Édouard Silas (b. Amsterdam, Holland, Aug. 22nd, 1827) studied in Paris with Kalkbrenner, François Benoist and Halévy; at the Paris Conservatoire, gaining first prize for organ, 1849. He moved to London in 1850 and became Organist of the Catholic Chapel, Kingston-on-Thames. He was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and composed cantatas, church music, organ pieces, orchestral and chamber music, piano pieces, songs, etc. He died in 1909.
"March" is the second of six pieces, which were published by Augener in 1902. It's about as square and "academic" as can be, but it sounds great when played with an "heroic strut" to it.
The piece uses various degrees of "full organ" while the "fughetta" sections are played on the Great Reeds (with diapasons) at 8' and 4'. You'd need modern pistons to be able to make these changes, but since it was written in 1902, I suspect that it's "authentic" enough to do it this way.
There's a central section played on the Full Swell before the main section is repeated with a brief Coda, in which the Solo Tuba and 32' reed make an appearance.
All-in-all, this is a great sounding piece, that is easily grasped by any listener.
With the idea of playing weekly recitals on the OLG Wirsching, this is EXACTLY the sort of thing that would make, as the English say, a "capital recital opener"... ;-)
It's in the key of B-flat major, in case you were wondering... :-)
Here is a link to this piece and a few other by Silas.
http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Silas,_Edouard
Sign up today to download piece.
See what Agnus_Dei used to make this recording