A Legend, Op. 14 (Hommage to Frederick Delius)

The Revd Montague Herbert Spinney (1877-1974) was organ scholar of Selwyn College, Cambridge in 1906 in which year he also graduated from the Royal Academy of Music.

He was ordained priest in 1911 and, following war service in the RAF, was Dean’s Vicar and assistant organist of Lichfield Cathedral from 1919–1924.

From 1925–1934 he was vicar of Horninglow near Burton-on-Trent and from 1936 until his retirement in 1958, he was Vicar of Codsall near Wolverhampton.

"A Legend" was published in 1913 by the Midland Music Press as No. 31 in their "New Series of Organ Music."

At the top of the score appears this motto:

"Voulez-vous vous asseoir au bord du bassin de marbre?
Il y a un tilleul ou le soleil n'entre jamais..."

Google translates this as:

"Do you want to sit by the marble pool?
There is a lime tree where the sun never enters..."

It is one of the strangest and most "difficult" works I can recall playing. Most of the difficulties result in the massive stretches and the movement of 6 and 7 note chords intended to be legato, but often being separated by the distance of an octave or more.

The work is inscribed "Hommage to Delius" and must surely be intended to show the violently intense physical struggles he endured in his life.

It is also intended, I believe, to show tragedy and triumph, and the overcoming of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The demands of the registration, which is never actually indicated, was of the highest importance and seemingly impossible to fully realize. The markings for phrasing can often not be fully achieved, as many of the chords span the reach of a tenth.

Dynamics often have to be "bridged" for effect.

Because of my own struggles, I feel that I understand the piece better than I'd wish to. I don't believe it's possible to "get this exactly," as it really wants and needs an orchestra.

There are several photos of Montague Spinney attached below, as well as some of Selwyn College Chapel and of Lichfield Cathedral.