Andante in E Minor

I came across this completely by accident, and the only reason I even looked at it was because I knew that the composer had been organist of Hereford Cathedral.

Langdon Colbourne was born on 15 September 1835 in Hackney, London. He studied under George Cooper, who was organist of the Chapel Royal at St. James's Palace,

Colborne must have been well thought of, as he held a number of significant posts:

St. Michael's College, Tenbury (1860-1874)
Beverly Minster (1874-1875)
Wigan Parish Church (1875-1877)
Hereford Cathedral (1880-1889)

The "Andante in E Minor" is rather like Mendelssohn - or perhaps a little "later" in style than Mendelssohn. It's smooth and flowing, but there is nothing "exceptional" about it.

I've "fancied it up" just a bit, using a few dynamic changes, which I hope enhance the effect of the piece.

This is the sort of piece that Ronald Perrin, late organist of Ripon Cathedral had a classic line about.

During the first evensong of term, and the first time I heard the choir, there was no rehearsal. They just came in and sang "From the rising of the sun" by Frederick Gore Ouseley. It's very "standard" and straight forward. IMMEDIATELY upon conclusion of the anthem, he turned to me and said: "Not much you can do with that - except forget it..." ;-)

Hopefully you'll find this a nice piece, and you won't "forget it" too quickly.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Langdon Colborne.