Oxford Book Of Ceremonial Organ Music

The 32 pieces in this anthology have all been specially chosen by Robert Gower because they have a touch of grandeur and are guaranteed to make a striking impression on any audience or congregation! Given such an inclusive interpretation of ceremonial the contents cover a range of moods and periods from baroque to contemporary from stately to extrovert from major-key exuberance to minor-key gravitas. All the pieces are immediately attractive and accessible both to the player and to the listener and virtually all the works here will be popular at weddings as voluntaries or for recitals. With a few exceptions most of the music is not difficult and hasbeen wonderfully set here for Organ Manuals and Pedals. Alongside established favourites by Handel Elgar Boellmann Mendelssohn and Purcell there are contemporary pieces by Francis Jackson Herbert Sumsion Grayston Ives Bob Chilcott and John Madden. You will soon find this volume proving to be an essential addition to the organist’s library.

John Rutter's We Have A Strong City for SATB Trumpet in C and Organ.This substantial anthem was composed in 2015 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta and to mark Salisbury Cathedral's stewardship of the charter since 1215. Rutter succeeds in weaving together passages from the books of Isaiah Zechariah and Amos with music that is both ceremonial and mysteriously intense to create a dignified and powerful work.