Processional (William Mathias)

Mathias was born in Whitland, Carmarthenshire. A child prodigy, he started playing the piano at the age of three and began composing at the age of five. He was educated at Aberystwyth University, and then the Royal Academy of Music under Lennox Berkeley, where he was elected a fellow in 1965. In 1968, he was awarded the Bax Society Prize of the Harriet Cohen International Music Award. He was professor of music and head of department in the University of Wales, Bangor, from 1970 until 1988.
His compositions include large scale works, including an opera, The Servants (1980), three symphonies and three piano concertos. Much of his music was written for the Anglican choral tradition, most famously the anthem Let the people praise Thee, O God written for the July 1981 royal wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
This piece, Processional, was written in 1964. Mathias uses a characteristic harmonic style of consecutive intervals, as typified by the opening fanfare of fifths on the fiery Swell Trumpet, and the ominous fourths on the enclosed reeds in the middle section. To conclude, the Ubertuba proclaims a series of major thirds in its own closing fanfare. I hope you enjoy it!

[@sandraclifford4134]

This was played as our wedding recessional - a wonderful professional into our new lives

[@paulchappelhymns]

Love i! I miss playing this piece terribly since I've had to stop playing. Thank you!

[@hughpenny]

It's the speed he's marked it! Well done!

[@Mordent9]

Lovely Hauptwerk (?) setup and well played if a bit fast for my taste.

[@paulfox1210]

Heard this piece played at lunchtime today at the RFH by David Thomas and was blown away. I'm not a connoisseur of classical music but this music reminds me of the late great Keith Emerson ( Nice & ELP ) and the way he played. Great music and beautifully played here.

[@ubertuba]

Paul Fox Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed the recital at the RFH and inspired enough by the Matthias to search on UA-cam, and for leaving your comments.

[@robertbairdmusic]

Beautiful!

[@MrMjp58]

Only just discovered his music [after a visit to St Asaph]. It looks like I'll be busy exploring his oevre ASAP. What an interesting composer.

[@ubertuba]

MrMjp58 I only know a few of his organ and choral pieces, but what I know I really like. Processional is within my capability but the others seem a bit more challenging! Glad you liked the recording anyway.

[@taylorharvey9669]

Wonderful playing of this superb work by Mathias....organ sounds GREAT!!!

[@ubertuba]

Taylor Harvey thanks!

[@zaneclone]

What a glorious sounding organ... aided by you're fine playing... ! Some high-tech gear around that organ also..! :)

[@ubertuba]

Thanks Simon!

[@jismo7]

Superb playing and I love your console. Very similar to mine (see pic).

[@ubertuba]

Thanks! I share the console with a friend, but have since moved further away plus UK COVID restrictions means that it’s been some time since I’ve played it. Hopefully I’ll get back to playing and recording later this year.

[@ubertuba]

Important bit of missing info: the console is at his house!

[@rmw1246]

Well played but just a little too fast for my taste. The title is Processional, not Canter!

[@claudeballiot6688]

great!!!wow!!is it possible to get the score?thank you

[@ubertuba]

claude balliot the score is published by Oxford University Press entitled William Mathias Organ Album

[@Mordent9]

I've got it in an Oxford University Press compilation, William Mathias ORGAN ALBUM 1986 edition. Not sure if it's still in print.