Paean

Peter Hurford OBE is a British organist, born St Cecilia's day (22 November) 1930 in Minehead, Somerset.

Educated at Blundell's School,he later studied both music and law at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with dual degrees, subsequently obtaining an enviable reputation for both musical scholarship and organ playing. Hurford subsequently studied in Paris under the blind French organist, André Marchal, exploring music of the Baroque period.

He is best known for his interpretations of Bach, having recorded the complete Bach organ works for Decca and BBC Radio 3. His expertise also encompasses recordings of the Romantic literature for organ, performances notable for attention to stylistic detail.

Hurford was appointed organist and choirmaster of St Albans Cathedral Choir in 1958, serving with great distinction in this capacity for exactly twenty years. He conceived the idea of an organ competition in 1963, partly to celebrate the new Harrison & Harrison organ designed by Ralph Downes and himself.

"Paean" bears the dedication: "For Guillaume Ormond and the Truro Cathedral Organ". I THINK this is from 1963. It is found in the Oxford University publication, "An Album of Praise".

Truro has a magnicient Willis, built around the same time as the one Salisbury. It's smaller, but a wonderful instrument, often known as "The Little Giant".

This work is a spicy fanfare with lots of syncopation. It features the tune of the Tuba (naturally!) in the left hand against sharp staccato chords on the Full Great in the right hand. The pedal is also active.

Here's another one to crank up! The end is neat, especially when the tuba joins the full organ at the end!