Solemn Prelude

Philip Frederick Wright James (May 17, 1890 – November 1, 1975) was an American composer, conductor and music educator.

James was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. At an early age he began piano, violin and theory lessons, and served as choirboy in several New Jersey churches. From 1904 to 1909 he studied organ with J. Warren Andrews and in 1907 began advanced harmony and counterpoint lessons with Homer Norris. He also studied composition with Rubin Goldmark, Elliott Schenck, and Rosario Scalero, as well as organ with Joseph Bonnet and Alexandre Guilmant in Paris.

In World War I James played in and subsequently became bandleader of the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band. Victor Herbert heard his work with the band and upon James' discharge from the Army hired him as musical director for his musical comedy, "My Golden Girl". James conducted the Victor Herbert Opera Company from 1919 to 1922.

In 1922 James co-founded and became the first conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

In 1923 James began a long teaching career at New York University, serving as head of the music department from 1934-1956.

Though he remained active as a composer until his death in 1975, James' larger-scale compositions were infrequently played after the mid-twentieth century. However several of his early sacred compositions, including "Meditation a Ste. Clotilde" for organ and the anthem "By the Waters of Babylon" remain in the sacred repertoire.

My main interest in James is that he's from my home town, Jersey City. His first important job was at St. John's Episcopal Church, only about a mile away.

In its day, it was one of the most important Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Newark, but now, though a National Landmark, it is collapsing and abandoned.

It is a tragic statement of "change..."

For some notes about "Solemn Prelude," please see the First Comment.

Several photos of Philip James and some of St. John's Church in Jersey City are attached below.