Noon

Martin Edward Fallas Shaw OBE FRCM (9 March 1875 – 24 October 1958) was an English composer, conductor and (in his early life) theatre producer. His over 300 published works include songs, hymns, carols, oratorios, several instrumental works, a congregational mass setting (the Anglican Folk Mass) and four operas including a ballad opera.

He was born in London, the son of the James Shaw, composer of church music and organist of Hampstead Parish Church. He studied under Stanford at the Royal College of Music, together with a generation of composers that included Holst, Vaughan Williams and John Ireland. He began his career as an organist, serving at Emmanuel Church, West Hampstead, from 1895 to 1903. He subsequently took posts as Organist and Director of Music, first at St Mary's, Primrose Hill, and later at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. He was also Master of Music at the Guildhouse, London. Working with Percy Dearmer, Martin was music editor of The English Carol Book (1913, 1919) and, with Ralph Vaughan Williams, of Songs of Praise (1925, 1931) and The Oxford Book of Carols (1928).

In 1932 Shaw received the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music. He was appointed an OBE in 1955 and was made a FRCM in 1958.

Many composers write pieces depicting scenes of the morning and scenes of the evening, but I don't think I recall ANY others that depict the middle of the day!

"Noon" was published by J. B. Cramer & Co. Ltd. in 1924. It is a somewhat "odd" piece, but I found it to be extremely interesting and appealing. There are more than a few "Tudor touches" in this, but they are mingled with more "modern" phrases, at least modern for 1924!

For those who know Martin Shaw only as an editor and arranger of hymns and Christmas carols, "Noon" will prove to be quite striking and original. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Martin Shaw, and several of St. Mary's Church, Primrose Hill, where he served as organist.