New publications

[Martin Cooke]

1. OUP's new Ceremonial Music for Organ 2 has arrived but I will leave forumites to form their own conclusions. Sample material and a list of items is available on the OUP Music site. To my mind, there are some good new pieces here - the York Bowen Wedding March, the John Cook Fanfare (for those who haven't already got it), the Ireland Elegy from the Downland Suite (arr Rowley) all come to mind, though I think the latter is available on IMSLP.

2. Today, I received my copy of Elegy and Festive Bells by John Rutter. Worth having. The Elegy is rather lovely - instantly recognisable as Rutter in his gentle mode, whilst the Festive Bells harks back to pieces like O clap your hands together with consecutive cascading fourths but then veers into a 'big tune' that reminds me of Rutter's hymn Eternal God we give you thanks for music. Neither piece is difficult - both very listenable and ready for Remembrance and Christmas in turn.

[S_L]

 

Always excellent and useful to see your recommendations Martin. I rarely play any more but it is always good to know what is out there! Many thanks for that.

You mention Alec Rowley! Can I 'make a plug' for his music? There is a wealth of approachable organ music, quite suitable for the Parish Church, Chapel or Cathedral, available on IMSLP - all of it, as you would expect, beautifully crafted, some of it sight-readable by a good sight-reader, and well worth investigating!  In 'my former life' I remember playing the 'Lyric Sonata' and a string quartet - but I can't find any mention of that latter work amongst his work-list!