This gorgeous piece by Graham Twist presents the great Passiontide hymn tune on reed tone underpinned by beautiful harmonies on flutes. I've coupled two of the Choir flutes to the Great Clarabella Flute, all with a deliciously slow tremulant, which I think works well for this piece.
John Ireland famously took just 15 minutes in 1918 to compose the hymn tune 'Love Unknown', sketching it out on the back of a lunch menu - hence the thumbnail. It has to be one of the most beautiful hymn tunes ever written, springing from that very special period of British music in the early part of the Twentieth Century which spawned so much amazing music from such composers as Vaughan Williams, Holst and Parry.
Although the words of the hymn had been written way back in 1664, the hymn became popular only after Ireland's wonderful tune was matched with it. You can hear the hymn sung here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMart4wXsI0
Played by Paul Broadhurst on the vintage "Father" Henry Willis organ of Christ Church, Birkenhead, UK.
Recorded 17 March 2023
Thumbnail: A sketch of John Ireland in a recreation of those productive few minutes in 1918
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