St. Anthony Chorale

Some years ago, I was asked by a very polite and pretty bride-to-be if I would play the "St. Anthony Chorale" for the procession of her bridesmaids. I had to confess that I didn't know it, but if I was able to find it, I certainly would play it for her. Since she gave me enough "lead time," I was able to find this arrangement, and play it for her.

I never thought of it again until today, when I found this by accident.

Apparently, this piece has been quite "controversial," as scholars now tell us that it is NOT be Josef Haydn (1731-1809)!

For many years, it was thought to be by him, but now thought to be by his pupil and famous piano builder, Ignaz Pleyel (1757-1831). The second movement of which is based on an old Burgenland chant entitled "Chorale St. Anthony."

Johannes Brahms wrote a set of variations on the melody, and it says at the bottom of my score that is based upon "Brahms version."

This nice arrangement was done by Desmond Ratcliffe’s (1917-2001).

His first music teacher was his father William Ratcliffe who was a composer and organist at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, London. He learnt the piano and organ and after the early death of his father became a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, where he started to compose. He went on to be educated at Kingston Grammar School and was organist at a local church in Twickenham. He gained entrance to the Royal Academy of Music to study composition. Unfortunately the Second World War interrupted his studies when he had to go into the Army. When the war ended he took up his studies again at the Academy gaining many prizes.

I attached the score below. It come from a book entitled "Wedding Miscellany" published by Novello in 1965, so, if you use it, download it, or even loot at it, you may be arrested and imprisoned.