Postlude

William Mathias CBE (1 November 1934 – 29 July 1992) was a Welsh composer.

He was born in Whitland, Carmarthenshire. A child prodigy, and started playing the piano at the age of three and began composing at the age of five. At Aberystwyth University, Mathias was a member of The Elizabethan Madrigal Singers and wrote 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo' for them in 1954. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music under Lennox Berkeley, where he was elected a fellow in 1965. He was professor of music and head of department in the University of Wales, Bangor, from 1970 until 1988.

His compositions include large scale works, including an opera, three symphonies, three piano concertos, and almost 20 organ works. Much of his music was written for the Anglican choral tradition, most famously the anthem Let the people praise Thee, O God written for the July 1981 royal wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales at St. Paul's Cathedral.

He founded the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph in 1972 and directed it until his death in 1992. He is buried outside St Asaph Cathedral, at St Asaph, Denbighshire, North Wales.

This attractive piece is taken from "An Album of Postludes" published by Oxford University Press in 1964.

It shows most of the sounds that the Steinmeyer can produce, ending on Full Organ with a splash and a rumble!

A photo of William Mathias is attached below.

PLEASE take a look at my review of this sample set - COMING SOON! :-)