Fanfare

Dr Arthur Wills OBE (born 1926) is a musician, composer, and professor. He was Director of Music at Ely Cathedral from 1958 to 1990, and also held a Professorship at the Royal Academy of Music in London from 1964 until 1992. He has toured extensively as a recitalist in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong, and has broadcast, appeared on TV and made many recordings, both as a soloist and with the Ely Choir.

He has composed prolifically for the organ and choir. His ensemble works include a Concerto with Strings and Timpani, a Concerto for Guitar and Organ, and a Symphonic Suite: "The Fenlands" for Brass Band and Organ.

His book, "Organ," appeared in the Menuhin Music Guide Series in 1984, with a second edition in 1993 and a third reprint in 1997.

Arthur Wills was appointed OBE in 1990.

"Fanfare" was published in 1961 by Novello, and is part of a collection called: "Fanfares and Processionals for Organ."

It is a short and lively fanfare, with a fair amount of "dissonance" in it. It makes use of the Solo Tuba (naturally!) which is set against the full chorus of the Great coupled to the full swell. The Great and Pedal reeds are added for the final chords.It bears the dedication: "For Colin and Rachel," so this was presumably written for a wedding.

To be honest, I had intended to get a lot of work done yesterday, but when I got up, my hearing was not so good again, so I "hammered" this out.

That's not to detract from the piece, which is short, but very exciting and festive.