A Morning Melody

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 successful as a composer, and has several organ works that are still played.

If you listened to any of the previously uploaded Crawford works, you'll find it impossible to believe this was composed by the same man! It comes from a much earlier time - worlds away from the later material.

The opening section is VERY SOFT, so you'll have to adjust the volume.

"A Morning Melody" was published in 1923 by Bosworth & Co. Ltd. It begins with a wonderfully relaxed song of pure joy. It reminded me almost of a carousel. It also made me think of a 1960's movie theme.

The middle section has a large crescendo, and then the opening material returns in a varied manner.

You must WAIT for the final chord!

The score is attached below.