Five Chorale Preludes for Lent

Anyone who has followed my uploads will know that I have had the pleasure of uploading the complete works of Alec Rowley.

I chose to do these Lenten preludes again, this time using the Armley Schulze organ. This is actually quite a challenge, as it's not an "English organ," as the sounds and usage are quite different.

Alec Rowley was born in London on 13 March 1892, teacher, composer, organist, pianist, lecturer and writer, who studied at the RAM with Frederick Corder and where he won sundry scholarships and prizes. He was an organist at several London churches including, during the Second World War, St Margaret's, Westminster. He died on 11 January 1958 while playing tennis.

Rowley was a superb teacher, who did much to assist the student. Unfortunately, this labeled him as a "writer of children's music" in the eyes of some.

He was a fine organist, having gained his FRCO by the time he was 16. His largest organist position was at St. Alban's, Teddington, a large and important church.

These five preludes were published by Edwin Ashdown Ltd. in 1953. They make up "Volume I" of a group of six, as I recall.

Each tune has a completely different treatment, and many of Rowley's "compositional fingerprints" are clearly evident.

There was a time I used to have little regard for Rowley's works, but have done all of them, I can say there is much substance in his output, which ranges from simple one page voluntaries, to massive, virtuosic symphonies and sutes.

So, have a look for your self!

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Alec Rowley, as well as one or two of the composers of the hymn tune being set, or of the dedicatee.

The individual timings for the pieces are given in the First Comment, as well as the text of the first verse usually associated with these hymns.

I wish all members and listeners a peaceful and blessed Holy Week.