Howells - Master Tallis's Testament (with score)

Master Tallis's Testament, No. 3 of the Six Pieces for Organ by Herbert Howells, performed by Thomas Trotter. Howells was one of the greatest of the English Romantic church composers; his many settings of the canticles are performed and recorded on a regular basis, and his influence can be seen in virtually all subsequent English and American sacred music. This work, one of his more performed organ pieces, shows Howells treating the organ very orchestrally, with solos across both the hands and feet (with Thomas Trotter showcasing a wide variety of colours). As can be seen, the method of indicating registration is perhaps the best possible for the typical English Romantic organ: specific enough to get the desired effects, while also being vague enough to allow flexibility for different organs (especially in regard to dynamics, with natural written-in breathing spaces so that more stops can be added for a more general crescendo). The pedals solo in particular shows how they don't necessarily need to always be relegated to the bass line.