Meditation in a Cathedral, Op. 95, No. 6

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.

"Meditation in a Cathedral" is the sixth of six pieces, which were published in 1879 by Ashdown and Parry and were dedicated to "The Chevalier J. Lemmens" who was then still alive. They received glowing reviews from the musical press who felt there was not a weak piece in the set.

Written in the key of E-flat major and in 4/4 time, the work is marked "Adagio", but it is much more than a dreamy, drifting, slow piece!

One possible scenario for this meditation, is that the work conveys the idea of wandering through a great cathedral, taking in all the small and massive glories to be found within.

Another possibility, the one that seems more likely to me, is witnessing a grand ceremonial procession in the massive building. Starting slowly and quietly, the formality is maintained from start to finish. In the first section, the writing is all fugal (loosely) but this builds up with more and more volume and animation, eventually reaching the full organ.

On the final page, it seems as though we hear the great bells of the cathedral, ringing and thundering in a joyful and tremendous climax.

The name of Édouard Silas was largely unknown to me, but these six pieces, now mostly forgotten, are worthy works, and will repay the time spent upon them.

This "concludes" the set of six pieces in Op. 95. At some point in the near future, I will re-record the "Elegy" so that all six may be on the same organ.

The score is attached below, as well as a picture of Édouard Silas.