Darwall's 148th (Ten Hymn Tune Voluntaries, Book 1, No. 1)

Richard Henry Pinwill Coleman (April 3, 1888, Dartmouth, England - February 17, 1965, Eastbourne, England) was a chorister in St George's Church, Ramsgate before going to Denstone College. He studied organ under Sydney H. Nicholson at Carlisle Cathedral and Manchester Cathedral. While at Carlisle he was organist of St Stephen's Church.

On completing his apprenticeship Richard Henry Coleman was appointed Assistant Organist of Manchester Cathedral (1908-1912). He was then Organist of Blackburn Parish Church (St. Mary the Virgin, now the Cathedral) (1912-1914), and of Derry Cathedral (St Columb's Cathedral), Londonderry (1914-1920). He succeeded Haydn Keeton as organist of at Peterborough Cathedral (1921-1944).

Subsequently he was county music organiser for Staffordshire (1944-1947), Organist of Hatfield Parish Church, Hertfordshire (1947-1948), Organist of All Saints', Eastbourne (1949-1959), and then Director of Music at the Chapel Royal, Brighton.

He took the Dublin degree of Mus.B. in 1919, followed by that of Mus.D. in 1924, also holding the FRCO diploma in 1911. His book, The Amateur Choir Trainer (1932), reissued in 1964 as The Church Choir Trainer, is still "on the mark," but of course, MUCH has changed since the days when Coleman wrote it.

His music is "conservative," but always well-written. He often wrote with "amateur" organists and "village choirs" in mind.

The "Ten Hymntune Voluntaries" were composed in 1933 while Coleman was still at Peterborough. They show his conservative craftsmanship, and his care in writing pieces of a "smaller scope" without sacrificing beauty or creativity. Some are "workman-like," but others show sophistication and inspiration, but in a miniature format.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Coleman, several of Peterborough, and photos of the hymn composer and/or author, in cased that I could provide them.

Individual performance and musical notes are given in the First Comment.