| Description: | 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.
"Nocturne des Anges" is the fourth work in "Pieces in Various Styles," published by W. J. Willcocks & Co. It is dedicated: "To jis brother, Charles Vincent, Mus. Doc. Oxon."
This is a rather remarkable piece. It is MUCH more chromatic in the harmonic usage, and seems to be more in the style of the dedicatee, his brother, Charles.
The writing itself isn't all that "unusual," but it very successfully depicts the fluttering of angelic wings. The melodic lines are rich, and the colors and phrases are often quite "shadowy," as would befit the aspects of a nocturnal sound painting.
I found this piece very demanding, as the details in playing, but particularly in managing the registration is exceptionally demanding. Since I tend to go all out on the tonal details, it became a trying and dangerous performance - dangerous in getting through it without messing it up!
I tried MANY ways of doing this, and while even this outcome is not completely what I wanted, I'm essentially pleased with it.
The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Charles Vincent, the dedicatee, and some of St. Michael's, Cornhill. Also attached is the specification of the organ there, which I believe is the same one Vincent played. |
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