Five Short Chorale Preludes - Ethel Smyth

Written in c.1884 and published by Novello in 1913, these five 'short' chorale preludes were dedicated to Ethel Smyth's organ teacher Sir Walter Parratt. Novello's scores are available on IMSLP (link below). They use alto and tenor C clefs and a pedal compass that requires top F#. Collette Ripley (Vivace Press 2014) David Patrick (Fitzjohn 2017) and Michael Capon (Creative Commons 2019) have since edited the scores replacing the C clefs and offering an optional transposition of No.4 for pedal boards with no top F#.

These recordings were performed live by Robert Fielding , using the digitised set of Blackburn Cathedral's celebrated Walker organ by Llannerch Organs. The images and comments were compiled using the video software 'Shotcut'.

This organ provides a full range of delicate colours and fiery power that these fine pieces deserve. It is hoped that these important works become increasingly part of the organist's liturgical repertoire.

1. ‘Du, O schönes Weltgebäude’
(Thou O fair and wondrous earth)
2a. 'O Gott du frommer Gott' 4:28
( O God, you righteous God)
2b. Canon on 'O Gott du frommer Gott' 6:12
3. 'Schwing dich auf zu deinem Gott' 7:59
(Raise yourself up to your God)
4. 'Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag' 13:14
(Appeared is the glorious day)
5. Prelude & Fugue on 'O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid' 15:32 / 16:55
(O darkest woe, O heart's pain)

An informative and comprehensive D.Mus dissertation (Indiana, 2014), 'The Organ Music of Ethel Smyth, a Guide to its History and Performance Practice' by Sarah M. Moon is available for downloading at:
https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bi...

Novello 1913 Scores on IMSLP:
https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Smyth...

The main website for information about Ethel Smyth:
https://www.ethelsmyth.org
The site is dedicated to providing in-depth information about the great British composer Dame Ethel Smyth, and for celebrating her remarkable life and achievements.

Copies of David Patrick's 2017 edition is distributed by Banks Music Publications:
https://www.banksmusicpublications.co...

A copy of Smyth's only other published work, 'Organ Prelude on a Traditional Irish Air' is available as a digital pdf download from Boosey & Hawkes:
https://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Smyt...

Fans of Ethel Smyth might want to visit this fine performance video of her 'Song of Love':
   • Ethel Smyth - The Song of Love World Premier