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Brilliant Classics

Stanley: Voluntaries, Op. 5, 6 & 7

$12.99

Details

Composer
John Stanley
Artist
Pietro delle Chiaie
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Nov 21, 2025
Catalog #
BRI97230
UPC
5028421972305

About

John Stanley was born in London on 17 January 1712. A precocious musician, by the age of nine he was playing the organ (probably as an occasional deputy) at All Hallows, Bread Street. When the titular organist there - the composer and harpsichordist William Babell, a former pupil of Handel - died on 23 September 1723, an eleven year-old Stanley was appointed in his place. At the age of 14 he was chosen as organist at St. Andrew's, Holborn and at the age of 17 became the youngest person ever to obtain the BMus degree from Oxford University. In 1734 he was appointed organist to the Society of the Inner Temple, a position he held until his death. As a musician whose primary responsibilities were liturgical, John Stanley was required to accompany the service music every Sunday, and also to improvise voluntaries at various points in the service. A voluntary was a piece improvised extemporaneously and, prior to the 19th century, in the Church of England there were two principal forms of voluntary. These were a First Voluntary - generally an introduction and a movement or two for solo stops such as the trumpet or cornet - placed between the psalms and the first lesson at Morning and Evening Prayer, and a Second Voluntary - generally an introduction and fugue - at the end of the service. John Stanley's primary responsibility in his sixty-three years as organist at these various churches, was to improvise a voluntary before the first lesson (comprising an introduction and an additional movement or two for the solo stops) and an introduction and fugue at the end of the service. Stanley's improvisations were reportedly so fine that on Sundays none other than Handel himself, who attended St. George's, Hanover Square, would sometimes leave church early and rush over to the Temple Church to hear Stanley's final voluntary. Most voluntaries were never written down as compositions, and very few voluntaries for organ were published in England before Stanley's Op.5 of 1748. But written-out voluntaries did serve two main purposes: first, they were often used for recital purposes, as for example when organists like Stanley played at the dedication of a new instrument; second, they were widely used as exercises for apprentices or organ students, or for church organists new to their roles. Some of the manuscript collections produced for this purpose have survived. One important collection of this kind is the so-called Southgate Manuscript, a collection of 64 voluntaries in the library of the Royal College of Organists in London. This seems to have been compiled around the year 1750 in order to instruct choristers of the Chapel Royal who were learning the organ. This manuscript contains several of the early organ works of John Stanley. - Recorded June 2024 in Rocca Massima, Italy - Booklet in English contains liner notes by Romeo Ciuffa, organ specification with stop list and a profile of the organist - John Stanley (1712-1786) was a prominent English composer, organist, and violinist of the 18th century. Blinded in an accident at the age of two, Stanley displayed prodigious musical talent from an early age. He studied under Maurice Greene and, by age 17, was appointed organist at All Hallows, Bread Street. He later held prestigious posts at the Temple Church and the Chapel Royal, where he succeeded William Boyce as Master of the King's Band of Musicians. - Among Stanley's most celebrated works are his three volumes of Organ Voluntaries, Op.5 through Op.7, published between 1748 and 1754. These voluntaries reflect both the elegance of the late Baroque style and a growing Classical influence. They were designed for performance during Anglican church services, typically as preludes, interludes, or postludes. The voluntaries are structured in multiple short movements and frequently feature contrasting textures, such as lyrical slow introductions followed by lively fugues or trumpet tunes. Stanley made imaginative use of the organ's stop combinations, often specifying solos for trumpet, cornet, or flute stops, adding variety and color. - Played by Pietro Delle Chiaie at the Inzoli-Bonizzi organ of the St Michael Archangel Church, Rocca Massima, Italy. He made a successful recording of the complete organ music by Carl Czerny for Brilliant Classics.

