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.
"Moderato" is a MUCH more significant and substantial piece than its modest title might lead one to believe!
It is the the third of six pieces, which were published in 1879 by Ashdown and Parry and were dedicated to "The Chevalier J. Lemmens" who was then still alive. They received glowing reviews from the musical press who felt there was not a weak piece in the set. (THANK YOU, JH!)
Written in the key of A major, the work begins with a short "prelude" which is both expressive and quite memorable for the melodic material which is the sort of little thing that lasts in the memory for awhile. It seems that many of Silas' tunes are "rememberers". :-)
This is followed by an extended and impressive fugue which follows immediately. The work is highly chromatic, and the complexities of the harmony struck me as I was playing.
I no longer "know enough about fugal counterpoint," to speak scholarly, so I'm not going to say what the fugue has, but unless I miss my guess, there is some invertible counterpoint present here.
The whole thing reaches an impressive climax, but smoothly falls away, returning to the opening "prelude material," bringing the whole thing to a satisfying close, with perhaps a sense of nostalgia about it.
If you are following these and wondering where "March, Op. 95, No. 2" is you can find that here:
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/10912
The score is attached below, as well as a picture of Édouard Silas.
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