Nicholas Choveaux - request

[Martin Cooke]

Does anyone have the score of Prelude-Improvisation (dedicated to Karg-Elert) by Nicholas Choveaux that they might be able to let me have a copy of? It is contained within an old Schott album called Contemporary English Organ Album which was edited by Alec Rowley. I'd be most grateful for any pointers - I have tried all the usual 2nd hand/digital sources - I think!! There is a copy available on ebay in the States but that seems a bit much (in all senses). Let me know if you can help at all.

Many thanks.

Martin.

[S_L]

There is a recording by Gerben Mourik - he has a website with a contact address.

 

http://www.gerbenmourik.nl/en

 

Hope this helps.

[David Drinkell]

Tangent - I've never come across this one. Many years ago (when I was young and charming), Choveaux's March used to be quite popular. (I remember hearing it played in Rowhedge Church, near Colchester, where the pedal action nearly drowned out the notes). It took me years to acquire a copy, and then it was as part of Three Pieces. Still later, I discovered that the other two were quite good also, and the Toccata on Lasst uns erfreuen particularly so. I played all three at a lunch-time concert last week.

[AJJ]

....................I discovered that the other two were quite good also, and the Toccata on Lasst uns erfreuen particularly so.

 

There's a good recording by Peter Crompton from the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook on Priory PRCD-6002. The large HN&B organ there is rather fine if you like that sort of sound - I do!

 

A

[David Drinkell]

Indeed, 'rather fine' is, if anything, an understatement. A virtually perfect position, and it's said that HN&B were put under no financial constraints but instructed to build the finest organ that would fit comfortably into the space. It's up there with Redcliffe; Westminster Cathedral; Holy Rude, Stirling; Downside and Bristol Cathedral as an exemplar of its builders work, but it's not that well known.

[Martin Cooke]

Just in case it's of any interest, I tracked down this music. It is contained in an old Schott album of Contemporary English Organ Music - a copy of this is available on Ebay in the US - price £16+ with P&P at over £20 on top - yikes! Gerben Mourik hadn't heard of the piece but I found that Andrew Canning in Uppsala has recorded it and he e-copied it to me - just two sheets - a great piece. The reason I wanted it was that Christopher Dearnley (my hero (!)) played it at his last recital at St Paul's - it is a typical Dearnley, slightly off the beaten track piece, and I am really pleased to have found it. The Choveauz piece on Lasst uns erfruen was recorded by Dearnley at St Paul's - a magnificent recording of both music and instrument.

Martin.