Herbert Whitton SumsionCBE (14 January 1899 – 11 August 1995) was an English musician who was organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1928 to 1967. Through his leadership role with the Three Choirs Festival, Sumsion maintained close associations with major figures in England's 20th-century musical renaissance, including Edward Elgar, Herbert Howells, Gerald Finzi, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Although Sumsion is known primarily as a cathedral musician, his professional career spanned more than 60 years and encompassed composing, conducting, performing, accompanying, and teaching. His compositions include works for choir and organ, as well as lesser-known chamber and orchestral works.
The Sonata in G major (HWV 358) was composed (c. 1707-10) by George Frideric Handel, for an unspecified instrument and keyboard (harpsichord). The work is also referred to as HHA iv/18,3. (There is no HG designation for the work.)
For an unknown reason, Handel did not indicate the instrumentation or the tempo markings on the movements. In fact, the original manuscript does not even mention that it is a "Sonata". The tessitura is high for a violin, and the work does not fall below "g" (which is a whole octave above the violin's lowest note). For this reason (although the violin is the most likely instrument), the recorder is sometimes used for performance.
The work is referred to as one of the Fitzwilliam sonatas.
A typical performance of the work takes almost five minutes.
They that go down to the sea in ships - Herbert Sumsion
The Cathedral Choir
Raymond Nagem, Organ
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Join us for worship and music each Sunday at 11 am. For more info, visit stjohndivine.org.
published: 28 Jun 2021
Herbert Sumsion - Preces and Responses (score video)
Sung live by the Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, under the direction of Sarah MacDonald
published: 22 Oct 2023
Sumsion in G - with score
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis by Herbert Sumsion, in G - with scrolling score.
Listen out for the organ 'saying' ... HAVE A BANANA !!??
published: 02 Jun 2021
Herbert Sumsion - Magnificat in G (score video)
Sung by the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under the direction of George Guest
published: 27 Aug 2023
Sumsion in D Nunc Dimittis - Herbert Sumsion
published: 20 Oct 2014
Ceremonial March - Herbert Sumsion
A bit of British music, a solemn march.
published: 25 Aug 2015
Edward Taylor plays Ceremonial March by H. Sumsion
Edward Taylor plays Ceremonial March by Herbert Sumsion on the organ of Carlisle Cathedral
published: 09 May 2021
Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995): Magnificat in A
Roden Boys Choir
Rintje te Wies: conductor / Sietze de Vries: organ
published: 03 Sep 2010
Choral Prelude on Down Ampney - Herbert Sumsion
My heartfelt thanks to my friend and mentor Leigh Askew for introducing me to this beautiful piece.
Herbert Sumsion was an English composer and organist who was born in Gloucester in 1895. He was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral and later studied at the Royal College of Music in London. Sumsion was a prolific composer, writing works for choir, orchestra, and organ. His choral works are particularly well-known, and he was appointed Master of the Choristers at Gloucester Cathedral in 1929.
One of Sumsion's most beloved works is the Chorale Prelude on Down Ampney, written in 1932. This piece is a beautiful and majestic chorale prelude, featuring a soaring melody and lush harmonies. It is a perfect example of Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a beloved piece among organists. The pi...
published: 05 Jun 2023
Magnificat in D, Herbert Sumsion
Recorded during Psalmenvesper/Evensong on 9-6-2019 in the Martinikerk Groningen (NL)
The Cathedral Choir
Raymond Nagem, Organ
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Join us for worship and music each Sunday at 11 am. For more info, visit stjohndivine.org.
The Cathedral Choir
Raymond Nagem, Organ
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Join us for worship and music each Sunday at 11 am. For more info, visit stjohndivine.org.
The Cathedral Choir
Raymond Nagem, Organ
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Join us for worship and music each Sunday at 11 am. For more info, visit stjohndivine.org.
My heartfelt thanks to my friend and mentor Leigh Askew for introducing me to this beautiful piece.
Herbert Sumsion was an English composer and organist who wa...
My heartfelt thanks to my friend and mentor Leigh Askew for introducing me to this beautiful piece.
Herbert Sumsion was an English composer and organist who was born in Gloucester in 1895. He was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral and later studied at the Royal College of Music in London. Sumsion was a prolific composer, writing works for choir, orchestra, and organ. His choral works are particularly well-known, and he was appointed Master of the Choristers at Gloucester Cathedral in 1929.
