Idyll No. 2

Alan Gray (23 December 1855 – 27 September 1935) was a British organist and composer. He was born in York, and attended St Peter's School and Trinity College, Cambridge. From 1883 until 1893 he was Director of Music at Wellington College. In 1893 he returned to Cambridge to be organist at Trinity College, and remained organist there until 1930. He died in Cambridge, aged 79.

Among his compositions are liturgical music which include several complete service settings, as well as a Communion Service. The Evening Service in F minor, for double choir a capella is particularly fine. A number of his fine hymn descants are still in common use, as are a few of his hymn tunes. His monumental anthem, "What are these that glow from afar?", which was written to commemorate those who fell in World War I is an electrifying work that fully satisfies and challenges organist and choir! Fortunately, the text is such that it can be used for the Feast of All Saints. His organ works, which are numerous, have all but disappeared, but I'll be uploading a few others over the coming weeks.

Gray was a TALL man, who stood at 6'7"! However he was said to be very gentle, especially with choristers, who loved him greatly. He is still thought of with words of praise at Trinity College.

"Idyll No. 2" is from a group of four. It was published in 1912, and was dedicated to Dr. E. T. Sweeting (1863-1930), who was an accomplished organist and arranger. A Master of Music at Winchester College, Sweeting taught there from 1901 until 1924 having previously been Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge for four years.

The text quoted at the start is: "The drowsy murmuring stream Lulls the warm noonday in an endless dream." The work, which is colorful and orchestral, captures the mood of this text in a special way.

The score is attached.