Nocturne (for Good Shepherd Sunday)

Arthur Blurton Plant (1853-1914) was a chorister at Litchfield Cathedral was organist of St. Modwen Burton-on-Trent Parish Church as well as municipal organist for over 40 years.

Today, the Fourth Sunday after Easter, is "Good Shepherd Sunday," the day we think of Jesus as our Shepherd.

This piece has "nothing" to do with Good Shepherd Sunday, but I think it's pretty clear that this is not some "mystical nocturne," or a poem of the night. Rather, it seems like the procession of the sheep (or bovines!) from their peaceful day in the pasture, back home to the safety of their shelter.

The conception is a simple one, but it will need some finesse to bring it off smoothely.

The work can be found in Volume 5 of the famous (at one time) series, "The Organ Loft," published by W. Paxton & Co. Ltd. in 1907.

The work is dedicated: "To Mrs. T. Burn," and is "No. 134" in the series.

I've done this as nearly as indicated by the composer, and this simple way of managing the stops sounds exactly right on the Peterborough Hill.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of the Quire of Lichfield Cathedral, where Plant was a chorister, and several photos of St. Modwen, Burton-on-Trent where he served as organist.

I wish you peace and safety on this Good Shepherd Sunday.