Lift high the Cross

Andrew Moore is a composer, conductor, arranger and music editor, and also a catholic priest. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he graduated in advanced orchestral conducting, studying also the violin and the organ. In 1982 he was ordained a priest as a member of the Benedictine community at Downside Abbey, having obtained a degree in theology at Cambridge University (Christ’s College). As monastic choirmaster for some fifteen years he led the daily singing of Gregorian Plainsong and helped to maintain and foster a high standard of liturgical music with appearances in several radio and television broadcasts. From 1993-95 he was parish priest at the Downside Parish of Little Malvern, the church where Elgar lies buried. In 1996 he stepped aside from monastic life for a more active ministry in the Diocese of Portsmouth and has served as parish priest, and currently supplies in the diocese from his base in Winchester. He is conductor of the Winchester Camerata.

As a composer, Andrew Moore is perhaps best known for his liturgical and organ music, having written several widely-used mass settings, many responsorial psalms, motets, anthems and carols, and a varied selection of works for organ.

The great hymn-tune "Crucifer," on which this piece is based was composed by Sir Sydney Hugo Nicholson MVO (9 February 1875 – 30 May 1947) was an English choir director, organist and composer, now chiefly remembered as the founder of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). He was born in London and educated at Rugby School, New College, Oxford and the Royal College of Music. He then served as organist at Barnet Parish Church (1897 - 1903), Carlisle Cathedral (1904), Lower Chapel, Eton College (1904 - 1908), Manchester Cathedral (1908 - 1919), and Westminster Abbey (1919 - 1928).

This work can be found in a collection called "Pageant for Pipes" published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd. in 1996.

Photos of Andrew Moore and Sydney Nicholson are attached below.