Quasi Pastorale (Four Pieces for the Organ, No. 3)

John Stuart Archer was born 19th Nov 1866, at Kensington, London, and died 21st Mar 1954, Paddington, London. Despite his importance on the British organ scene, he was not an academic musician, but rather, an engineer with an interest in chemistry. The only other thing I can tell you about him was the he went by the nickname of "Blackie". Looking at some of his compositions, it's really rather hard to think of him as an amateur. He had a good mastery of "how" to write for the organ, and his works ALWAYS sound great. This one is no exception. As you will hear, his harmonies are quite conventional, but their "use" is what makes his music work so well.

I recently discovered that his entire "church career" was centered around London. He served parishes in Wimbeldon, and was John Ireland's assistant at St. Luke's in Chelsea for awhile. His final (?) church position was at the Third Church of Christ Scientist in London. This struck me as a BIG surprise, although while his music is distinctly English, it really doesn't "feel" all that Anglican.

"Four Pieces for the Organ" were published by Stainer & Bell in 1913. The four pieces are each highly unique, and most of them set forward some significant "technical" issues for the organist.

The third work in the collection is "Quasi Pastorale," and it is a true gem. Like many other "classical" organ pastorales (Franck, Reger, Merkel, etc.) is in the warm key of E major. Flutes and strings feature prominently, and there are many expression marks. Archer is always fastidious about his markings, so, these must be followed. There is a fair amount of the use of double pedal, and the feet are always occupied, either playing pedals, opening or closing the swell shades, or both!

I don't think it is a stretch to say that Rheinberger would not have been ashamed to have penned this!

The score is attached below, as well as a picture of J. Stuart Archer.