Fugue in C Minor

Édouard Silas (b. Amsterdam, Holland, Aug. 22nd, 1827) At the Paris Conservatoire, gaining first prize for organ, 1849. He moved to London in 1850 and became Organist of the Catholic Chapel, Kingston-on-Thames. He was a professor at the Guildhall School of Music, London, and composed cantatas, church music, organ pieces, orchestral and chamber music, piano pieces, songs, etc.

Silas composed many organ works, and a number of these were very popular at the time.

He died in 1909.

"Fugue in C Minor" is really quite a monumental piece, especially when you realize that it is only 3 pages in length.

It begins with a brief, but forceful "Adagio," which leads directly into the impressive fugue, "Moderato". So, this in fact a "prelude and fugue" format.

The "Adagio" clearly states the seriousness of the work, and the "Moderato" is one steady, massive crescendo, culminating in the mighty final entrance of the subject in the Pedal.

I often lament that I wish that more minor key pieces would not end in the major, but in THIS case, the major is certainly the right choice!

This work is found in Volume 3 of "The Organist's Quarterly Journal". The score itself is too large to attach, but THIS is the correct IMSLP link, where you can find 9 of the 10 volumes.

https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Organist's_Quarterly_Journal_(Various)

A photo of Édouard Silas is attached below.