that this melodic idea and material, the happy and carefree times of life, often appeared, at least in some format within the the over all "storm scene" being depicted..

It's by no means an easy movement, and blends Meale's style, mixing between the classical and theatrical.

I can't think of a nicer musical ending for the summer season.

I wish you peace and happy, carefree days in your lives.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of John Arthur Meale.