Adagio (Twelve Melodious Pieces, Op. 26, No. 3)

Edward Townshend Driffield was born in Prescot, near Liverpool, on December 10, 1851, and died at Ormskirk on Nov. 15th, 1925.

He was organist of Christ Church, Claughton, Birkenhead, and a solicitor in Tranmere.

"Twelve Melodious Pieces" were published by E. Donajowski, London, and are inscribed to him. They are solid, well-written, conservative pieces. While they are not "ground breakers" in anyway, they do have variety and color, and show the organ in a way that simply put, sounds good!

The quality varies throughout, but all of them, at least as far as I've gone, are solid, and some are very effective. I'll plan to do the whole set of twelve, uploading them in groups of three.

"Adagio" is the third work in the collection. In the key of D major, it is of the "church prelude type," but is attractive and will provide good practice in controlled, expressive playing, as well as practice in manipulating the Swell-box in a continuously smooth manner.

The score, courtesy of Dr. John Henderson, is attached below.

Also attached is a photo of Christ Church, Claughton, Birkenhead, where Driffield was organist. I have no photos of him, but I did find one of his grave, which is in St. Luke's Churchyard, Formby, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside.

Since I already did the sixth of these, "Cantilène, Op. 26, No. 6," I won't repeat it, but you can find it here:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/38738