English pageantry has a special place in art history, at once formal but compelling, depicting the jubilant side of military prowess. John Stanley’s wonderful "Trumpet Voluntary" was written for a solo organ demonstrating the trumpet stop. “Voluntaries” were meant to be played before and at the conclusion of church services, so called because organists were not actually paid to play outside of the services themselves. The piece matches the contemporaneous, larger-than-life painting of William Beechey’s "Master James Hatch" (1796) as he models noble military attire. Although Hatch was far too young to serve, his station groomed him for this appearance.

Artwork:

William Beechey

Master James Hatch, 1796

Oil on canvas, 73 x 52 1/2 in. (185.4 x 133.4 cm)

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Museum purchase by exchange, Mildred Anna Williams Collection, 1942.10

Photograph courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Composition: John Stanley, "Trumpet Tune" (ca. 1770)