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Gordon Lawson

List of Compositions

Organ

3 Characteristic Pieces (B/C) 
Meditation on Psalm 121 - An Old-World Minuet - A Tuba Tune
  £7.00

These pieces are a little more straightforward in both idiom and technical demands than some of Gordon’s other work and have much appeal. The ‘Tuba Tune’ is as good as any in this vein, and something many of you ought immediately to get into your repertoire.

Suite: Sunday Mornings (B/B+) 
Processional - Intrada - Offertoire - Meditation -  Sortie
(5 Short Pieces for Organ) £10.00

As with Humphrey and Nigel above, Gordon’s music has always been popular.  The music here on offer is very approachable (perhaps, indeed, slightly more so than elsewhere) and is certainly ‘congregation friendly’, yet it is completely characteristic of the composer.

Ten Short Voluntaries (B/C)   £12.00

This is a a most useful collection of pieces in varied styles none lasting more than three minutes or so.  The style is in general reflective, though there are two fine postlude-type movements: the idiom is modern-tonal - interesting for the player but won’t frighten the grannies.

Elegy (C)   £5.00

This is a deeply felt and moving piece, suitable for a recital, or a funeral service.  As one would expect from this composer, the handling of the material is masterly.

This is a a most useful collection of pieces in varied styles none lasting more than three minutes or so.  The style is in general reflective, though there are two fine postlude-type movements: the idiom is modern-tonal - interesting for the player but won’t frighten the grannies.

In Contemplation (A/B)
Six Quiet Pieces
  £8.00

The title says it all. Your proprietor has happily played his way through all these as introductory voluntaries. Gordon’s most recent style is very approachable and the music is in a warm and mellifluous idiom that falls readily under the fingers (and feet).

Gordon Lawson Suite for Josep (Organ Suite no 2) (B-D)
In Memoriam (A.B.) - Cavatina - Scherzo - Meditation - Toccata
  £12.00

Gordon says of this piece: ‘Josep Giner lives in Denia and is a professor of organ at the Conservatorio in Valencia. He is a well-known recitalist in Spain. He organises the International Organ Festival in Pedreguer (Alicante Prov.) which is in its 15th year’. This suite was premiered to great acclaim in Spain in December 2010. Please note the ‘D’ rating above only applies to the Toccata.

 

Choir

A Harvest Anthem (A/B)
(SATB/Organ)
'For the beauty of the earth' One copy £2.00
Five or more, £1.50 each

Well, apart from the totally obvious pieces from Greene and Wood, how many other decent, singable, tuneful harvest anthems are there?  This is in the same idiom as Gordon’s best- selling carol ‘Love came down at Christmas’.  My choir has already purchased a set.

Ave Maria (B)
(SATB/Organ)
  One copy £2.00
Five or more, £1.50 each

Lovely singable lines here and the organ accompaniment removes much of what might otherwise be difficult.

The Ashwell Carol (A+)   One copy £3.00
Five or more, £2.00 each

The fine words by John Catterick are to be found in the Penguin Book of Christmas Carols and this setting was commissioned by the Northampton Bach Choir. It is dedicated to them and their director Lee Dunleavy. This is a good tune and a straightforward setting.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
The Lord bless you and keep you
(For trebles or sopranos and organ) (C)
(B+)
£2.50
£2.00

The first on these fine anthems was written for Lee Dunleavy and the boys of All Saints Church, Northampton, and if you have the resources this work is well worth considering.

The setting of the Aaronic Blessing is offered as an alternative to the one that seems to have cornered the market; it will be found a most enjoyable sing.

 

Anthem

God be in my head (B)
S solo, SATB (minor div) + Organ
'For the beauty of the earth' One copy £2.00,
Five or more, £1.00 each

This is another exquisite anthem from Gordon, and while the text is very well known it can stand another version, especially one like this. Your publisher’s choir will be doing this at some time this autumn.

 

Service Setting

Jubilate Deo in E (C)

SATB and Organ

  One copy £4.00,
Five or more £2.50 each

Magnifict and Nunc Dimittis in E (C)

Unison Voices and Organ

  One copy £4.00,
Five or more, £2.50 each

 

Witten for Lee Dunleavy and the choir of All Saints, Northampton, the Jubilate is a companion to Gordon’s ‘Te Deum’ (available as an Oecumuse reprint). It is a splendid piece of work. The Evening Canticles (written for the boys) are extraordinarily beautiful and atmospheric. Provided the singers are happy with modulation there is nothing impossibly demanding here for them, and it is suggested that when they realise how effective and lovely the music is they will be eager to rise to the challenges.

 

 


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Last updated: 25 February 2013