Andante religioso (2nd movement of the 'Sonata in D Minor')

John Ebeneezer West (Born: December 7, 1863, Hackney, London - Died: February 29, 1929, London) was an organist and founder of the North-East London Academy of Music.

West was taught at home by his father and received organ lessons from Frederick Bridge, organist at Westminster Abbey. From 1880-82, he studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was taught composition by his uncle, Ebenezer Prout, the respected authority on the fugues of Bach. He gained his Associateship from the Academy in 1898 and passed the Fellowship exam of the then "College of Organists".

He held successive organ posts in London at St. Mary’s, Bourdon Street; St. John of Jerusalem, South Hackney; and St. Augustine’s, Queen’s Gate.

In 1884, on his twenty-first birthday, he entered the music publishing firm of Novello & Company in London as an associate editor. Following the death of Berthold Tours in 1897, West succeeded to the post of chief editor and adviser. He was following in illustrious footsteps; apart from Tours, the post had been occupied by Joseph Barnby and John Stainer. He remained with Novello’s for 45 years, of which 32 were spent as chief editor. He retired shortly before his death in 1929.

He was a prolific composer and editor with nearly 500 published pieces, and was a pioneer in the field of editing.

If you follow the score, you'll notice that this work is really a virtuoso offering. I've attempted to do this in what I'd call a "period correct" performance. I've avoided, "fancy sounds," or an overly "clever" interpretation.

Please see the First Comment for brief musical notes.

This work was uploaded at the request of Dr. John Henderson, Librarian of the Royal School of Church Music.

I want to say a word of thanks to Carson Cooman, who sent me the score quite sometime ago. THANKS, Carson!

Now that I've done the central movement, I hope to complete the work with the 1st and 3rd movements in the near future.

Score & photos of West & churches; are attached below.