Hymn Prelude on "Nutfield" (Three Short Pieces, No. 1)

T.J. (Thomas James) Crawford (1877-1955) was born in Scotland, lived in England, and became a naturalized Canadian in 1928. He held the degree of B Mus (Durham), and was a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.
He studied organ and theory in Glasgow with H. Sandiford Turner and Otto Schweitzer, and in 1894 in Leipzig with Carl Reinecke and Paul Homeyer. While he was in Leipzig he was organist at All Saints (Anglo-American) Church. He also was successful there as a composer; his "Lipsia Suite" for orchestra was performed under Reinecke (and later under Sir August Manns at the Crystal Palace in London).

Returning to London in 1898, he assisted Sir Frederick Bridge for seven years at Westminster Abbey. In 1911 he became the organist-choirmaster of St Michael's Church, Chester Square, London. In December 1922 he moved to Toronto to take up posts as organist at St Paul's Bloor St. and teacher at the Toronto Conservatory.

He was organist-choirmaster in 1932 at Holy Trinity Church and 1933-46 at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Retiring in 1946, he continued to travel as an examiner for the RCMT and produced a book, Keyboard Harmony and Transposition (Toronto 1952, 1966). His last position was at St Andrew's Church, Barrie, in 1954.

He was quite active and successful as a composer, and has several organ works that are still played.

"Three Short Pieces" were published in 1950 by Western Music Company, Ltd.. The first is the "Hymn Prelude on 'Nutfield'". It uses the well-known (at one time) melody written by William H. Monk (1823-1889), who is most famous for his beloved melody, "Eventide," written for "Abide with me."

The text, "God that madest earth and heaven" is usually associated with "Nutfield."

In this work, Crawford produces a fine prelude, avoiding ANYTHING that is bland or predictable. The setting is highly "personal, and may please or not please the listener.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of the hymn-writer, William H. Monk.