Song without Words, Op. 56

Frederick William Holloway was born in 1873, he died on 20 January 1954, aged 80. A FRCO at 19 and Assistant Organist at Crystal Palace at twenty, he was organist of St Paul's, Herne Hill 1892-1909 moving to All Saints, Dulwich where he remained for a remarkable 41 year span up to 1950 combining this for part of the time (1932-49) with the conductorship of the Crystal Palace Choral and Orchestral Society. He was actually rehearsing the Choral Society when the Palace caught fire; everyone escaped but Holloway's organ and all his music perished. His works were numerous being mainly for voices, piano and organ. The organ music included two symphonies in E Minor (Opus 40) and C Minor (Opus 47), the Cantilena, Concert Toccata Opus 33 and the Suite Arabesque Opus 57 and many miniatures.

Many, probably most, instrumentalists of the past composed music for their own use. Fewer do so now possibly because recital tours are more hectic nowadays. It is relatively rare for others besides the performer-composer to play these pieces however and probably this was, generally speaking, always the case.

"Song without Words" is exactly what the title implies. It is music of the concert hall, rather than liturgical music for the church, but it could still make for a nice summer prelude.

The mood is free and breezy, with a contrasting and slightly "darker" central section. Many will not take this sort of thing seriously - which is perhaps the very reason that makes it so appealing!

The work was edited by Bernard Johnson, and published by Stainer & Bell in 1913.

The score is attached below, but I found no photos of Frederick Holloway. I did include two photos of Bernard Johnson.

I dedicate this, and the preceding "Pavane in A" to my good friend in England, Nicholas! I hope you enjoy these!

The Fourth of July is coming, and I promise fireworks galore, with a major American "unplayed/unknown" work, and several transcriptions! :-)