Toccatina Militaire

Today is the Feast of Christ the King. The last Sunday of the Church Year and the last "celebration" before Advent.

I suppose it's pretty hard to make a military toccata fit into that, but I thought of Christ the King - the leader in battle.

Cuthbert Harris, Mus.D. (Durham, 1899) (b. Holloway, London, England, June 7th, 1870; d. Gorleston-on-Sea, June 17th, 1932) studied at the London Organ School. He was Organist of St. Andrew’s, Streatham, London, 1893; St. Leonard’s Parish Church, Streatham, London, 1903. He was a teacher and author of “First Studies for the Organ”. b. Holloway, London, England, June 7th, 1870; d. Gorleston-on-Sea, June 17th, 1932.

Best known for his compositions for organ most of which continue in today's organ repetoire. Among his organ works are: "At Eventide", "Berceuse in G", "Chanson pastorale", "Concluding Voluntary in D minor", "Concluding Voluntary in G major" and "Festival Postlude in C".

"Toccatina Militaire" was published in 1948 by The Arthur P. Schmidt Co., so, this is a posthumous publication. It's a brief and pleasantly-fiery little toccata fanfare. The form is A-B-A-Codetta. The middle section is softer and slower, and the conclusion is quite grandiose.

I don't hear anything really "military" in this, so the piece could be used for many occasions. It has an appeal that congregations would enjoy, and is gratifying for the performer, without the exertions of many of the truly grand toccatas.

I dedicate this to our member "Sebvial," who is paying me in a great honor in a recital today. THANK YOU Sébastien! I am deeply grateful to you.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Cuthbert Harris. Also included are modern photos of St. Andrew's, Streatham, and of St. Leonard's, Streatham, two churches were Harris served.

Also attached as a photo Christ in Majesty from van Eyck's Ghent altarpiece.

Peace and health to all.