Prelude in F, Op. 17, No. 3

George Vincent (1855-1928) was the brother of Charles Vincent (1852-1934), the composer who has already been featured in a number of my uploads.

The entire family were organists, as the father was also an organist. A third son, H. S. Vincent (1861-1935) was an organ builder based in Sunderland.

George Frederick Vincent studied at the Leipzig Conservatory, 1874-76, under Dr Karl Reinecke, Dr Robert Papperitz and Ernst Friedrich E. Richter. Organist of Sunderland Parish Church, 1872-74; St. Mary’s Parish Church, Whitburn, 1877-82; St. Thomas’, Sunderland, 1882-1900; St. Michael’s, Cornhill, London's, the same position held by Harold Darke for many years, who succeeded Vincent.

"Prelude in F" is the third work in "Pieces in Various Styles," published by W. J. Willcocks & Co. It is dedicated: "To Clara."

Despite the fact that the harmonic language is conservative, the music is idiomatic, and makes the organ sound good, the Peterborough Hill being an ideal vehicle for the music.

This prelude is an expressive work with a bit more harmonic interest to it. The writing is chromatic in a late-romantic manner, and the lines give an opportunity for good expressiveness.

Registration is mostly the softer diapasons, but the Solo clarinet and Swell strings are heard before the end.

More Vincent music coming soon! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of St. Michael's, Cornhill, as well as the specification of the organ there, which I believe is the same one Vincent played.