Programme Notes

In 2023, I worked with the organ scholar at Peterborough Cathedral, Alice Smith, on a new set of voluntaries. I was particularly keen on voluntaries that were quiet and contemplative, which makes up the majority of the pieces in this suite:

I. Leave to the Waiting Evening

Lilting; a quiet ending to a service.

II. Descension, Ascension

Very calm and warm.

III. Last Light

Like a folksong; modal.

IV. Pipe Tune

Experiment with the organ stops to recreate the sound of a Northumbrian Pipe in the melody.

V. Tears, Day and Night

Requires the full dynamic range of the organ. This is only suitable for reflecting on violence of mind or actions, and must not be used in a quiet service!

V. Guide me (after Cym Rhondda)

This takes the theme of Cym Rhondda and presents it in a similar manner to that of Ralph Vaughan Williams Three Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes.