"The Toccata (1924) is an energetic and spirited work that explores a variety of rhythmical and wayward key-changes which are interpolated onto a largely arpeggiated melody. It is a small set of variations on the Northumbrian pipe tune ‘Newburn Lads’. Imogen Holst has suggested that the composer considered that he had ‘flattered the old man with a worn-out hurdy-gurdy who used to play ‘Newburn Lads’ in Cheltenham in 1879.’ One wonders if Holst truly was impressed by this rustic performance when he was only five years old. The inspiration is more likely to have derived from his friendship with the composer, musicologist and pedagogue, W. G. Whittaker (1876-1944), who published a collection of Countrie Ballads, Songs and Pipe-Tunes in 1922. This volume featured ‘Newburn Lads’. The Toccata was dedicated to ‘Adine O’Neill and her pupils’. O’Neill (née Ruckert, 1875-1947) was a celebrated pianist and music teacher. In 1899 she had [sic] married the composer Norman O’Neill."

—John France


Date: 1924
Catalogue: Holst 153
Dedicatees: Adine O'Neill and her pupils

Performer: David Rubinstein on piano


Note: This channel does not own the score or audio, and they are only used for non-commercial purposes. This video is a reupload from Thomas van Dun, who withdrew all score videos of pieces not composed by himself.

Original Uploader’s Channel: [ Ссылка ]

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