Postlude in D

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.

"Postlude in D" dates from 1885 and is a fine and bold work. The form is A-B-A, the softer central section framed by the two louder ones. There is a brief Coda of sorts before the thundering conclusion.

I've done quite a few works by Luard-Selby, and I have to say that I've liked all of them so far, so, I guess I'll do some more. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Bertram Luard-Selby, and several of St. John's Church, Torquay, where he was organist when he composed this work.

MORE Luard-Selby coming soon!