Organ Sonata No. 1 Andante Expressivo

Edward Elgar remains a towering figure in British music. Born near Worcester, he was a largely self-taught composer who rose to fame with works such as the Enigma Variations and The Dream of Gerontius. Though best known for his orchestral and choral music, Elgar had an early connection with the organ, having served as a parish organist and composed important works for the instrument. His music often reflects the dignity, lyricism, and emotional depth of late Victorian and Edwardian England.

Composed in 1895, the Organ Sonata was originally written to be performed for a convention of American organists at Worcester Cathedral. The Andante espressivo is the lyrical heart of the work.

This movement is deeply expressive and calls for a range of nuanced colors and dynamic shadings. It is both introspective and noble, and invites the performer to shape long phrases with care and poetry.

With its warm and expressive flutes and strings, orchestral reeds, and rich and noble Diapasons, the Saint Mary Redcliffe sample is the ideal choice for performing this piece. The instrument’s symphonic voicing mirrors the colors Elgar himself might have expected, with tonal blends reminiscent of the orchestral world from which he drew his inspiration.