| Description: | Alec Rowley (1892-1958) was a pupil of Frederick Corder at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was a composer, organist and pianist, who taught composition at Trinity College in London. He broadcast frequently in piano duet repertoire with Edgar Moy, and his name was known to many through his writing and through the many educational pieces that he wrote, staple fare for many a beginner or amateur player. His more demanding work as a composer has been unfairly neglected. Rowleys Piano Concerto No.1, scored for piano, strings, and percussion, was first performed in 1938.
He was for many years the organist of St Alban's Church, Teddington and was a contributor to 'The Rotunda', the house magazine of Henry Willis & Sons Ltd.
Rowley composed a large amount of organ music, much of which is of a high quality.
In 1932, Rowley published (Novello) the 2 "Plainsong Preludes." The first, "Resurgam" (I shall rise again), is a mostly-quiet piece, but not without its own urgency and intensity. The theme is transformed into a beautifully shaped piece, that seems to have somewhat of a "French feel" to it.
The piece is dedicated to Edgar T. Cook, CBE D.Mus. (Cantuar) FRCO FRCM (18 March 1880 – 5 March 1953), who served as the first organist of Southwark Cathedral from 1909 until his death in 1953.
Southwark has always been a "high church" cathedral, and plainsong has featured prominently in its services.
The score is attached below, as well as a photo Alec Rowley, as well as photos of St. Alban's Church, Teddington, where Rowley was organist, and of Southwark Cathedral, where the the dedicatee, Edgar T. Cook, was organist.
MORE Rowley to come... :-) |
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