| Description: | Douglas, Charles Winfred Douglas (1867-1944) was a church musician and editor. He was born in Oswego, New York, and received his Bachelor in Music degree from Syracuse University in 1891. He also studied at St. Andrew's Divinity School, Syracuse; Matthew's Hall, Denver; in England, France, and Germany, and with the Benedictines of Solesmes.
He was ordained deacon on Oct. 15, 1893, and began his ministry as curate at the Church of the Redeemer, New York. He was Canon Minor at St. John's Cathedral, Denver, 1894-1897. From 1897 until 1907, he was associate missionary at Evergreen, Colorado, and established the Church of the Transfiguration.
He was ordained priest on Aug. 6, 1899. Douglas was canon residentiary at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 1907-1934.
He had a life-long relationship as musical and liturgical leader with the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary, in both Peekskill, New York, and Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 1934 he was made honorary canon of St. John's Cathedral, Denver.
He was musical editor of The Hymnal (1916), and served on the Joint Commission of the Revision of the Hymnal which produced The Hymnal (1940).
The name of Winfred Douglas was very well-known in the 20th century American Episcopal Church, but as time passes, so passes away his fame.
As a composer, he left a number of organ works, including these two hymn-preludes, dedicated: "To the honored memory of Philemon Fowler Sturges." Published by the H.W. Gray Co. in 1947, as part of their "St. Cecilia Series", the first for Advent is based on the "combining" of two hymns - the solid tune, "Breslau" dating from 1625, and the ancient plainsong, "Conditor alme siderum".
Being somewhat desperate for Advent pieces, I found this, deciding to give it a try. It has an appeal, but is very "fussy" and quite "awkward," so, I leave it to the listener to determine its success.
The score is below, plus 2 photos of Douglas, and 1 of the the St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, WI. |
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