Benedictus - Alec Rowley

'Benedictus' is a very little known work by the English organist/composer, Alec Rowley which he composed in 1931 for the Novello Original Compositions series. This beautiful mediative work is very much in the style of Harold Darke, in terms of it's melodic writing, harmonic language, crescendo's and even the numerous key changes which are very subtle. Rowley wrote a substantial body of accessible organ music which were melodious, attractive and usually not too difficult to play. On this video, recorded on the virtual Salisbury Cathedral Hauptwerk pipe organ, I've tried to demonstrate as many different colours as possible ranging from the luscious strings to full organ.

[@baroqueman1]

A serene piece from a '' comforting'' era of English organ music composition. Conjures up much peaceful imagery of traditional church services of bygone years.

[@derekburnsorg]

It certainly is - a very undervalued composer who wrote some beautiful liturgical music! :)

[@ronanmcquade4945]

Beautiful, played with sensitivity and excellent musicality!

[@derekburnsorg]

Thanks Ronan for your lovely comment - it was a joy to play and record!! :-)

[@gilesgilbertscott]

Thanks for introducing me to this lovely piece.

[@derekburnsorg]

No problem at all cae, it's a wonderful little gem that I've only uncovered myself recently also!! Hope you manage to download and play yourself :-)

[@gilesgilbertscott]

I have downloaded it thanks. I see you use Hauptwerk in a standard Viscount or similar digital - presumably through Midi. Does that give you control through the tabs or do you set up presets etc?

[@derekburnsorg]

@@gilesgilbertscott i'm using a Johannes Opus. 10 and yes, it's through a midi to USB connection. I've set up pre-sets using the stepper system on the Salisbury organ, which is ideal to get a full range of colours for using the full 4 manuals on only 2, which is more complicated than you can imagine! I've allocated the Solo and Choir to the 1st manual (Swell) and the Great and Swell to the 2nd manual (Great), so when making the videos, it is so much easier to use this system which has been allocated to a pedal piston - you may see activated every stop changes when one of the tab-lights come and go. I've also assigned a limited selection of my most desired stops to the tabs, however, I really only use these when i'm note-bashing really! Hope this helps, but if you have any questions, please let me know :)

[@aviatorpianokraft]

Quintessentially English. I studied a number of Alec Rowly piano exam pieces

[@arthurlingings4031]

There is also a "Second Benedictus" 1942 , just as good.

[@derekburnsorg]

Thanks Arthur, I'll have a look into the "sequel"

[@dalerider3124]

Where is the power from the bass ranks?

[@derekburnsorg]

Hi Dale, I was using the stepper system on hauptwerk to create the crescendo/dimuendo, so basically just added appropriate bass for every section which I worked out in advance of the recording.