Aria

W. Stanley Vann (1910-2010) was an extrememly distinguished British organist and composer, most remembered for his tenure as Organist and Master of the Music at Peterborough Cathedral (1953-1977).

Rather than try to give a "squeezed-in" biography, I'll give this link to a website created by his son, which gives full details, recordings, lists of works, etc.

http://www.stanleyvannmusic.org.uk/index.htm

Vann was a distinctive and distinguished composer, and his works have a "certain sound" to them. His old recordings, made with the choir of Peterborough, were an ENORMOUS influence on me. A former assistant from the pre-Peterborough days told me, "Stanley could get as much, if not more, from 'ordinary boys', as Willcocks (meaning the famous David Willconcks) could get from 'Kings-type boys', meaning of course King's College, Cambridge.

"Aria" was published in 1992 by Kevin Mayhew, Ltd. It bears the dedication "For Shearhod Brice".

It is a mesmerizing piece, both rhapsodic and measured at the same time. The rich melodies and harmonies were very much part of Vann's writing.

In this recording, you first hear the "solo" played upon the pungent Orchestral Oboe of the Solo. The central section for "celestes" is played upon the gorgeous Solo Unda maris.
The recap of the theme is played on the "darker" Hautboy of the Swell.

I never met Stanley Vann, but always had tremendous admiration for him. Many of his recordings with the choir of Peterborough Cathedral had a great influence upon me - not only for the musical performances, but increasing in me a desire to devote my life to the Anglican style and tradition - something I knew nothing about at the time.

Several photos of Stanley Vann and of the great Peterborough Cathedral are attached below.

MORE recordings coming soon!