Requiescat in pace

Today, November 2nd, is All Souls Day - the Church commemorates all of the faithful departed.

Philip Frederick Wright James (May 17, 1890 – November 1, 1975) was an American composer, conductor and music educator.

James was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. At an early age he began piano, violin and theory lessons, and served as choirboy in several New Jersey churches. From 1904 to 1909 he studied organ with J. Warren Andrews and in 1907 began advanced harmony and counterpoint lessons with Homer Norris. He also studied composition with, as well as organ with Joseph Bonnet and Alexandre Guilmant in Paris.

In World War I James played in and subsequently became bandleader of the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band.

In 1922 he co-founded and became the first conductor of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and in 1923, began a long teaching career at New York University, serving as head of the music department from 1934-1956.

Though he remained active as a composer until his death in 1975, James' larger-scale compositions were infrequently played after the mid-twentieth century. However several of his early sacred compositions, including "Meditation a Ste. Clotilde" for organ and the anthem "By the Waters of Babylon" remain in the sacred repertoire.

"Requiescat in pace" (Rest in peace) was was composed in 1949, and published by Sunny-Birchard Company. It was written as a dirge for the great Canadian organist, Lynwood Farnam (1885-1930).

Farnam became the preeminent organist in North America, and was admired for his technical skills and sensitivity to the music.

This work is a powerful work. I'd go so far as to call it brutal. Certainly it is not easy listening, and it makes demands upon the performer and listener.

Some are quick to dismiss "dissonant" music, but I invite you to try to let this reach you. I found that it did "find me" as I performed it.

The score is attached, as are several photos of Philip James, and two of Lynwood Farnam.