One of Sumsion's most beloved works is the Chorale Prelude on Down Ampney, written in 1932. This piece is a beautiful and majestic chorale prelude, featuring a soaring melody and lush harmonies. It is a perfect example of Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a beloved piece among organists. The piece is a testament to Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a wonderful example of his mastery of the chorale prelude form.
While marked for a faster performance, I purposefully slowed the tempo , using it as a reflection piece during communion on Pentecost Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Soldier's Hill. I hope this performance gives you a moment of reflection in our busy world.
____________________
Performed on the Salisbury Cathedral sampleset by Milan Digital Audio, using the Hauptwerk VPO platform. Details of the sampleset can be found here: https://milandigitalaudio.com/1877-salisbury-cathedral-willis/
The organ console is a customised Wyvern of England Gloucester ST 30.
My heartfelt thanks to my friend and mentor Leigh Askew for introducing me to this beautiful piece.
Herbert Sumsion was an English composer and organist who was born in Gloucester in 1895. He was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral and later studied at the Royal College of Music in London. Sumsion was a prolific composer, writing works for choir, orchestra, and organ. His choral works are particularly well-known, and he was appointed Master of the Choristers at Gloucester Cathedral in 1929.
One of Sumsion's most beloved works is the Chorale Prelude on Down Ampney, written in 1932. This piece is a beautiful and majestic chorale prelude, featuring a soaring melody and lush harmonies. It is a perfect example of Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a beloved piece among organists. The piece is a testament to Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a wonderful example of his mastery of the chorale prelude form.
While marked for a faster performance, I purposefully slowed the tempo , using it as a reflection piece during communion on Pentecost Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Soldier's Hill. I hope this performance gives you a moment of reflection in our busy world.
____________________
Performed on the Salisbury Cathedral sampleset by Milan Digital Audio, using the Hauptwerk VPO platform. Details of the sampleset can be found here: https://milandigitalaudio.com/1877-salisbury-cathedral-willis/
The organ console is a customised Wyvern of England Gloucester ST 30.
The Cathedral Choir
Raymond Nagem, Organ
Kent Tritle, Conductor
Join us for worship and music each Sunday at 11 am. For more info, visit stjohndivine.org.
My heartfelt thanks to my friend and mentor Leigh Askew for introducing me to this beautiful piece.
Herbert Sumsion was an English composer and organist who was born in Gloucester in 1895. He was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral and later studied at the Royal College of Music in London. Sumsion was a prolific composer, writing works for choir, orchestra, and organ. His choral works are particularly well-known, and he was appointed Master of the Choristers at Gloucester Cathedral in 1929.
One of Sumsion's most beloved works is the Chorale Prelude on Down Ampney, written in 1932. This piece is a beautiful and majestic chorale prelude, featuring a soaring melody and lush harmonies. It is a perfect example of Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a beloved piece among organists. The piece is a testament to Sumsion's skill as a composer, and it is a wonderful example of his mastery of the chorale prelude form.
While marked for a faster performance, I purposefully slowed the tempo , using it as a reflection piece during communion on Pentecost Sunday at St. John the Evangelist Soldier's Hill. I hope this performance gives you a moment of reflection in our busy world.
____________________
Performed on the Salisbury Cathedral sampleset by Milan Digital Audio, using the Hauptwerk VPO platform. Details of the sampleset can be found here: https://milandigitalaudio.com/1877-salisbury-cathedral-willis/
The organ console is a customised Wyvern of England Gloucester ST 30.
Herbert Whitton SumsionCBE (14 January 1899 – 11 August 1995) was an English musician who was organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1928 to 1967. Through his leadership role with the Three Choirs Festival, Sumsion maintained close associations with major figures in England's 20th-century musical renaissance, including Edward Elgar, Herbert Howells, Gerald Finzi, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Although Sumsion is known primarily as a cathedral musician, his professional career spanned more than 60 years and encompassed composing, conducting, performing, accompanying, and teaching. His compositions include works for choir and organ, as well as lesser-known chamber and orchestral works.
Everyone here's in trouble The man with the megaphone Smoke and mirrors and crystal balls and red alerts and all because Of the king who hides behind the pawns I can see what's really going on I can see what's really going on Everyone here's a bubble Merrily floating on Manicured suburban lawns and patriotic country songs Pledge allegiance, sing along I can see what's really going on I can see what's really going on Everyone here's in trouble Angels abandon guard History is cyclical Crusaders and the biblical Light the torches bang the gongs I can see what's really going on I can see what's really going on Na na na na-na Na na na na-na Na na, na na Na na, na na Na na na na-na Na na na na-na Na na, na na