Prelude on "Passion Chorale" (In the style of Bach)

Percy Eastman Fletcher, was born in Derby on 12 December 1879 and died on 10 December 1932 at the early age of 52. He took lessons on violin, piano and organ, the former being his most important instrument. Like a number of his composer contemporaries, he made his living as a Musical Director in the London theater world, fulfilling this position successively at the Prince of Wales, Savoy, Daly's, Drury Lane and from, 1915 until his death, His Majesty's Theatre.

Fletcher wrote a large number of suites for light orchestras, and many fine, now forgotten, orchestral works.

He also composed quite widely for organ. An Interlude of 1901 is probably his earliest dated publication, while later works include the two most famous of his organ works, both dating from 1915, "Festival Toccata" and the always exquisite, "Fountain Reverie."

"Prelude on 'Passion Chorale' (In the style of Bach)" is found in "Hymn-Tune Voluntaries Part III", published by J. Curwen & Sons Ltd.

It is based on the famous chorale by Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612), and uses the harmonization by J. S. Bach (1685-1750) for the chorale phrases.

In between these melodic strains, Fletcher weaves a beautiful and highly expressive tapestry of sound and emotion. It doesn't "sound like Bach," but I think that it IS in the spirit of the Master, and well worth playing.

It would be perfect at any Passiontide service or concert, and shows the composer in one his most sophisticated moments.

The text of the first verse is:

O sacred head, sore wounded,
Defiled and put to scorn:
O kingly head, surrounded
With mocking crown of thorn;
What sorrow mars thy grandeur?
Can death thy bloom deflow'r?
O countenance whose splendor
The hosts of heav'n adore!

Paul Gerhardt (1607 -1676)

trans. by Robert S. Bridges (1844-1930)

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Percy E. Fletcher.