Hymne à Sainte Cécile

Charles Gounod (17 June 1818 – 17 or 18 October 1893) was famous for his many successful operas.

Like many French composers, he was an organist in his youth, and gave serious consideration to entering the priesthood.

The transcription was done by William Joseph Westbrook (1831-1894). He was an esteemed English organist, conductor, teacher and composer. He was born in London and died at Sydenham. He was organist at St. Bartholomew's, Sydenham for nearly 40 years, beginning in 1851.

He received the degrees of Bachelor of Music and Doctor of Music from Cambridge.

For many years was examiner in music in connection with the College of Preceptors and the London College of Music, and for thirteen years was conductor of the South Norwood Musical Society. He made numerous arrangements for the organ and wrote text-books for this instrument. He also composed, but is most chiefly remembered for his skillful transcriptions.

Gounod's "Hymne à Sainte Cécile" was published in 1865, and dedicated to Jean Delphin Alard. It is for orchestra and chrorus, and features a solo violin.

Westbrook's transcription was published by Schott, and published by G. Schirmer in the US. As far as I can figure, this is the opening movement, and features the solo violin part.

Rather than trying to imitate that, I used this as a "test" of various crescendos and diminuendos using various combinations of the Peterborough flutes, and that is what you'll hear in this performance.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Gounod, and a photo of St. Bartholomew's, Sydenham, where Westbrook was organist.

Also included is a photo of a painting of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, whose proper feast day is November 22nd, painted by Carlo Dulci (1616-1686).