Adagio in E (Three Pieces, No. 2 - 1905)

Born in Brighton in 1879, Frank Bridge was a preeminent English composer, violist, and conductor. In 1899 Bridge entered the Royal College of Music where he studied with Charles Villiers Stanford. Eventually, Bridge became an influential teacher in his own right, as he was the teacher of Benjamin Britten.

The Adagio is the second of his three organ pieces published in 1905, shortly after completion of his studies at the Royal College of Music. The piece starts simply with the swell strings before building up to full organ before a gradual diminuendo. The original theme is restated again twice (first using a harmonic flutes and finally the solo strings) before ending quietly on the swell strings.

An English piece played on an English cathedral organ. I hope you enjoy!