Fantasy on two well-known Christmas Carols ("The First Nowell" & "Good King Wenceslas")

John Ebeneezer West (Born: December 7, 1863, Hackney, London - Died: February 29, 1929, London) was an organist and founder of the North-East London Academy of Music.

West was taught at home by his father and received organ lessons from Frederick Bridge, organist at Westminster Abbey. From 1880-82, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was taught composition by his uncle, Ebenezer Prout, the respected authority on the fugues of Bach. He gained his Associateship from the Academy in 1898 and passed the Fellowship exam of the then College of Organists (it did not receive “Royal” status until 1893).

He held successive organ posts in London at St. Mary’s, Bourdon Street (1884-91); St. John of Jerusalem, South Hackney (1891-97); and St. Augustine’s, Queen’s Gate (1897-1902).

In 1884, on his twenty-first birthday, he entered the music publishing firm of Novello & Company in London as an associate editor. Following the death of Berthold Tours in 1897, West succeeded to the post of chief editor and adviser. He was following in illustrious footsteps; apart from Tours, the post had been occupied by Joseph Barnby and John Stainer. He remained with Novello’s for 45 years, of which 32 were spent as chief editor. He retired shortly before his death in 1929.

He was a prolific composer and editor with nearly 500 published pieces, and was a pioneer in the field of editing.

"Fantasy on two well-known Christmas Carols" was published by H. W. Gray (Novello) in 1909. It is a bravura showpiece which brilliant combines two beloved carols, "The First Nowell" and "Good King Wenceslas."

The two melodies are featured in different ways, and the concluding section where West plays one against the other is really spectacular.

The Peterborough Hill really shines in this one!

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of West and several of the churches at which he served.

COMING SOON - Music for New Year's Eve AND New Year's Day!

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