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1. Hello Andreas!

   I was delighted recently to discover your charmingly sensitive interpretations of the three little gems of organ-music by Kate Boundy, and to read the results of your researches into the all-too-brief life of this most interesting composer.

   In my selection of repertoire as a working organist I like to celebrate anniversaries, and this year, of course, we have had the 150th anniversaries of the births not only of the international figures Nielsen and Sibelius, but also of four great British organist-composers: Herbert Brewer, Alfred Hollins, Edwin Lemare, and William Wolstenholme. I was therefore disturbed to discover that in this context I had, until now, overlooked Kate Boundy. However, I look forward to rectifying that omission, albeit belatedly, as soon as the Festive Season is over.

   Regarding your note on tempi, I find that in „The Village Organist“ there are considerable discrepancies between the tempo markings and the estimated timings, even taking into account the fact that the durations quoted are apparently all rounded to the nearest half minute, which can give a high percentage of error with durations as short as one or two minutes. I hope you might be interested in my following remarks on the subject.

   In the „Andante grazioso“ I reckon a 2’00 performance would require a tempo of 52 dotted crotchets per minute, which does seem quite appropriate, whereas the suggested tempo of 66 would take only about 1’35, which, as you say, changes the character of the piece quite dramatically! As for the unhelpful instruction „In flowing time“, how can time do anything other than flow (metaphorically, at least)? Incidentally, I notice that you say that this piece was published in 1894: my copy says „Copyright, 1897“. Do you have some information which contradicts that?

   Returning to the tempo problems… „Even Song“ would take nearer 2’45 than 2’00 if it were played at a tempo of 104 quavers per minute. But why would anyone wish to count it in quaver beats at all? 2’00 can be achieved comfortably (as in your own performance) with about 60 dotted crotchets per minute. As for „Molto moderato“, that seems to me to be a contradiction in terms! Again, my date differs from yours: I have „Copyright, 1898“ (not 1897).

   In the „Andante patetico“ I reckon the suggested tempo of 40 minims per minute would give a duration of 2’12 (almost exactly that of your own performance) rather than the 1’30 stated. No problem with the date here!

   In spite of these problems, I think you have chosen entirely appropriate tempi, with just the right amount of rubato, for your delightful performances. Thank you for the pleasure they have given me.

   Best wishes for the Festive Season and beyond.

   Kerr Jamieson.

   Duror of Appin,
   North Argyll,
   Scotland.

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