Improvisation on 'Schönster Herr Jesu' (Crusader's Hymn)

Last week I came upon some organ works by W. Lawrence Curry (19 March 1906 — 26 February 1966), and I thought that I might do them.

This one, the "Improvisation on 'Schönster Herr Jesu' is the smallest of the three pieces that I found, and it is also the latest of them, as it was published by Abingdon Press in 1966, the year of the composer's death.

The only information that I could find about Curry is that he was a choral conductor, and taught at the University of Pennsylvania. He composed about 15-20 organ works, but I don't have any information on where he was organist etc.

The other two preludes that I found date from the 1940's, and are sort of in a "cleaned-up Sowerby-style," meaning that they "look" like Sowerby's works, but have more "traditional" harmonies. They are both solid pieces, but I don't know if I'll bother to do them.

I did this one last night as a "get acquainted" piece, and it's much less "involved" then the other 2. I'm not sure whether I like this or not, but I know that many people love this melody, usually sung to the text "Fairest Lord Jesus."

The work is dedicated "To the Reverend Jared J. Rardin" and has a "different take" on the well-known melody.

I think this came out OK, but at first, I was going to upload it. However, it's a "new settting" of the "old melody," and hope that some will find it enjoyable and useful.

The score is attached below.