Second Rêverie

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.

"Second Rêverie" was published by Novello, Ewer & Co. in 1894. It is dedicated: "To. M. Aloÿs Claussmann."

Aloÿs Claussman (1850-1926) was a pupil of Eugène Gigout, and a brilliant performer. He was organist of the Clermont-Ferrand Cathedral, and a successful composer, whose style was a successful amalgamation of the French and German styles.

In this elegiac "Second Rêverie," you'll hear Luard-Selby's intense Germanic influence. The expressive eloquence makes a great impact, and the outcome is a significant one, which I found to be greatly moving.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Bertram Luard-Selby and one of Aloÿs Claussman. Also attached are photos of St. Barnabas Church, Pimlico, where Luard-Selby was organist when he composed this piece, and one of the Cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, where Aloÿs Claussman was organist.