Jonathan Clinch

Merton College Choir have just finished recording their latest CD for Delphian Records, which includes Jonathan Clinch’s arrangement of Herbert Howells’ anthem ‘O pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (OUP). Originally for choir and organ, Jonathan’s new score adds full string orchestra to match the forces of Howells’ anthem The House of the Mind (also recorded on this disc). The sonorities are modelled on two important string pieces, Howells’ own 1917 Elegy (scored for solo viola, string quartet, and string orchestra) and Vaughan Williams’ ‘Tallis’ Fantasia (one of Howells’ favourite pieces of music).

The 75th anniversary of the death of Sir Edward Bairstow fell on 1st May 2021, so I’ve made a quick recording of my favourite of his organ works.

Three pieces from my new edition of Herbert Howells Piano Works (Wise Music) will be premiered today by Matthew Schellhorn. The recital will be streamed live below and includes…

Herbert Howells (1892–1983)
Romance (1908) WORLD PREMIERE
Once Upon A Time (1949)
Legend (1909) WORLD PREMIERE
Comme le cerf soupire… (1963) WORLD PREMIERE

This morning I was made aware of an American article, written by Dr Guy Whatley, which reproduced some of my early research on Herbert Howells and the organ, without proper citations.

I am therefore making the original article available free of charge and I am grateful to the British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) and their journal editor, Dr Katie Pardee, for allowing me to do so.

Herbert Howells’s Organ Works? Critical reception, performance practice and the case for reappraisal, JBIOS, vol. 37 (2013)

UPDATE:

The journal Vox Humana has issued a statement on the article produced by Dr Guy Whatley.

(source: http://www.voxhumanajournal.com/statement2021.3.16.html)

During lockdown I’ve been recording several pieces of Bach to relieve the boredom and solitude! They’re all done in one take, in-between classes, and unedited. Here are a few…

#LockdownRecordings

Chorale text…

We Christian people have joy now
because for our consolation Christ has been born as a man,
he has redeemed us.
The person who takes comfort in this
and believes firmly will not be lost.

Registration: Spitzflöthe 4′ and Sufflet 1′, Ped Octavbass 8′

The score quotes John 6:56​ – “He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him” Possibly the most calm piece of organ music ever written, perfect for lockdown.

Hereford Cathedral, #Hauptwerk​ VI

#LockdownRecordings​ #Live​ #Noedits​

I’m taking a break after 7 hours of teaching on zoom yesterday(!) to record some Sweelinck using the sounds of the stunning organ in the Grote Kerk Nijkerk.
The 400th anniversary of his death falls in 2021.

Enjoy…