Carol Williams plays the
historic "Father" Willis organ
Blenheim Palace, the home of the 11th
Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace in 1874 of the late Sir Winston
Churchill, is one of England's most prestigious heritage sites.
A magnificent four-manual organ was
installed by the world-famous "Father" Willis in the spring of 1891 in
the Long Library of the Palace and the programme for the opening
concert on 18 May
1891 has been preserved in the Palace archives. It includes a
"Fantasia" composed by Édouard Silas "purposely for the opening
of the organ" and also the "Lost Chord" which was accompanied by the
composer Sir Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame) who also
accompanied "O for the Wings of a Dove". Carol's CD, recorded in August
1999, commemorates the opening concert by including these three
compositions.
Importantly, it also pays tribute to
Churchill with compositions that focus attention on his unique position
in the history of the United Kingdom with: "England's Glory"; "Jupiter
Theme" (often
sung to the words "I vow to thee, my country"); "In the News"; Sir
William
Walton's Prelude "The Spitfire"; and, finally, Sir Hubert Parry's
ever-popular
"Jerusalem". There are eleven other tracks ranging from the "Fanfare"
by Lemmens through Purcell's "Trumpet Tune and Air" to Percy Fletcher's
"Festival Toccata".
Interestingly, Winston Churchill had
strong links with the USA stemming from the
fact that he was the elder of the two sons of Lord Randolph Churchill
and Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Churchill) who was one of the
daughters of the American financier and newspaper owner Leonard Jerome
from Brooklyn and his wife Clara.
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