IV - Slow

Alan Gray (23 December 1855, York – 27 September 1935, Cambridge) was a British organist and composer. He stood at a height of 6'8"!

Born in York, he attended St Peter's School in York and Trinity College, Cambridge. From 1883 until 1893 he was Director of Music at Wellington College. In 1893 he returned to Cambridge to be organist at Trinity College, and remained organist there until 1930.

His compositions include an Evening Service in F minor (Magnificat and Nunc dimittis) for use in the Church of England's liturgy of Evening Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer. His most famous work is the magnificent "What are these that glow from afar," composed in 1918 "In memory of the Brave."

"Slow," the 4th work in the collection, is a lovely miniature that builds up to a grand climax before dying away.

Gray quotes the text: "And keep in tune with Heaven." "O may we soon again renew that song!"