Édouard Silas (b. Amsterdam, Holland, Aug. 22nd, 1827) At the Paris Conservatoire, gaining first prize for organ, 1849. He moved to London in 1850 and became Organist of the Catholic Chapel, Kingston-on-Thames. He was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and composed cantatas, church music, organ pieces, orchestral and chamber music, piano pieces, songs, etc.
Silas composed many organ works, and a number of these were very popular at the time.
He died in 1909.
"Andante non troppo" is the first of six pieces, which were published by Augener in 1902. It is a serious, yet lyrical and deeply expressive work.
Written in the key of G minor, the framing sections are elegant and refined and seem to be painted with more than a touch of sadness about them. Perhaps it is only "mannered sadness," or "salon-style sadness," but the emotion is touching.
The central section in G major and marked "dolce . Poco animato" is very much in the style of one of Mendelssohn's "Songs-without Words". It makes for the perfect relief of the opening and closing sections, letting sunlight in, where it had previously been shut out.
It always amazes me to think that these works were published (written?) in 1902, as they sound much more like they would date from around 1850!
I found this work very beautiful, although I admit that I am always drawn to the "sadder" pieces.
I've decided to do the complete set of six, and I want them all on the same organ (Hereford), so, now the project is underway again.
I've recently done the "Elegy", on Salisbury, but that will have to be done again to match with the others.
I did the very grand and exciting "March" way back in August of 2013, and you can listen to that here, if you are interested:
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/10912
The score is attached below, as well as a picture of Édouard Silas.
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