Elegy (Veteran's Day / Armistice Day)

Today, November 11th is Veteran's Day. First called Armistice Day, it commemorates the end of WWI at the 11th hour of the eleventh day of the 11th month.

I offer this work as a solemn act of remberance.

John Ireland (1879-1962) wrote only a small number of works for the organ, but his life centered around the instrument, more than might be imagined from the modest output for the instrument. As a student at the Royal College of Music he was a student of Charles V. Stanford, and the organ was Ireland's second study. He took lessons from Sir Walter Parratt (later Organist of St. George's, Windsor), and spent several years as his teacher's assistant at Holy Trinity, Sloane Street. Ireland later served as organist of St. Luke's, Chelsea, and was devoted to the Anglo-Catholic ritual there.

As a composer, he was active in many formats, and his organ music for the most part dates from the early part of his career. His liturgical works include the famous anthem, "Greater love hath no man, as well as the Communion Service in C, and the Morning and Evening Service in F.

"Elegy" is the 2nd movement of "A Dowland Suite." It was composed as an orchestral work, and published in 1932. This fine transcription was done by Alec Rowley (1892-1958). Born in London, he was a teacher, composer, organist, pianist, lecturer and writer, who studied at the RAM with Frederick Corder and where he won sundry scholarships and prizes. He was an organist at several London churches including, during the Second World War, St Margaret's, Westminster.

Ireland's music is eloquent, despite the brevity, and Rowley's fine transcription translates well to the organ. It is a fine and sober commemoration of this important day.

The score is attached, as well as a photos of John Ireland and of Alec Rowley.

Also below are photos of the commemorative marker and grave of of Private William Spahr, and I ask you to please see the First Comment.