A Second Sonata

Dr. Francis Edward Gladstone, was born at Summertown, near Oxford, March 2,1845. When 14 he was articled to Dr. S. S. Wesley, with whom he remained at Winchester for five years. After being organist for two years at Holy Trinity Church, Weston-super-Mare, in 1866 he obtained the post of organist at Llandaff Cathedral. In March 1870 he was appointed organist at Chichester Cathedral, but three years later he moved to Brighton, where he remained until 1876, when after a short residence in London he accepted the post of organist at Norwich Cathedral, which he resigned in 1881. Gladstone then became organist to Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, London, a post which ill health compelled him to resign in 1886.

He took the degree of Mus. B. Cantab, in 1876, and shortly after was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music. He took the degree of Mus. D. in 1879, and is also a Fellow of the College of Organists, a Member of the Board of Musical Studies at Cambridge, and a teacher of organ, etc., at the Royal College of Music.

He was received into the Roman Catholic Church, and was appointed director of the choir at St. Mary of the Angels, Bayswater. He composed a large number of organ solos, as well anthems and service settings.

"A Second Sonata" was published by Novello in 1915. It is dedicated: "To Don Dunstan Sibley, O.S.B." The work is of a high quality, but is VERY old-fashioned for 1915!

Performance notes and individual timings are given in the First Comment.

This work, written toward the end of Gladstone's life, also directly reflects his conversion to Roman Catholicism, but only in the final movement, which is based upon a plainsong, "Benedicamus, Domino." I couldn't help but be "pleasantly annoyed," as this is the exact same melody used by Gregor Aichinger in his famous "Regina coeli" motet.

THANKS to Dr. John Henderson who shared the score, and to our member, Leon1949Green, who was helpful in discussing musical styles.

Score & photos attached.