Dear SMM Community,
 

The next part of my online organ recital is here, and I hope that you enjoy it. I offer up these musical meditations as part of our parish efforts to find ways to keep you connected at this time. Recorded on my house organ, the instrument is a musical facsimile of the great 'Father' Willis organ at Salisbury Cathedral.

Today, I present Engelbert Humperdinck’s Abendsegen.


Engelbert Humperdinck’s (1854-1921) Abendsegen (Evening prayer) comes from act 2, scene 2 of his opera Hänsel und Gretel, and was transcribed for the organ by Edwin Lemare. In the forest, the Sandman appears to comfort Hänsel and Gretel, and to put them to sleep. He drops sand into their eyes, and as he departs, they struggle to keep their eyes open. Gretel reminds Hänsel to say their evening prayers, and they fall asleep.



With best wishes,
Andrew Adair
Director of Music