William Mathias - like? dislike?
  • MBWMBW
    Posts: 175
    Looking for a selection for another thread I came across an old favorite: Sir Christemas by the Welshman William Mathias (1934-1992). His music for choir and organ was frequently performed in the 80's and 90's, but I get the feeling that some of the bloom has gone off this particular rose.

    My opinion is that his work could be very good, but sometimes became formulaic. If you like his music, what is your number one Mathias work. If you don't like his work, maybe one of these pieces will prompt a reconsideration.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxvLwsbQYy4
    Thanked by 3Spriggo CHGiffen igneus
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,415
    Definitely like!
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Spriggo
    Posts: 122
    Mathias is fun to sing (and play!). My favorite:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKKEI1KwXd4
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen MBW eft94530
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,394
    This organ piece:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHrqFjfBoQ
    Thanked by 2Spriggo MBW
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    Like!
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    Very much like. (Though I wouldn't use Sir Christemas during liturgy!)
    "Let the people praise Thee, O God" is a particular favorite. (Look for the recording of St. Paul's under John Scott.)
  • JL
    Posts: 171
    His unison Gloria in the 1982 (Episcopal) Hymnal is excellent. If someone were to outfit it with the current translation, I would recommend it highly for congregational singing.
    Thanked by 3Spriggo M. Jackson Osborn BruceL
  • BruceL
    Posts: 1,072
    Here here to the two comments above. "Let the people praise thee" is also possible to play and conduct, if not an idea situation.

    The Gloria was one I used pre-2010 for almost all of ordinary time. It was very exciting and also kept almost all parts of the musical/liturgical spectrum relatively happy. A good measure of quality music.
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    Diane Bish, what a great deal she has done for music.
    i remember attending one of those Coral Ridge music workshops and playing on that organ in a masterclass with her. I played the St. Anne prelude. After i got through it, there was a lengthy pause, and she said " I can't believe that Bach played it like that".
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,415
    ...like that".

    Was she smiling or frowning?

    Um, isn't she the one who shamelessly champions organ simulacra?
    Thanked by 1MichaelDickson
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    Um frowning...I should also add that she was wearing one of her signature outfits: A blue blouse and bright red pants with a bright yellow, green and white jacket with gold organ shoes.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    Bish gets a lot of flack from organists. I have even heard her called the queen of the crescendo pedal. But...she is out there promoting the instrument and encouraging interest among non-organists for the organ. Not bad things, at all. Where she promotes those Allen/pipe hybrids are in places that might trash the pipe part of the instrument, left to their own devices. As far as playing Bach, my organ professor once said, "You are old enough to play Bach the way you want." True, since no one really knows how Bach played Bach.
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,415
    ...and gold organ shoes

    Well, then - it looks like we have a re-incarnation of Virgil Fox.

    ...no one really knows...

    Wanda Landowska knew!
    She always said
    'you play Bach your way
    and I will play Bach his way'.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,980
    Wanda Landowska knew!
    She always said
    'you play Bach your way
    and I will play Bach his way.


    She didn't know, either. She wasn't THAT old!

    Well, then - it looks like we have a re-incarnation of Virgil Fox.


    Let the sequins fly,... LOL
    Thanked by 1M. Jackson Osborn
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