Tracklist 66 tracks

  1. 1 I. Siciliano 01:40
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Siciliano
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  2. 2 II. Andante 04:25
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    04:25
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  3. 3 I. Andante 01:50
    Track
    3
    Title
    I. Andante
    Duration
    01:50
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  4. 4 II. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro 03:12
    Track
    4
    Title
    II. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  5. 5 I. Adagio 01:29
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:29
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  6. 6 II. Allegro 03:44
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:44
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  7. 7 I. Adagio 01:16
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  8. 8 II. Andante 03:37
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  9. 9 I. Adagio 02:02
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    02:02
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  10. 10 II. Andante largo 01:38
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Andante largo
    Duration
    01:38
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  11. 11 III. Moderaro 04:20
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. Moderaro
    Duration
    04:20
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  12. 12 I. Adagio 01:06
    Track
    12
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:06
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  13. 13 II. Andante 01:31
    Track
    13
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  14. 14 III. Adagio 01:19
    Track
    14
    Title
    III. Adagio
    Duration
    01:19
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  15. 15 IV. Allegro moderato 02:37
    Track
    15
    Title
    IV. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    02:37
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  16. 16 I. Prelude: Largo 01:52
    Track
    16
    Title
    I. Prelude: Largo
    Duration
    01:52
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  17. 17 II. Fugue: Vivace 02:09
    Track
    17
    Title
    II. Fugue: Vivace
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  18. 18 I. Prelude: Largo 01:21
    Track
    18
    Title
    I. Prelude: Largo
    Duration
    01:21
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  19. 19 II. Fugue: Vivace 02:03
    Track
    19
    Title
    II. Fugue: Vivace
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  20. 20 I. Prelude: Adagio 01:38
    Track
    20
    Title
    I. Prelude: Adagio
    Duration
    01:38
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  21. 21 II. Fugue: Andante 02:45
    Track
    21
    Title
    II. Fugue: Andante
    Duration
    02:45
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  22. 22 I. Prelude: Grave 01:32
    Track
    22
    Title
    I. Prelude: Grave
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  23. 23 II. Fugue: Andante 04:14
    Track
    23
    Title
    II. Fugue: Andante
    Duration
    04:14
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  24. 24 I. Adagio 01:40
    Track
    24
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  25. 25 II. Andante 02:25
    Track
    25
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    02:25
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  26. 26 III. Slow 01:12
    Track
    26
    Title
    III. Slow
    Duration
    01:12
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  27. 27 IV. Allegro 03:08
    Track
    27
    Title
    IV. Allegro
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  28. 28 I. Slow 02:08
    Track
    28
    Title
    I. Slow
    Duration
    02:08
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  29. 29 II. Allegro 02:29
    Track
    29
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    02:29
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  30. 30 I. Adagio 01:52
    Track
    30
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:52
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  31. 31 II. Allegro 03:45
    Track
    31
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:45
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  32. 32 I. Adagio 01:22
    Track
    32
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  33. 33 II. Allegro 03:33
    Track
    33
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:33
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  34. 34 I. Slow 02:08
    Track
    34
    Title
    I. Slow
    Duration
    02:08
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  35. 35 II. Allegro 03:08
    Track
    35
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  36. 36 I. Adagio 01:35
    Track
    36
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  37. 37 II. Allegro moderato 03:12
    Track
    37
    Title
    II. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    03:12
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  38. 38 I. Adagio 01:25
    Track
    38
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:25
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  39. 39 II. Allegro 02:40
    Track
    39
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  40. 40 I. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro 02:25
    Track
    40
    Title
    I. Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
    Duration
    02:25
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  41. 41 II. Adagio 01:56
    Track
    41
    Title
    II. Adagio
    Duration
    01:56
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  42. 42 III. Fugue: Allegro 03:38
    Track
    42
    Title
    III. Fugue: Allegro
    Duration
    03:38
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  43. 43 I. Largo - Adagio 02:06
    Track
    43
    Title
    I. Largo - Adagio
    Duration
    02:06
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  44. 44 II. Fugue: Allegro 03:28
    Track
    44
    Title
    II. Fugue: Allegro
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  45. 45 I. Prelude: Adagio 01:45
    Track
    45
    Title
    I. Prelude: Adagio
    Duration
    01:45
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  46. 46 II. Fugue: Allegro 03:22
    Track
    46
    Title
    II. Fugue: Allegro
    Duration
    03:22
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  47. 47 I. Adagio 02:34
    Track
    47
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    02:34
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  48. 48 II. Allegro 03:24
    Track
    48
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  49. 49 I. Adagio 01:32
    Track
    49
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  50. 50 II. — 02:40
    Track
    50
    Title
    II. —
    Duration
    02:40
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  51. 51 I. Adagio 01:34
    Track
    51
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    01:34
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  52. 52 II. Allegro 03:36
    Track
    52
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    03:36
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  53. 53 I. Adagio 02:42
    Track
    53
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    02:42
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  54. 54 II. Andante 06:20
    Track
    54
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    06:20
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  55. 55 I. Adagio 02:10
    Track
    55
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  56. 56 II. Vivace 02:26
    Track
    56
    Title
    II. Vivace
    Duration
    02:26
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  57. 57 I. Andante 01:13
    Track
    57
    Title
    I. Andante
    Duration
    01:13
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  58. 58 II. Vivace 02:46
    Track
    58
    Title
    II. Vivace
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  59. 59 I. Adagio 02:14
    Track
    59
    Title
    I. Adagio
    Duration
    02:14
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  60. 60 II. Allegro 02:18
    Track
    60
    Title
    II. Allegro
    Duration
    02:18
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  61. 61 I. Andante staccato - Allegro 03:30
    Track
    61
    Title
    I. Andante staccato - Allegro
    Duration
    03:30
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  62. 62 II. Fugue: Vivace 03:01
    Track
    62
    Title
    II. Fugue: Vivace
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  63. 63 I. Largo staccato 01:01
    Track
    63
    Title
    I. Largo staccato
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  64. 64 II. Fugue: Adagio - Vivace 02:43
    Track
    64
    Title
    II. Fugue: Adagio - Vivace
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  65. 65 I. Prelude: Largo staccato 01:05
    Track
    65
    Title
    I. Prelude: Largo staccato
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie
  66. 66 II. Fugue: Vivace 02:43
    Track
    66
    Title
    II. Fugue: Vivace
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    John Stanley
    Performer
    Pietro Delle Chiaie