Introduction, Fugue and Variations on "Tallis' Canon" (Concluding Voluntary)

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."

This melody, composed by the great Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585) is familiar to most church musicians.

Although linked with several texts, I think "Glory (All praise) to Thee, my God this night" is the most common, and I've included the entire text in the First Comment.

In this somewhat extended version, Fletcher sets forth and introduction, followed by the hymn, and then 3 variations. Next comes the "fugue," which just hints at being fugal, followed by a grandiose conclusion.

Fletcher's setting of the great melody is found in "Hymn-Tune Voluntaries, Part I" published by J. Curwen & Sons Ltd. It is another one of those pieces that is much "smaller" on the 2 printed staves, and will need a lot of filling out plus a good sense of the grand style to make it sounds as it does here.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Percy Eastman Fletcher.