Fantasia on "The King of Love" (Dominus regit me), Op. 27, No. 6

For 45 years organist of Blackpool Parish Church, Frederic Herbert Wood (1880–1963) was a composer whose contribution to the native school of romantic organ music deserves wider recognition, in particular for his colorful suites inspired by the English countryside, of Northumberland, of Kent, and of the downland. The scenes evoked bare the strong imprint of the past – from venerable bridges and cathedrals to Roman ruins, prehistoric earthworks and Stonehenge – amidst river and valley and orchard captured in different moods and times of the day. There is plenty of craft in this music too: stirring, romantic harmonies and varied textures generously registered, with a purposeful sense of form giving strength and direction to the attractive pictorial element. The range of Wood’s other interests, which included spiritualism and the speech of ancient Egypt, suggests a fascinating individual, who was also a Doctor of Music from Durham University and a noted lecturer and adjudicator.

"Fantasia on 'The King of Love'" (Dominus regit me) is based upon the famous hymn-tune composed by the Rev. John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) for the Rev. Henry Williams Baker's text, "The King of Love." This melody is not used as much as it once was, as it has been largely eclipsed by the very popular, "St. Columba," but is still a beautiful melody and a classic.

The work dates from 1927 and was published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. It is dedicated: "To M.B., who inspired this improvisation on his favourite hymn; with sincere esteem."

The work is very much in the style of an improvisation. It is grand and noble in the result, and the "kingly sense" is brought out very nicely, particularly with the culmination of the fanfare cadenza.

The Wood style is present to be sure, but it is nice to hear him in a more "liturgical setting," as opposed to the four descriptive scene suites, which I've uploaded here on the Concert Hall.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Wood, Dykes and Baker.