Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 3

William Ralph Driffill (1870-1922) was born in Dunstable, England on December 8, 1870 and died at Barnet on April 24, 1922.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, London. He was a music teacher and Organist of Monken Hadley Parish Church; St. Mark’s, Barnet Vale, beginning in 1901, and conductor of the Barnet Philharmonic Society.

He composed six piano sonatinas and a number of organ pieces including, some of which are still played occasionally, especially the "Toccata" from the "Suite in F Minor," and the "Cantaline in A-minor," which makes a delightful encore of the salon type.

On April 22nd of this year, St. Mark's Church, Barnet Vale, where Driffill was organist, will be holding a concert of his works, thus commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of his death.

"Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 3" dates from 1892. It is dedicated: "Composed for and dedicated to Fred. Gostelow Esq. A.R.A.M. Gostelow was Ralph Driffill's cousin.

This is a nice, late romantic work, A-B-A-Codetta in form. The framing sections are gentle and peaceful, somewhat reminiscent of a Chopin nocturne, but the theme will make you immediately think of Saint-Saëns' "Le cygne."

The middle section is a storm movement, and it's quite a storm too, although it sounds a bit march-like in an appealing way! After reaching a passionate conclusion, all this subsides, and the peaceful, shimmering mood of the opening returns, all nicely finished off by a brief "codetta" at the end.

Now all the little woodland creatures can return to their peaceful night of slumber! :-)

If you would like to hear the "Cantaline in A Minor," you can find it here: https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/43915

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of W. Ralph Driffill and one of St. Mark's Church, Barnet Vale.