Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists Volume 1 Advent and Christmas

As is always the case with collections of music, there are always some pieces that are "hit" and others that are "miss." There are enough worthwhile pieces in this collection to make it worth your time and money (in my opinion). This is for the medium to advanced organist (I have an MM in organ performance and feel right at home). The type-setting is exquisite and same throughout (I absolutely detest when collections are just scans of random publishers' settings of music and nothing matches!) and this was truly conceived and published as a unified whole. Particular pieces to pay attention to include: Aria [Bristol] by Malcom Archer, Cantilena [Mendelssohn] by James Biery, Choral Prelude [Merton] by David Thorne (my personal favorite; this little trio could have been written by Buxtehude, Bohm or Bach themselves! it is exquisite!), Reflection [Mueller] David Schelat, and Postlude [Winchester New] by Christopher Tambling. My only request would be that Oxford starts publishing a version of these books with laminated covers and spiral binding. I always take these books to have them spiral bound and laminated as they last so much longer. Extra expense but very worth it in the long-run. A large publishing company could easily do such a thing, although I suppose the cost would put some off.

This album has a nice selection of pieces for most competent parish organists. There are some stand out pieces by the likes of David Blackwell and Alan Bullard, whilst pieces by Rebecca Groom te Velte are more complex and difficult which can result in the hymn subject matter getting swamped or lost in the background. Would recommend to all church organists but it would be nice if publishers could include spiral binding with these books as they refuse to stay open on the stand.

Great range of pieces of mid to more more technical stuff. All styles catered for. Modern hymn settings. Very effective selection.

Great music easily used in any appropriate service.

Some excellent pieces in here.

Okay need the next 2 levels upToo easy