Prelude on the Plain-Song "Vexilla Regis"

Sir Edward Cuthbert Bairstow (22 August 1874 – 1 May 1946) was an English organist and composer in the Anglican church music tradition. He studied the organ with John Farmer at Balliol College, Oxford, and while articled under Frederick Bridge of Westminster Abbey received tuition from Walter Alcock. He studied organ and theory at the University of Durham, receiving the Bachelor of Music in 1894, and the Doctor of Music in 1901. After holding posts in London, Wigan and Leeds, he served as organist of York Minster from 1913 to his death. He was knighted in 1932 for his services to music.

Notorious for his terseness and bluntness, Bairstow did not always endear himself to others. Comfortably ensconced at York, he refused an offer to succeed Frederick Bridge at Westminster Abbey.

Bairstow's compositions are mainly for the church. He wrote 29 anthems, ranging from large-scale works for choir and organ such as "Blessed city, heavenly Salem" to elegant miniatures like "I sat down under his shadow" and "Jesu, the very thought of thee". Among his anthems, the masterly "Let all mortal flesh keep silence" is perhaps the best known. His service music includes important settings. There is also a cantata, and some fine organ works.

"Prelude, Elegy, and Toccata-Prelude" were published by Augener Ltd. in 1911. "Prelude" is based upon the famous chant melody "Vexilla regis" (The royal banners"), associated with Palm Sunday, Holy Week and feasts of the Holy Cross.

It is a difficult and intense work. Like much of Bairstow's writing, I found it more impressive than lovable, but well worth hearing and playing. Beginning quietly, the work soon begins to build in intensity, arriving at a brief fugue, before a toccata-like section and a grandiose conclusion. It is always solemn, as befits the hymn text.

The text and a brief history of the hymn are in the First Comment.

The score is attached below, as well as several pictures of Bairstow and of the magnificent York Minster.