News & Views Friday, May 03, 2024

Celebrating the 130th Birthday of HERBERT HOWELLS Monday, November 21, 2022

recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist

Herbert Norman Howells CH (1892-1983) was an English composer, organist, and teacher, most famous for his large output of Anglican church music. He was the youngest of six children born to Oliver and Elizabeth Howells. His father was an amateur organist, and Herbert himself showed early musical promise. He studied first with Herbert Brewer at Gloucester Cathedral, as an articled pupil alongside Ivor Novello and Ivor Gurney, the celebrated English song-writer and poet, with whom he became great friends. Later he studied at the Royal College of Music under C.V. Stanford, Hubert Parry and Charles Wood.

Three Psalm Preludes for Organ Set 1 by Herbert Howells

Three Psalm Preludes for Organ Set 2 by Herbert Howells
Herbert Howells ceased using opus numbers at about Op. 40, but each of the three Psalm-Preludes making up his second set is dated. Published in 1940, they were first performed as a set by William O. Minay at a recital for the Organ Music Society given in Christ Church, Woburn Square, in March 1939.

Six Pieces for Organ by Herbert Howells
Six pieces for organ, first published in 1953.

Six Short Pieces for Organ by Herbert Howells
Six short pieces edited by Robin Wells.

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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.

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