Fanfare (St. Michael and All Angels)

Guy Henry Eldridge, Mus. B (1904-1976) studied at the Royal College of Music, and was organist of a church dedicated to St. Michael and All Angels, although I apologize that I don't know just which one it was... ;-)

He composed a few anthems that are still in print and was Conductor of the Hollington Choral and Orchestral Society.

"Fanfare" was published by Novello in 1961, and is typical of much British organ music of the period - meaning that it is mildy "dissonant" and has an sense of confidence about it. It sort of reminds one of the "Herbert Sumsion style" that was (and is!) so popular.

It is a trumpet tune framed by fanfares and a darker middle section played on the full Swell.

I don't mean to hog space on the board, but people seem to like "comparison performances," so I did it here at Hereford, and also at Salisbury.

I posted this today since September 29th is the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, another one of those once-important holy days that have lost their "ranking" in today's church. :-(

While the dedication reads "For St, Michael and All Angels," I suspect that he meant for the church at which he served at, rather than ole' St. Mike and his angelic band... ;-)

The piece calls for "dynamic shading" on the solo reed, so since the big tubas on both organs are unenclosed, I used the Solo Tromba as the "small reed" in this performance.

While the performances are similar, they do sound quite different. This one at Hereford has a brighter chorus, but both the solo reeds are "darker." The Tromba has a distinctive sound, and the Hereford Tuba has more "splat" to it.

Anyway, see which one you prefer!