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.
"Tempo di Menuetto" is the ninth work in the collection and is very pleasing, and somewhat in the "town hall style," that I refer to quite frequently.
In the key of F major, it is a quick and cheerful movement, and is again somewhat in the style of Faulkes.
The central trio is in C major, but don't miss the delightful little excursion to the key of A-flat. It really sparkles and brings a fres vitality to the work.
The conclusion returns to the opening material, but on a bigger dynamic, and more virtuoso writing, including octaves in the pedal a grand crescendo, culmination on the final thundering unison.
The score (cleaned up version), 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
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