Chorale Prelude on, "Rockingham" (When I survey the wondrous Cross)

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 "Chorale Prelude on 'Rockingham'" is the third piece in the third volume of Rowley's "Chorale Preludes based on Famous Hymn Tunes." This particular collection deals with hymns covering a WIDE range of liturgical seasons - Christmas, Advent, The Passion, Whitsuntide, and Harvest.

Published in 1952, this setting is flowing and rather straight-forward. It is somewhat chromatic, but less so than many other Rowley preludes. As always, there are a number of "touches" showing the Rowley fingerprints.

You will need to be quick managing the "on/offs" in the pedal, which alternates between playing the melody and the "bass part."

The registration is soft throughout, although there are a few subtle changes here and there.

I'll be uploading several other settings of this hymn over the next few days, as well as some unique and highly unusual settings of hymns for Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

The score is attached below, as well as the now VERY famous photo of Alec Rowley!

After Easter, I'll be starting work on the big Rowley organ works, the Sonata, the Symphonies, etc.