Recital

 Liz came to Caterham. I played Ketelbey, Brahms and Slater at service and we measured up places for the choir. 2 metres is far more than I realised. To Waitrose. The recital went well with a couple of fluffs. People enjoyed it and David came for a chat. It was good to see Geoff and Imogen there. We had an excellent lunch at Today's cafe and Gemma's Dad was delighted to see us. Got home and had a sleep on the bed. Watched National Trust series and Us which was funny. Tom Hollander is great.

     Welcome everybody – please feel free to move quietly around the church following the sign posted route.

1. Prelude “An Easter Alleluia” Gordon Slater (1896-1979) “Lasst uns erfreuen” is the tune of “All creatures of our God and King” based on the hymn Laudato Si’ by St Francis of Assisi in which all the world praises God.  

2. The theme from “All creatures great and small” Johnny Pearson (1925-2011) This theme was originally called “Piano parchment” and was used for the TV series and was composed in 1968. 

3. Characteristic Intermezzo “In a monastery garden” Albert Ketelbey (1875-1959) arranged by Hugh Ware. This work was a hit in 1915 and was followed by other descriptive pieces “In a Persian market” and “Sanctuary of the Heart”. His music fell out of favour and only 8 attended his funeral on the Isle of Wight. 

4. “Water scene (Narcissus)” Ethelbert Woodbridge Nevin (1962-1901). This American composer composed popular salon style piano pieces the best known being “The Rosary”. This is arranged by Reginald Goss-Custard (1877-1956) a famous recitalist.

5. Flower duet from “Lakme” Leo Delibes (1836-1891) He was famous for his ballets and operas. “Neath a dome of trees, where the white jasmine and the roses are entwining, On the stream in flow’r, breathing perfumed air, Come, let’s go down to join them. Softly off we go; Here’s not too shallow follow the river’s swift flow; Down tide on shimmering water, Glide the boat we will borrow, Come back on the shore To the river’s source where the birds all sing. Ah! Let’s go down together. “

6. Pastorale Song Op.20 no.2 Leslie Woodgate (1900-1961) This was composed in 1948. He was chorus master of the BBC and organist of several London churches.

7. Prelude on “Lasst uns erfreuen” Flor Peeters (1903-1986) Peeters was Belgian and a prolific composer and recitalist. (see No.1)

8. Variations on “Noel nouvelet” Michael Fleming (1929-2006) This is an unpublished choral arrangement. Michael arranged “Now the green blade riseth” for the Nicholson Singers and all who sang with him remember his smile and throwaway remarks like “Too many notes!” He was organist in London and Croydon taking on a new appointment at St Michael’s at the age of 70 and worked at the Royal School of Church Music.

9. “To a wild rose” Edward MacDowell (1860-1908) arranged by Anthea Smith. This is on his Woodland Sketches. In 1904 he was one of the first seven Americans honored by membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

10. Chorale Prelude “Es ist ein ros entsprungen” Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) The Op.122 Chorale preludes were to be Brahms’ last compositions. “Behold, a rose is blooming” is often sung at Christmas and refers to the Virgin Mary.

11. Le Jardin Suspendu Jehan Alain (1911-1940) The suspended garden is wonderfully mysterious. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and was killed in action. 

12. Prelude on “Greensleeves” Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) Early in his career he was organist at St Barnabas South Lambeth and became a leading figure in British musical life. 

Our journey has taken us from England to America, France and Germany. The festival falls in the Season of Creation from Sept 1 to Oct 4 the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. A time to reflect on what we can each do to preserve the variety and wonder of Nature amid a world battling with Covid 19 and climate crisis. 

Revd Peter Simpson of York suggested this hymn especially for the 3rd verse. In the Church of Ireland it is sung to the tune “Thornbury” (“Thy hand O God has guided”)

1. We thank Thee, O our Father,

For all Thy loving care;

We thank Thee that Thou madest

The world so bright and fair.

We thank Thee for the sunshine,

And for the pleasant showers;

And O, our God, we thank Thee,

We thank Thee for the flowers.

2. Out in the sunny meadows

And in the woodlands cool,

Upon the breezy hillside,

And by each reedy pool,

And in the quiet pasture,

And by the broad highways,

All pure, and fresh, and stainless,

They spring up every day.

3. And in the dusty city,

Where busy crowds pass by,

And where the tall dark houses

Stand up and hide the sky;

And where through lanes and alleys

No pleasant breezes blow,

Even there, O God, our Father,

Thou mak’st the flowers grow.

4. And whether in the city

Or in the fields they dwell

Always the same sweet message,

The fair, sweet flowers tell.

For they are all so wondrous,

They show Thy power abroad;

And they are all so beauteous,

They tell Thy love, O God. Anonymous

Postlude on Harwood’s “Thornbury” Eric Thiman (1900-1975) Thiman was organist of Caterham Congregational Church and later the City Temple. This fine piece was composed in 1966. Basil Harwood (1859-1949) was organist of Ely and Oxford cathedrals and continued composing after retiring to his home village of Woodhouse, Gloucestershire in 1909 up to the age of 87. 

Thank you for coming to enjoy the flowers and the music. Please take this sheet home or return it to one of the stewards for disposal. Thank you. 

 

The Earthday Icon by Karen Blampied with St Francis at the centre