Souvenir (E.A.G.)

Captain Harry Douglas (1882-1954) was a pupil of C. H. Kitson (1874-1944).

He was organist of Matlock Congregational Church for over 50 years and played many recitals there, saving all of his programs. These serve as excellent examples of music played at organ recitals during the 1920's through the 1930's.

Harry Douglas was a very fine organist and played the organ of Matlock's Congregational Church for over fifty years. There used to be a plaque in the church commemorating this but it was given to his family when the church was demolished. Mr. (later Captain and then Major) Douglas gave many organ recitals at the Congregational Church, as well as at other churches in the district. He played the organ wherever he went, seeking out church organs that he could play on even whilst on active service during the First World War in both Ireland and France.

He also "composed several pieces for the organ under the name of John Masson" which were published by Novello & Co. Perhaps he chose the pseudonym after the impressive mountain he would have looked at on an almost daily basis from both his home and his workplace.

He was also a sharp-shooter. In 1922, for example, it was noted that he had been recorded in the King's Hundred at Bisley six times.

This piece is exactly as the name calls it - a "souvenir." It was published by Novello in 1920, bearing the "moto" of "E. A. G.," probably a name, which serves as the thematic material for the piece.

It's a real charmer, close to "theater organ," but maintaining "sincerity" from start to finish. There's something "French" about this, no doubt influenced from his time there during the First World War.

If you followed my previous Silas upload, you've seen that I had a major computer crash. Nothing was "lost," but it will still be a week or two before I have my system back.
This little computer has to really "stretch" to get Salisbury loaded.

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Capt. Douglas.