Pastorale

Charles Wesley junior (11 December 1757 in Bristol – 23 May 1834 in London) was an English organist and composer. He was the son of Sarah and Charles Wesley (the great hymn-writer and one of the founders of Methodism), and the brother of Samuel Wesley, also an organist and composer. He is usually referred to as "Charles Wesley junior" to avoid confusion with his more famous father. He never married, living for most of his life with his mother and sister.

Although Charles Wesley junior is much less well known than his brother Samuel Wesley, he was like Samuel regarded as a musical prodigy in childhood, and he was playing the organ before the age of three. He became a professional musician in adulthood, and Matthews (1971) quotes the European Magazine of 1784 as reporting that "his performance on the organ has given supreme delight". However he did not enjoy public performance, and worked mainly as a private organist, at one time to the Prince Regent; he was connected with the royal family through much of his life.

"Pastorale" (I'm not sure this is the actual title of the piece) is found in the "Old English Organ Music for Manuals," edited by C. H. Trevor.

Trevor was a well-known organist, having been Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral, and a professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

While Trevor provides us with some interesting material, his "editions" sometimes became "arrangements," so, you must be careful of authenticity.

This charming piece uses only 2 flutes: the Lieblich Gedackt of the Choir (for the soft parts), coupled to the Stopped Diapason of the Great (for the loud parts). Actually, ALL of this is quite soft, but these two flutes provided a wonderfully "antique" sound which is perfect for the piece.

The score is attached below, as well as a portrait of Charles Wesley.