Monastique - Tintern Abbey

Leonard Butler (1869-1943) was born in Dorking and died near St. Austell in Cornwall.

He was a pupil of Dr W. S. Hoyte (Organist of All Saint's Margaret Street, London), and of Dr. Ebenezer Prout, who was the uncle and organ teacher of the well-known John. E (beenezer) West.

He served as organist of St. Paul’s, Kilburn Square, London, and of St. Peter’s, Bayswater, London.

He was a professor of piano at the Guildhall School of Music, London.

"Monastique - Tintern Abbey" was published by Augener Ltd. in 1921. It was composed for the piano, and was apparently one of Butler's most popular pieces.

On the score, the direction says: "Alla Capella". The work translates nicely enough to the organ, and I was able to this pretty easily. There are no "fancy effects" called for, except perhaps the brief "fanfare" played pon the Solo, without the tuba, but with the Great reeds "coupled up" to the top manual.

Tintern Abbey was founded on 9 May 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow. It is situated adjacent to the village of Tintern in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye, which at this location forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England. It was the first Cistercian foundation in Wales, and only the second in Britain (after Waverley Abbey).

The abbey fell into ruin after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Its remains have been celebrated in poetry and painting from the 18th century onwards.

If you would like to hear the original piano version, I suggest you listen to Phillip Sears performance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnuhlRsyzKE

If you would like to hear more Butler on the organ, I suggest my "At Nightfall (Nocturne)"

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/34903

The original piano score is attached below, as well as photos of the two churches were Butler served as organist.

Both have suffered sad fates...

Also attached are photos of Tintern Abbey.