Vieille Chanson

Edward d' Evry (6 June 1869 — 25 December 1950) preceded Ralph Downes as Organist of the Brompton Oratory and wrote a number of pieces for organ in varying styles over a period of more than 50 years. He was also Controller of Examinations for the Trinity College of Music in London.

It seems that in some ways, d'Evry is another "man of mystery," or perhaps I should say that there seem to be NO photographs of him still floating around!

He wrote a significant number of organ works, including several "concert toccatas," as well as more liturgically oriented works.

You can find a selection of them here: https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Evry,_Edward_d'

You can also hear him on a recording here: http://www.amphion-recordings.com/phicd199.html

On the recording he performed the Bach "Gigue Fugue," recorded in 1926. Apparently, nerves, microphone placement, noise, etc. ruined the recording, and I think it pretty much just fell apart on him... :-(

"Viellie Chanson" ("Old Song") is a work that really shows him in the garb of a French Romantic. Since he was organist of a large and important Roman Catholic position, he has more "interest" in the French (Catholic) organ music of the period, and this certainly shows in his music. However, it's really a suave combination of English and French elements, and this work really captures that combination, allowing both "accents" to come through. The work was published by Laudy & Co. in 1895, and dedicated "To E. H. Lemare, Esq."

It would make a nice church or recital piece, but just make sure you notice that there a lot of notes in a continuous movement of a wide-ranging pedal part.

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of the Brompton Oratory.

A number of people have asked me about the "Rowley Riot"...

Well, the Riot is about to make a major return with a complete performance of the "Symphony No. 1 in B Minor". I'm estimating completion of the recordings by next week, so, I hope you will listen!