Sunday September 15th at 3 p.m.
played by John Woodhouse ACertCM FGMS
Organist St Michael and All Angels, Beckenham
Grand March from Aida Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
This year we celebrate the bicentenary of Verdi’s birth. The Grand March is a chorus of praise
to the Egyptian pharaoh and accompanies a parade of captured Ethiopian slaves often
including elephants!
Prelude on “Aurelia” Father Andrew Moore (b.1954)
This prelude on the tune for “The church’s one foundation” was composed to mark John’s
50th birthday in 1996 and published by Mayhews in the book Consecration. The tune is in the
right hand with a gentle accompaniment in the left hand. John has had many years of
ecumenical involvement and so the hymn is an appropriate choice. Father Andrew is now a
parish priest in Portsmouth.
Chorale Prelude ‘Das alten jahr vergangen ist’ Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
This is the prelude for New Year’s Day from the Orgelbuchlein.
Suite from “The Water Music” George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)
Introduction, Minuet, Air, Siciliana, Hornpipe, Aria, Bourree, Finale
What more suitable choice for a quiet afternoon than the well-loved music of Handel?
Duo for Two Tunes Herbert Woodhouse (1920 – 2006) including a free harmonization by
Harrison Oxley
Thinking about the London Marathon, the verse in the hymn ‘Fight the good fight’; came to
mind. ‘Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up thine eyes, and seek his face;
Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize’
In this piece composed on 15th February 1997, my Dad has combined the tunes ‘Duke Street’
and ‘Pentecost’ from the Church Hymnary, which is set to ‘Pour out Thy Spirit from on high’
which in the New English Hymnal is also set to ‘Duke Street’ The final verse of that hymn is
‘Then, when their work is finished here in humble hope their charge resign, when the Chief
Shepherd shall appear, O God, then may we all be thine’ and the words are by James
Montgomery 1771-1884.
2 Songs without words Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) arranged by John E.West
No. 6 Venetian Gondola song No. 9 in E major
These pieces for piano work well on the organ and like so much of Mendelssohn’s music are
beautifully crafted and gentle on the ear. John much enjoyed visiting Mendelssohn’s home in
Leipzig and seeing the memorial window in St Thomas’s church, Leipzig. He finds these
Songs without words ideal music when he has had a tiring and stressful day!
Pilgrim’s Chorus from Tanhauser Richard Wagner (1813-1883) transcribed by Franz Liszt
Another bicentenary this year is that of Wagner and this chorus ends quietly in Liszt’s
version.
Triptych of the Holy Trinity John Harper (b.1947)
I look for the Lord my soul doth wait for Him (Psalm 130)
This work has 3 contrasting sections suggesting Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Section A uses
diapason tone, section B flute and section C a chorus including a gentle reed. There are hints
of the plainsong melodies Veni redemptor gentium for Christmas Eve and Beata nobis gaudia
at Pentecost. John Harper was formerly Director General of the Royal School of Church
Music.
Verset on the “Adoro Te” Leon Boellmann (1862-1897)
This voluntary on the plainchant melody “Thee we adore O hidden saviour” has been
described as the most beautiful organ voluntary ever written. Boellmann trained in Paris and
became organist of St. Vincent de Paul. His Suite Gothique is justly famous.
A selection of pieces from the Mayhew book “Expressions” Father Andrew Moore (b.1954)
Cantabile
Adagio dolente
Plaint
Berceuse
John discovered this book on the Nicholson organ of Belmont Abbey, Hereford and asked one
of the monks about the composer. On being told he was parish priest at Little Malvern where
Elgar is buried he set off straight away with Liz to find the church. The grave was surrounded
by a vegetable patch and chickens! A very well-spoken and rather formal priest answered the
presbytery door but on being told that his music had been discovered invited us into a lovely
room with grand piano, paintings of Provence and stunning view over the Malvern valley!
Music was quickly produced and played!
Master Blacket’s Bishopthorpe suite Herbert Woodhouse (1920-2006)
To mark the restoration in 1994 of the 1884 Forster and Andrews (Hull) organ in St John’s
church, Bishopthorpe, Glebe, Sydney John’s father composed this suite. Edmund Blacket
who designed St John’s church was an organist of note and he married Sarah Pease in
Wakefield, Yorkshire on May 27. 1842.
Springtime in Bishopthorpe features a flute solo
Minuet for Mistress Sarah is based on the hymn tune ‘Bishopthorpe’(‘Immortal love for ever
full’) Dad was born and educated in York and enjoyed the link with Bishopthorpe, the
Archbishop of York’s residence.
Edmund’s Postlude starts with a fanfare which leads into a rousing tune in B major.
Herbert Woodhouse FTCL was city organist of Hobart and played the organ for 61 years.
When he had a stroke and could no longer play he sent 500 pieces of organ music to John –
rather like Elijah’s mantle landing on Elisha! The Postlude was played at the end of the
funeral of Herbert and Olive Woodhouse in Christ Church St Laurence Sydney and John has
played it on the organ at Glebe where his Dad played for several years.
R.A.F. March Past and the Dambusters March Sir Henry Walford Davies (1869 – 1941) and
Eric Coates (1886-1957)
It has been said that the youngest of the services has the best march past! Not far from
Beckenham, the brave fighter pilots took off from Biggin Hill to face the German onslaught.
Today is Battle of Britain Sunday. In a speech in the House of Commons on August 20 1940,
as the Battle raged, Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister, referred to the British airmen who
by their prowess and devotion were turning the tide of World War. He went on to declare,
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Ever since,
those who fought in the Battle have been referred to as “The Few”.
Performer’s details
Born in Cheltenham in 1946 and married to Liz with 3 children and 2 grandsons. Taken to
South Africa aged 3 months old. Educated at St John’s College Johannesburg and we will be
returning there for the 50 year reunion this year. The University of the Witwatersrand for a
B.A. in English and History of Art. 3 years at Johannesburg Public library and completed a
B.A. Hons in English. Fully qualified librarian and worked for 36 years at Wandsworth
libraries.
Since retirement completing an M.A. in Christianity and Interreligious relations at Heythrop
College part-time. Organises the interfaith group at Westminster Cathedral.
Taught to play the organ by my father and has sung in choirs all my life. First tenor in the
Philharmonia Chorus for 37 years learning from many great conductors and choir directors
including Norbert Balatsch, David Hill and Robert Dean. Played at St Margaret’s Upper
Norwood (Anglican) and for 19 years was director of music at Our Lady of the Annunciation
Addiscombe (Catholic) and responsible for the installation of a fine new digital organ to
replace the pipe organ.
7 years as director of music at St Andrew Coulsdon (Anglican) and I retired from there in
May 2012. Began playing the organ at St Michael and All Angels Beckenham February 2013.
Interests - literature, travel, art galleries, opera and music not least the Proms!
Server with my wife at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday evenings, a member of the
Society of St Gregory and the Panel of Monastic Musicians. On the Southwark committee of
the Royal School of Church Music and on the committee of the Croydon and Bromley
Organists’ Association and a Past President.
Organises an annual visit to Cambridge or Oxford colleges and this year we visit Cambridge
on September 28th – all welcome!