Prelude on "Picardy"

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.

Rowley composed a large amount of organ music, much of which is of a high quality.

This piece, judging by the page numbers, obviously comes from some "collection," but I have no idea which one, the publisher, or when it was composed.

It's a "straight-forward" setting, restrained and flowing, but not without beauty and appeal.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo Alec Rowley, as well as photos of St. Alban's Church, Teddington.

(On a sad note, I "discovered" today that St. Alban's, Teddington, known as the "cathedral" of the Thames valley, was closed years ago, the dwindling congregation merging with a much smaller church. "St. Alban's" was deconsecrated, and is now a theater and concert hall... :-(

MORE Rowley to come... :-)