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Stephen Burtonwood

List of Compositions

Stephen Burtonwood’s ‘Largo’ was an instant best seller in last September’s catalogue, even vying for top honours with Ronald Watson’s ‘Mrs Thing’ suites.  The rich and immensely tuneful idiom is further developed here in a fashion which we feel will be equally appealing.  If you play any of these as voluntaries people will be coming up to ask you what it is.  The ‘Picardy’ Variations would make a fine recital item as well.

Three Lakeland Sketches (B+) Windermere - Rydal - Thirlmere

£10.00

These are poetic evocations of favourite locations which are sure to find favour with Stephen’s many fans. Colin Ashworth has recorded all three movements on YouTube (see YouTube page here or use the direct links above).

A most attractive introductory voluntary, somewhat in the style of Flor Peeters’ ‘Aria’ (and nothing wrong in that!).  The congregation will immediately warm to this.  It has already had several outings in Liverpool Cathedral.

In the first two items Stephen’s unending chains of melody continue to weave their magic.  He is one of Fagus’ best-selling composers and you simply won’t go wrong with these!  The ‘Three Pieces’ are a touch more austere and ceremonial in character and are very effectively written.

This piece is dedicated to Professor Massimo Nosetti, the celebrated Turin-based recitalist, who has included Stephen’s ‘Arioso’ on a commercially issued CD. Gently pastoral in feeling it reminds us of some of the music of Harold Darke.

Stephen is one of Fagus’s most popular composers and here he is ‘promoted’ to the recital series since this is a large scale, imposing, and deeply felt 11 minute work, full of dramatic contrasts, which exploits the full resources of the instrument, while not making excessive technical demands.

All of Stephen Burtonwood’s previous pieces have proved extremely popular.  He has a seemingly endless fund of rich melody that helps create ideal introductory voluntaries.  The ‘Kingsfold’ Variations are more ambitious.   The well-known tune suits Stephen’s idiom very well, and the work as a whole calls for some imaginative registration.  It would be valuable as an audience-pleasing recital work.

Fagus customers have very much taken Stephen Burtonwood’s lush melodies to their hearts, and everyone who plays them will have found people asking ‘what was that ? ’ after the service.  This latest offering is perhaps the richest to date, the main tune having a noble urgency that is very persuasive.  There is here a Rachmaninovian ability to create long breathed tunes - the opening paragraph here runs to 28 bars, and anybody who thinks this is easy should try doing it !

This is another fine collection of mostly quite short pieces to complement Dr Beechey’s (above) in a slightly more romantic vein.  It is a tribute to Stephen Burtonwood’s inventiveness that he can create a characteristic melody as a counterpoint to the ‘Passion Chorale’ that is both highly effective and also allows something new to be said on this very well-worn theme. The other tunes used are ‘Eventide’, ‘Herongate’, ‘Maccabeus’, ‘Orentibus Partibus’ (x 2), ‘Rockingham’, ‘St. Albinus’, ‘Victory’ and ‘Wondrous Love’.

Stephen is one of Fagus’ best selling composers.  All those gorgeous tunes (still available of course) have always gone down well.  Here he widens his range considerably, and while single-minded devotees will love the second movement best, all will find the outer movements make fine loud voluntaries.

The Arietta is another one of Stephen’s tunes that will surely become as popular as some of his earlier efforts, and his many admirers need not hesitate.

The Elevation is written in a slightly more advanced idiom, one both hypnotic and mysterious, and highly suitable for a communion service.

A deeply felt movement, in fact one of Stephen's most intense pieces, which will make a very appropriate voluntary on an occasion when emotions are running high.

Here are seven variations on one of the best-known Christmas tunes which is put through some surprising hoops including a rather splendid Bolero.  Stephen’s many fans will not be disappointed.

Here Stephen enjoys himself in pastiche mode offering 10 variations on the well known tune attributed to Henry 8th. This would be good material for a light-hearted moment in a recital.

With this piece Stephen won second prize in the 2009 competition for new organ works organised by the Preston and District Organists’ Association. Based on Psalm 23, in your publisher’s view it as good a piece as Stephen has ever written and will sure to be successful.

Psalm Prelude no 4 (B) (Psalm 91, vv 1-2)

£3.00

This is another of Stephen’s deeply felt essays inspired by verses from the Psalter.

If you don’t have the others then here is a special offer

Stephen is in a jolly mood here which will delight his many admirers. This is just the piece for the end of a celebratory service, or one involving young people.

Lament (B+)

£3.00

Stephen is in reflective mode in this piece, ideally suited for a solemn occasion.

Introduction, Trumpet Tune And Epilogue on F-C-F-D-E (B/B+)

£5.00

This is an effective, rousing work which does what it says on the cover. It would be useful as a recital piece or as a lengthy postlude (where such would be appropriate).

Three Miniatures (A+/B) Improvisation - Semplice - Processional

£7.00

These pieces are ideal service music - tuneful but not trite - and sure to be a hit with Stephen’s army of fans.

Chorale Variations on ‘Es Ist Ein Ros' Ensprungen’ (C/D)

£15.00

This is a very extended set of variations on the well-known theme. Some of them could doubtless be used for short voluntaries, but the real object of the piece is to provide a stunning item for a Christmas recital.

Reflection (B+)

£5.00

This is another warmly romantic offering from Stephen; the music is shaped with his usual care.

'Sarabande For A Prince' (B)

£5.00

This piece is clearly designed for a solemn occasion, and is a muted response to the events of April 2021.

Slow Air (B-C)

£6.00

This is another of Stephen’s lovely tunes, warmly lyrical, and eminently suitable for a voluntary.

Three Pieces for Organ Manuals Prelude – Aria – Jig (B)

£10.00

These interesting pieces were written following a request from Paul Edwards. He wanted some movements to play on some of his favourite - and exquisite - instruments to be found in north Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Theme and Variations on ‘Ebenezer’ (B-C)

£8.00

This piece is stormy (reflecting the vigour of the tune) and poetic by turns (which is slightly more surprising). You will need agile feet for the last section ‘... rolling as a mighty ocean in its fulness over me!...’

Last updated: 15 September 2024