Edward Taylor plays Alcock :12 short introductory voluntaries No 1

Sir Walter Galpin Alcock (1861- 1947) was an English organist and composer. He held a number of important posts as an organist, playing at the coronations of three monarchs. He was also professor of organ at the Royal College of Music, London.
This piece is marked Andante and despite its title of 'introductory' this piece is definitely a multi-use work, suitable for almost any occasion. Starting out softly on the solo strings, the piece builds to a climax and dies away to strings again.
Performed on the organ of Carlisle Cathedral

[@baroqueman1]

A very useful collection, the contents not being difficult but effective, calming introductions to evening services in particular. Reminds me of images of evensongs which I used to accompany in country churches many years ago.

[@EdwardTaylorOrganist]

Yes. They are definitely extremely useful. Neat and compact

[@JonathanSilverton-ol7kn]

I hope that I am not name dropping, but in my youth I knew the Poet David Gascogne. He had married Jusy Lewis a good friend who lived in Yarmouth in the IOW. He had been a chorister at Salisbury under Alcock and a contemporary of Bernard Rose. I played him Alcock’s little piece in the Parry book on the organ in St James Church in that town. He was very moved. He said that it took him straight back to his childhood and hearing Alcock play the choir in before evensong. What a shame that there are no recordings of Alcock improvising.

[@EdwardTaylorOrganist]

That's called Rather Slowly isn't it? Lovely story. I do like Alcocks music. There is so much more than just the I and P.

[@michaeltester5187]

Ah, so very lovely.