Fête Joyeuse

Richard (Irven) Purvis (August 25, 1913 – December 25, 1994) was an American organist, composer, conductor and teacher. He is especially remembered for his expressive recordings of the organ classics and his own lighter compositions for the instrument.

He entered the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 1934. He was initially taught organ by Alexander McCurdy and conducting by Fritz Reiner. Further studies were with Josef Levine in New York, Dr. Edward Bairstow in England and Marcel Dupré in France. During World War II, while serving as a bandmaster, Purvis was captured and held as a prisoner of war for six months.

From 1947 through 1971, Purvis held the position of Organist and Master of Choristers at Grace Cathedral, where he helped to form a cathedral school for boys, ensuring the continuation of the all male choir tradition. He was also organist at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. Upon his retirement from Grace Cathedral, he continued to compose, teach and give recitals into his 70’s. He died on December 25, 1994 at the age of 81.

"Fête Joyeuse" is the first work in "Three Fanciful Concepts," published by Harold Flammer in 1967. It is dedicated: "For Rodney Hansen". Hansen was a well-known American organist, who made much of his career in Baltimore, culminating as Organist of Old St. Paul's Church there.

The work is exactly what the title implies, a grand and massive outburst of joy with fanfares and all kinds of big, splashy chords.

This in not Anglican ceremonial to my way of thinking. Rather, this is 1940-50's American Episcopal Church pageantry, the exact sort of thing you would have heard when Purvis was there.

Photos of Richard Purvis, Rodney Hansen, the dedicatee, and of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco are attached below.

Tomorrow, "March on Easter Themes" by Mark Andrews, and Englishman you emigrated to the United States, making much of his career there.

Wishing you ALL BLESSINGS OF THE SEASON!