Albert W Ketèlbey (1875-1959) was an English composer whose
early music won the praise of Elgar and gained first place over Holst. From
ages 16 to 20, he was a church organist as well as a piano soloist. After
1912, Ketèlbey became a music editor for Chappell and music director
of the Columbia Gramophone Co. This piece was one of many short tone
poems with exotic titles (
In a Monastery Garden,
In
the Mystic Land of Egypt,
In a Chinese Temple Garden) that he composed with elaborate orchestrations
over the next 15 years. His positions helped to get these atmospheric pieces
published and recorded. Theatre organists such as Reginald Foort, Reginald
Dixon, and Quentin Maclean have performed and recorded them. If you want evocative
music to play that will appeal to the senses, this is it! Many Pops Orchestra
fans will recognize it, and so will some cartoon fanciers.
This music was transcribed for the theatre organ and includes use of traps
such as tom tom, kettle drum, cymbal, xylophone, and more. Please read
about the arranger,
Frank
Matthew
(the “s” is a misprint). This is a true
theatre organ arrangement, and it uses the terminology of that instrument.
I feel sure that a performer could adapt sounds from a church or concert
organ to work for this delightful arrangement but I'd recommend bringing
in a percussionist! The music is moderately easy and a few quick runs are
usually simple scales.
