Sursum corda

John Ireland (1879-1962) wrote only a small number of works for the organ, but his life centered around the instrument, more than might be imagined from the modest output for the instrument.

As a student at the Royal College of Music he was a student of Charles V. Stanford, and the organ was Ireland's second study. He took lessons from Sir Walter Parratt (later Organist of St. George's, Windsor), and spent several years as his teacher's assistant at Holy Trinity, Sloane Street.

Ireland later served as organist of St. Luke's, Chelsea, and was devoted to the Anglo-Catholic ritual there.

As a composer, he was active in many formats, and his organ music for the most part dates from the early part of his career. His last compostion was the "Mediatation on John Keble's Rogationtide Hymn," and dates from 1958.

His liturgical works include the famous anthem, "Greater love hath no man, as well as the Communion Service in C, and the Morning and Evening Service in F.

"The Holy Boy," is a famous work, and was transcribed/arranged by Ireland for several formats, including a lovely organ arrangement.

"Sursum corda" (Lift up your hearts) was published by Novello in 1911, and is dedicated to "Sir Walter Parratt, MVO."

It is a romantic utterance that uses the Swell Diapason as accompaniment to the 8' Flute on the Great, and the 8' Clarinet on the Solo.

I played this in the "classic English manner," sticking to the composer's registrations, and not as I might "play it in a service"!

Meaning - no Swell strings... ;-)