Fanfare (Six Pieces, No. 6)

Joseph Cox Bridge (1853-1929) was an English organist and composer. Born at Rochester, Kent, studied under John Hopkins and his elder brother, Frederick, who later became organist of Westminster Abbey.

From 1871 to 1876 he was organist of Exeter College, Oxford, and received his Mus. B. in 1876. He was assistant to his brother at Manchester Cathedral, before being appointed to Chester Cathedral in 1877. There he revived the Chester triennial festival. In 1908 he became a professor at the University of Durham.

His works include an oratorio, "Daniel" (1885); a "Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C", for voice and orchestra (1879); and a considerable amount of organ-music, anthems, and part-songs.

"Fanfare" is taken from "Original Compositions" published by Weekes and Co. in 1885, and "Inscribed to J. B. Miller, Ffolliett House, Chester". It is the sixth and final piece in the collection.

It's also a "re-do" of an upload that I did about a week ago, using the Armely Schulze. Since I did the entire set of pieces, I wanted them all to be on the same organ, and this take is far superior to the previous one in my opinion.

It is something of a cross between a fanfare and sort of toccata. I think it is most reminiscent of the famous "Fanfare" by Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens (1823-1881). In my opinion, this work by Bridge is "better" than the one by Lemmens, but tastes will vary. :-)

It is a brilliant work that would make an extremely effective postlude.

The Peterborough Hill allows the piece to be heard in what I'd call a more "cathedral tradition sound," and the effect is grand and heroic.

The score for the six pieces, NOW COMPLETE, courtesy of Dr. John Henderson is attached below, as well as a photo Joseph Cox Bridge, one of his brother, Frederick, and photos of Manchester and Chester cathedrals, as well as the splendid memorial to Joseph Bridge in Chester.