Voluntary No. 5 in G Major

William Walond (born Oxford, baptized 16 July 1719 – died Oxford, buried 21 August 1768) was an English composer and organist.

After four years as Assistant Organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, Walond graduated from Christ Church, Oxford in 1757. His setting of Alexander Pope's "Ode on St Cecilia's Day" had served as his exercise.

He published two sets of voluntaries for the organ or harpsichord (op. 1, c. 1752 and op. 2, 1758) and the anthem "Not unto us, O Lord."

Of his fourteen children, his eldest son William Walond Jr. (c. 1750-1836) became the last 'Organist' of Chichester Cathedral, before the post was merged with 'Master of the Choristers' in 1801.

Many of the "voluntaries" of this period have similarities between them, but these by Walond are particularly attractive.

The fifth one in G major returns to the normal format of the Cornet Voluntary. The opening "Grave" is followed by a more extended cornet "Allegro" section with echoes.

I don't usually equate the Salisbury Willis with the "best" sounds for these pieces, so, I thought I would experiment to see if I could get good results as well as some variety.

The opening prelude is played upon the Choir Diapasons 8'. The quick section is played upon a derived Cornet on the Choir. In this case the Cornet is only slightly different than the sounds heard in the cornet of the 1st Voluntary. The echo is played upon the Solo Clarinet coupled to Swell flutes 8' & 4', attempting to imitate a Cremona, or something similar. The "bass" is played upon the Second Diapason of the Great.

I did not use the indicated manuals for the last few notes, as changing the "solo" to the Great Diapason was not at all effective.

I was not able to find an image of William Walond, but I did attach several photos of the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, where Walond was assistant organist.

Feel free to contact me by Direct Message for a copy of the score.

The large-scale Voluntary 6 coming tomorrow.