Pastorale (L’Organiste moderne - 1ère Livraison,1867)

Louis-James-Alfred Lefébure-Wely (13 November 1817 – 31 December 1869) was a French organist and composer. He played a major role in the development of the French symphonic organ style and was closely associated with the organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, inaugurating many new Cavaillé-Coll organs.

His playing was virtuosic, and as a performer he was rated above eminent contemporaries including César Franck. His compositions, less substantial than those of Franck and others, have not held such a prominent place in the repertory.

I want to first acknowledge Fazioli, who recently uploaded this piece. I would not have been aware of it if he hadn't, so, THANK YOU, Roland! :-)

I wanted this piece to show the fine, "rustic" Hill Hautboy of the Swell. The section for the Cromorne is played upon the Clarinet of the Solo, with the Vox Humana added for a little more "grit".

This little gem of a piece is found in "L’Organiste moderne – 1ère Livraison", which dates from (1867), and the score is attached below.

Also attached is a drawing and a photo of Lefébure-Wely, as well as a picture of the Church of St.-Roch in Paris where he served as organist, and one of the organ.