Two Interludes on Hymn Tunes (Picardy)

Richard Henry Coleman (3 April 1888 – 17 February 1965) was a cathedral organist, whose career culminated in his service at Peterborough Cathedral from 1921-1944.

Richard Henry Pinwill Coleman was born on 3 April 1888 in Dartmouth. He was a chorister in St George's Church, Ramsgate before going to Denstone College.

He studied organ under Sydney Nicholson at Carlisle Cathedral and Manchester Cathedral.

His positions held are as follows:

Assistant Organist of:
Manchester Cathedral 1908–1912

Organist of:
St. Mary the Virgin, Blackburn 1912–1914
St Columb's Cathedral 1914–1920
Peterborough Cathedral 1921–1944
Hatfield Parish Church 1947–1948
All Saints' Church, Eastbourne 1949–1959
Chapel Royal, Brighton

I really admire by Coleman, because he was an "unpretentious" man. He did not have a "fancy background" as most of his colleagues did. He was who he was, and this is reflected in the finely crafter and highly "approachable" music that he composed. Many of his compositions were intended "for" what he would have called, the "village organist," and these "Two Interludes on Hymn Tunes" are fine examples of this writing. They were published by Novello in 1931, so they date from his years at Peterborough.

The first piece is based upon the hymn-tune "Quam dilecta" (We love Thine Altar, Lord). It is written in a straightforward manner, the phrases of the hymn being interspersed between loving phrases that are song-like in their melodic appeal.

The second piece is based upon the famous hymn-tune, "Picardy" (Let all mortal flesh keep silence). Once again, the music is flowing and expressive, and not "darkly mysterious, as it is often set.

The score is attached below for both pieces.

I hope that you like Coleman's style and musical language, as I plan on uploading a number of his compositions. Many of which are "small" in scale, but not with a few "big" ones thrown in for good measure! ALL of them are beautifully balanced are rewarding to play.