Triumph Song (Alleluia)

Alec Rowley (1892-1958) was a pupil of Frederick Corder at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was a composer, organist and pianist, who taught composition at Trinity College in London. He broadcast frequently in piano duet repertoire with Edgar Moy, and his name was known to many through his writing and through the many educational pieces that he wrote, staple fare for many a beginner or amateur player. His more demanding work as a composer has been unfairly neglected. Rowleys Piano Concerto No.1, scored for piano, strings, and percussion, was first performed in 1938.

He was for many years the organist of St Alban's Church, Teddington and was a contributor to 'The Rotunda', the house magazine of Henry Willis & Sons Ltd.

"Triumph Song (Alleluia)" was published by Novello in 1952. I think it is one of Rowley's most "well-known" pieces. It is a very effective piece, that would work nicely on most organs. It bears all of Rowley's "harmonic fingerprints," and is in his "modern neo-modal" style. It, like most of his music, has a broad-base appeal, and is enjoyed by organists and congregations.

I used to have a "snobbish" opinion of Rowley, and tended to "look down" on him, as I did not view him to be in the pure, "cathedral tradition." However, the error is MINE, and I've come to truly appreciate his work.

On a personal note, I'm going to play this piece in a few hours at a church interview. It's been a long time since I've had any kind of interview, and I'm only interested in this place because it is a fully traditional, Anglo-Catholic parish, and only about 20 miles from where I live.

There aren't many "traditional" churches left, so, I hope this works out. If not, my life will go on...

I've attached a photo of Rowley, as well as several photos of the church where he worked. You can see it is quite magnificent. Also, if you know what you're looking at, you can see that this place is DEFINITELY Anglo-Catholic - and on a GRAND scale! :-)