Concert on 7th June 2015

Robert Gower (St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham)

Toccata on Aberystwyth: David Bednall (b. 1979)
from the Clavierübung part 3: J S Bach (1685-1750)
Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669
Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671
Sonata no. 2 in C: Felix Mendelssohn (1809-47)
The immovable do: Percy Grainger (1882-1961)

Interval

March from Prelude to Richard III: William Walton (1902-83)
Spring Song: Alfred Hollins (1865-1942)
Two pieces in tribute to Alan Spedding:
Echo: Francis Jackson (b. 1917)
Cantilena: Andrew Carter (b. 1939)
Plymouth Suite: Percy Whitlock (1903-46)


Robert Gower held scholarships at the Royal School of Church Music and Lincoln College, Oxford before a teaching career which led successively from St Paul’s School to Radley College, where he was Precentor (Director of Music) for fourteen years and then onwards to Glenalmond College, where he served similarly – also being Housemaster of a boys’ boarding house and latterly working as Senior Tutor, with responsibility for stimulating intellectual challenge amongst the most academically able pupils.   Based in Rutland since retirement in 2012, Robert was appointed as Organist of St Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham in 2014.

Robert is Chairman of the Gerald Finzi and Percy Whitlock charitable trusts and examines for the ABRSM and the Royal College of Organists.  His publications include composer organ albums for Bliss, Finzi and Walton, an edition of John Ireland’s organ music and OUP anthologies of Ceremonial, Christmas and Lent/Easter repertoire for organ, together with transcriptions for organ of orchestral accompaniments to British choral works, some of which are scheduled for issue this year by Boosey & Hawkes.  As a recitalist, he is active throughout the UK.

Robert enjoys hymnody, contributing original tunes and arrangements (most recently in the 2013 edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern and in the Oxford Book of Descants), travel writing, art and architecture and is devoted to his trio of border terriers.