Herbert Howells: A Sailor Tune for piano

Every so often I listen to Herbert Howells’s most massive composition – the Missa Sabrinensis (1956). This is a complex work that presents the players and singers with ‘prodigious difficulties.’ Yet recently, I was listening to A Sailor Tune for the piano. It certainly offered little in the way of formidable technical challenges or demanded concentration from the listener. Yet in its own way it epitomised the invention and the craftsmanship of the composer.

Although, typically, Howells is not seen as being a composer for piano, there are many pieces to his credit. His major works are the Lamberts and Howells Clavichord – which are often played on the piano. But there is much excellent keyboard music – including the Rhapsody, a Sonatina and Gadabout. Howells did write several miniatures which are suitable for teaching purposes or for the use of amateurs. The most significant of these are the Sarum Sketches, the attractive Country Pageant, and the Little Book of Dances. All these offer interesting, well-constructed numbers that do not wear their pedagogical nature.

A Sailor Tune was written shortly after the Dances in 1930 at a time when Howells was spending more time as a teacher than composer. Like many pieces that would seem to be simple, it does have nuances that lie in wait for the unwary performer. This is especially true of the cross rhythms which occur from time to time. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the hands keep out of each other’s way as the ‘hornpipe’ progresses. It is presented in G major and is signed to be played ‘brisk and clear cut.’ There must be a strong sense of rhythm throughout. Although it is Grade 4, the overall impression of this bright piece is that it is more impressive than its grading may suggest.

Certainly, the A Sailor Tune was quite popular when it was reviewed. The Music & Letters reviewer suggested that it was “a well written short piece, a nice sense of humour.” Another suggested that it was “delightful, not easy, but very much worth working at and will wear well in the meantime.”

Of interest is that it was originally conceived as Sayler’s Tune which is inscribed on the manuscript. This would appear to be less of an archaic spelling as an eccentric one!

The work was published by J.B. Cramer in 1930. Listen to Matthew Schellhorn playing A Sailor Tune on YouTube, here. It was issued on Naxos 8.571383 (2022).