Three Quiet Preludes (No. 3 Diatonic)

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.

The "Three Quiet Preludes" were published by Joseph Williams Limited in 1937. Each of the three pieces are intended to "purely demonstrate" the sounds and colors of "Modal," "Chromatic" and "Diatonic," although it's not quite as "simple" as all that.

The third one, "Diatonic" features a lot of the 8' stops singing together. The Harmonic Flute of the Great, is quite large, and it "anchors" the chorus. The "dynamic inflections" are made by the swell box, and the careful addition and subtraction of stops on the Great.

All three preludes are dedicated to Harvey Grace (1874-1944). He was a chorister at Romsey Abbey, studied under Madeley Richardson at Southwark Cathedral, and became Organist of St. Mary Magdelene, Munster Square, London. He was editor of The Musical Times and a noted author and adjudicator.

Grace's years at Chichester coincided with a new awareness of liturgical solemnity; plainsong was used regularly at some of the weekday services from May 1936. Grace was appointed Commissioner of the School of English Church Music in 1937, and resigned at the end of the year.

He joined the staff of Trinity College of Music in 1939, and also acted as Organist of East Grinstead Parish Church during World War II.

These three pieces were uploaded a bit a year ago by EdoL. I had not recalled that, but my three uploads are dedicated to him with friendship and respect. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as THE photo of Rowley, one of Grace, and one of Chichester Cathedral.