Pastorale on the Introit "Hodie Christus natus est" and the Hymns "Corde natus" and "Adeste Fideles"

Bertram Luard-Selby (12 February 1853 – 26 December 1918) was an English composer and cathedral organist. As an organist, he served in Salisbury Cathedral and Rochester Cathedral. As a composer, he wrote prolifically for the church, the concert-hall and the theater.

Luard-Selby was born at Ightham Mote, Kent. He studied the organ at the Leipzig Conservatoire, and was organist at, successively, St. Barnabas, Marylebone, and Highgate School (1876); Salisbury Cathedral (1881); St. John's, Torquay, 1884; and St. Barnabas, Pimlico, 1887. He was appointed organist of Rochester Cathedral on the death of the incumbent, John Hopkins, in 1900, and held the post until 1916. He was the musical editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern, published in 1904.

A diverse composer, his church music includes two settings of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, 16 anthems, and a number of pieces for the organ.

"Patorale on the Introit "Hodie Christus natus" est and the Hymns "Corde natus" and "Adeste Fideles" is really a rather "well-known/unknown" piece! I say this because it is included in many Christmas anthologies, but little known and rarely played.

It was published by Novello in 1899 and is dedicated: "To The Rev. G. R. Woodward". George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848-1934) was an Anglican priest who wrote mostly religious verse, both original and translated from ancient authors. Many will know him from his "Ding! dong! Merrily on high". Woodward was Precentor of St. Barnabas' Church, Pimlico, where Luard-Selby was organist when he wrote this.

In this large and expansive work, the composer combines the three themes in clever and colorful ways, leading to a tremendous climax and very satisfying conclusion. Like much of this music, the registration is involved and "tasky"

It's much more than "just a pastorale!"

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Bertram Luard-Selby and the Rev. G. R. Woodward, as well as photos of St. Barnabas Church, Pimlico, and of Rochester Cathedral.