Hugh Ockenden - Music Of Rev W J Foxell - Soliloquies (CD)

The Rev. William James Foxell was born in London in 1857. He was headmaster of Amersham Grammar School (where there is still a Foxell House) from 1883-86. He wrote "I never had a lesson in music, obtaining my knowledge of the subject, unaided, from [Remeau's] "Treatise on Harmony"." Foxell completed a phD in Musical Appreciation at London University and wrote a Novello guide on the same subject in 1923. He also wrote a number of religious texts, hymns and songs for the Boy's Own Paper. As Chaplain Of Trinity College Of Music In 1927, he lectured on 'Music and Beauty'. His compositions date from 1882 to 1932 with many being written during the First World War. He died in 1933. The surviving manuscripts, largely unpublished, were recorded in 2012 - 14. Many of these recordings can be heard in this CD. William James Foxell's great ancestor, Peter Foxell, is the man who has dedicated his time in collecting and compiling this great musicians work with the aim for his ancestors music to be more widely known and appreciated. As the whole project originates in the Kent area, the boxset has generated a lot of hype in and around Kent. Due to the story behind this music Keith C Thomas and Peter Foxell will be securing interviews on BBC South East and Meridian News. The Kent messenger is also very interested in running a story on this box album that highlights some of the musical history of Kent. Prestige Elite Records Limited is now also based in Kent, as are Peter Foxell and Keith C. Thomas.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Couer Joyeux
2. Troubles Coming ; Going
3. On Receiving a Letter From a Friend
4. L'apres midi d'un enfant
5. Soliloquy 1
6. Soliloquy 2
7. Soliloquy 3
8. Soliloquy 4
9. Soliloquy 5
10. Soliloquy 6
11. Soliloquy 7
12. Presto
13. An Eccentricity
14. Fughetta
15. XXXIV (Husband ; Wife; a Friendly Altercation)
16. XXXVII
17. The Oil of Joy for Mourning
18. Graceful Dance
19. No Great Matter
20. May Still Seems Love to Me Through Loves??? Face Alter???d New
21. Ballet Music From Lucinda
22. No. 58
23. Prelude in 8
24. XXXVI
25. The Game ; the Candle
26. No. 94
27. Allegro Non Troppo in D
28. XXIV
29. Andante Con Moto in C Minor
30. Allegretto
31. There's Rosemary That's for Remembrance
32. Funf Klein Klavierstuke (A Criticism of Atonalism)
33. No 93
34. The Happy Ending