Lament, Op. 10

This is an exceptionally complex lament. Sadly, it's never played.

Harvey Grace (1874–1944) was an English organist and music writer. He was a chorister at Romsey Abbey, studied under Madeley Richardson at Southwark Cathedral, and became Organist of St. Mary Magdelene, Munster Square, London. He was editor of The Musical Times and a noted author and adjudicator. He was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral from 1931 until 1937. His years at Chichester coincided with a new awareness of liturgical solemnity; plainsong was used regularly at some of the weekday services from May 1936. Grace was appointed Commissioner of the School of English Church Music in 1937, and resigned at the end of the year. He joined the staff of Trinity College of Music in 1939, and also acted as Organist of East Grinstead Parish Church during World War II.

"Lament" was published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. in 1908. It is dedicated: "To my friend Arthur Watson".

The work begins in solemn form, with a steady "thump" of tympani in the Pedals. The tempo is marked as "Moderato," so, the movement does not drag, and must be kept in steady time.

The first section, which is clearly a funeral march, begins in C-sharp minor before passing into a more lyrical section in D-flat major. The minor tonality returns and a steady crescendo leads onward to a great arrival of the main theme played upon the full organ. The "buildup" in these passages is almost too much in complexity, and was very demanding in terms of notes AND piston changes.
This massive section leads to a tremendous climax, followed by a crashing chord and wild cadenza. NOT common for a lament!

An expressive recitative, played upon the Swell reeds at 16' and 8', followed by another cadenza, and then the great meltdown to the most purely heart-wrenching return of the 2nd theme, once again in D-flat. The end is sublime and does need description.

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Harvey Grace.