Tony’s arrangement of Amazing Grace is recognized within the world of church musicians, from the professionals who select and direct and play it, to the amateur choir members who enjoy singing it.
What makes it different from the many, many arrangements of Amazing Grace?
- It begins with Baritone solo
- It includes a Barbershop Quartet
- There is a Brass quintet
- A second hymn tune is embedded, in counterpoint
- There is a dramatic descant
- The “Ord chord” is embedded in final verse
Assistant Organist at the National Cathedral
Tony composed this over-the-top arrangement totally tongue-in-cheek. He was assistant organist at the National Cathedral in the early 1970s. A new priest requested the hymn, Amazing Grace, for his installation as precentor. Tony thought it was a bad idea. As he recalled, I was a 22 year old musical snob and I thought that the Appalachian tune was too simple for the Washington Cathedral. He playfully composed a “better” version for such a grand site, and he shared it with the priest, expecting him to see the humor of it. But instead, the priest absolutely loved the arrangement and so it was included in the liturgy (much to Tony’s amusement but also chagrin). This was in 1972 or 1973.
Tony left the National Cathedral in 1974 to serve as Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky. The popularity of his arrangement remained strong back in Washington. Significantly, the Furnivall Amazing Grace was included in the liturgy for the installation of Bishop John T. Walker, Bishop of Washington, in 1977.
Photo of Mr. Furnivall Courtesy of Washington National Cathedral Archives
Don Hinshaw Hears a Recording of Tony Furnivall’s Arrangement of Amazing Grace
Somehow, Don Hinshaw heard the recording of the Walker service. He tracked down Tony, asking Who publishes Amazing Grace? Tony replied, No one, it is in manuscript. Mr. Hinshaw responded I’m sending you a contract.
Hinshaw Music published Tony Furnivall’s arrangement of Amazing Grace in 1977-78. It sold well, Tony said: Don Hinshaw said it was the largest single piece, first year royalty check, that he had ever written.
50 years later, Tony still hears about his arrangement: Every once in a while, I get a note from someone. We did your arrangement and it went very well. And We got some arrangement you did. It’s kinda fun.
I asked Tony why he thinks his arrangement has been so popular. He replied accessibility.
Notably, Music Director Julian Wachner included the arrangement in Trinity Wall Street’s observance of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11.
Melanie DeMore singing the opening solo and then conducting. The occasion was the week-long 10th Anniversary Observance of 9/11, and this performance was on 9/9/2011.
Tony Furnivall’s Other Works
When I “interviewed” Tony for these notes, he chuckled and said I am a one hit wonder. It’s a horrible way to be remembered! So I asked him if there was another of his many compositions that he would rather be known by. His response was quick:
- He is Risen (a soft rock cantata on Mary Magdalene)
- Stedman (A hymn for change-ringers, composed under the pseudonym Atlea Stone)
- Ave Maria (arranged for a concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic)
- Twas the Night Before Christmas (an extravaganza for a Christmas concert 1978 performed at Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo; then again at Trinity Wall Street under the direction of Rob Ridgell.)
The Story of Tony Furnivall
From ages 12-17, Tony was a pupil at Christ’s Hospital School This is where he learned to play the organ and lead congregational singing. Notably, Christ’s Hospital has just informed Tony that they have established a scholarship in Tony’s honor,.
From there, he went to Oxford University where he was the organ scholar at Magdalen College.
Upon graduation from Oxford, he came to the United States for what was to be only one year, to serve as the interim Director of Music at the parish of St. Paul’s in Westfield, New Jersey. As it turned out, he never moved back to the UK. From Westfield, he joined the music staff at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, and then was called to be the Director of Music at the Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky. His next move was to Buffalo, New York, to the Director of Music position at St. Paul’s Cathedral He also became the organist for the Buffalo Philharmonic.
After a couple of years in Buffalo, Tony realized that it was tough supporting a growing family as a church musician. He reinvented himself into a software developer (early days) and organizational consultant.
Tony Furnivall’s Arrangement of Amazing Grace
Photo of Mr. Furnivall Courtesy of Washington National Cathedral Archives
Available for purchase at Hinshaw Music
Credits & Special Thanks
Article written by Anne Mallonee, edited for the internet by Stephen O’Bryan
Special Thanks for the black & white photos of Mr. Furnivall Courtesy of Washington National Cathedral Archives
Special Thanks for the video recording from the Trinity Church Wall Street Archives