Six Short Preludes & Postludes Op. 101, No. 1

A hugely influential Anglo-Irish composer, Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924) has left an indelible mark on the music of the Anglican church and 2024 marks the centenary of his death. A prolific composer in numerous genres (including seven symphonies and nine operas), his two sets of 'Short Preludes and Postludes' are stalwarts of many-an-organist's repertoire. The first set was published by the newly founded Stainer & Bell in 1907, as Stanford's Op. 101, and No. 1 in the set is a pastorale in F major. Here, Stanford deploys a miniature sonata structure, which he handles with great finesse. Although he may have been eclipsed by Elgar and his pupils, this piece demonstrates Stanford's ability as a fine tunesmith.

Of course, the music of Stanford cries out for a romantic English organ and it's hard to better those instruments built by Henry 'Father' Willis, of which the organ in Salisbury Cathedral is one of the finest examples. It was sampled by Milan Digital Audio for Hauptwerk many years ago, but still sounds fabulous.