A Child at Prayer

William Charles Mary Filby (1836-1913) was an organist in Hammersmith, Bromley, and then organist of St. Paul's Church, Greenwich. He was a recitalist at the 1862 exhibition.

As a composer, he wrote many piano pieces and songs, as well as a number of organ works.

"A Child at Prayer" was published by the The Vincent Music Co. Ltd. in 1907 as "No. 123" in the "The Organ Loft Series."

Filby is very specific about his registrations, and I've followed those quite closely. I avoided the temptation to "use the strings," as I think this would destroy the colors that he seemed to be seeking.

The work features a "child-like" diatonic melody, set against a slightly more chromatic background. The parts are intended to be independent (not coupled), and that's the way I've done it.

The work is without pretense or apology, and speaks of a long-forgotten world, and a simplicity of emotion that would be rare in the world in which we live.

It wouldn't take much to make this sound more in a "theater organ style," but I've avoided that, keeping it much more "classical" or "church-like" in character.

The score is attached below, as well as several of St. Paul's Church, Greenwich, which was the first church in London to be destroyed in the Blitz during World War II.

(I THINK this is the correct church, but I'm not completely sure that I've got the correct one where Filby was organist.)

More rare, odd, and forgotten gems coming soon. :-)