Poem

Dr. Norman Coke-Jephcott was born in Coventry on 17 March 1893. He was educated at Bablake School and was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in 1911. He was admitted Fellow of the American Guild of Organists in 1912. In 1945 he was admitted to the Fellowship in the Canadian College of Organists (honoris causa) and in the same year received the honorary degree of the D. Mus from Ripon College in the same year, and was made a Fellow of Trinity College, London in 1947.

Regarded by his colleagues as one of the world's greatest masters in organ improvisation, he had also to his credit over twenty published works, the most well-known being the "Bishops' Promendade" (1954) and the anthem, "Surely the Lord is in this place".

He became Organist and Master of the Choristers of Grace Church, Utica, New York in 1923, and then served for 21 years as Organist and Master of the Choristers of the Cathedral of St, John the Divine in New York City (1932-1953).

"Poem" was published in 1957 by Harold Flammer, Inc. It is dedicated: "G.A.E.", so it is dedicated to Gae Findlay, as are most of Coke-Jephcott's compositions.

It is quite "modern" in tonality, but certainly tonal throughout. It's pretty much a continuous, rhapsody, and is highly chromatic.

It's fussy to see what the "real" indications are, as they are combined with the Hammond organ markings as well.

I found this to come together pretty easily, but C-J would certainly help many performers if he gave an indication of where to "add" or "subtract" stops. As it is, you get no help from the score.

The music rises to one grand climax with the theme appearing in the Pedal underneath the full organ. The last phrases before that pedal entrance are almost exactly the same as some phrases in "Jesus Christ Superstar!" :-)

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Norman Coke-Jephcott, as well as a memorial plaque dedicated to him in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in NYC.