Communion in E-flat

Harry Rowe Shelley (June 8, 1858 – September 12, 1947) was an American composer, organist (church and concert), and professor of music. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Shelley studied at Yale College, and with Dudley Buck and Antonín Dvořák in New York, and completed his musical education in London and Paris. According to his New York Times obituary, Shelley "penned church music that won him wide popularity. For sixty years a host of English-speaking peoples throughout the world sang his hymns."

While still a boy, Shelley played the organ at Center Church on the Green in New Haven. Although he entered Yale, he did not complete his freshman year. He was organist at the Church of the Pilgrims in Brooklyn and died at age 89 in Short Beach, Connecticut.

In his day, Shelley was as major figure in the American organ world. His music is very much "of his time," and well some of his works are very sentimental, there are some solid and even brilliant works, particularly the "Fanfare" and the "Marche Militaire", both of which were composed while Shelley was organist of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in New York City.

"Communion in E-flat" was published by G. Schirmer in 1904.

This struck me as very unusual "communion" piece. I actually don't know how to define it.

Terms like "Berceuse" or "Lullaby" come to mind, but the waltz-like feel seems almost like an "Alpine" sort of thing. It's not something I'd use as a "liturgical communion," but Shelley wasn't a liturgical musician.

I would have like to have "expression" for the melody part, but I think this might be more "authentic" like this, but either way, it's nice.

MORE Shelley coming soon!

To hear another side of Shelley, I suggest you listen to "Marche Militaire", which can be found here:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/34561

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Harry Rowe Shelley, a photo of an autographed copy of his "Fanfare," and several photos of churches at which he played.