Fughetta (Three Period Pieces, No. 2)

Frederick William Wadeley (also spelled Wadely) OBE FRCO (1882 - 1970) was born in Kidderminster in 1882, and was trained at the Royal College of Music and was then organ scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

He was organ scholar at Selwyn College, Cambridge (1900 – 1903), organist of St. Andrew’s Church, Uxbridge (1903-1904),
organist of Malvern Priory (1904 - 1910) and finally organist of Carlisle Cathedral (1910 - 1960).

The fine set of "Three Period Pieces" was published by Bosworth in 1948. They show a strong "English accent," but in unique and novel ways.

The second one, "Fughetta" is a brisk and concise fugue, with an energetic, "leaping" subject, that takes off like a little "controlled" sky-rocket.

Wadely covers a lot of ground, and his counterpoint, which seems quite fine, drives the piece joyfully along.

A large climax is reached, and the Solo Tuba gets a chance, first in the soprano, and then in chords in the left hand.

The conclusion is full, but not quite "full organ". The "big reed" in the Pedal in the last chord is the 16' Contra Tuba, and not the 32' reed.

I found this to be a really excellent "little fugue," with no waste or wandering filler. :-)

I dedicate this, and the following upload, to my great friend, Erzahler, who was kind enough to send me the music. :-)

THANKS, Andrew!

Photos of Malvern Priory and Carlisle Cathedral are attached below.