Postlude in E-flat

Charles Harford Lloyd (Thornbury, 16 October 1849 – Slough, 16 October 1919) was well-known in his time, but now largely forgotten.

When S. S. Wesley died in 1876, the position at Gloucester was immediately offered to Lloyd. Though he was an unknown at the time, he soon earned a reputation as an outstanding musician, remaining until 1881. While there he became the Honorary Secretary of an organisation called Cathedral Organists of England and Wales.

In 1882, he moved to Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, remaining there until 1891. While in Oxford he took his degree of Doctor of Music in 1890. From 1887 to 1892, Lloyd was an instructor in organ and composition at the Royal College of Music.

Lloyd was invited to fill the position of music teacher at Eton College from 1892, when Sir Joseph Barnby resigned. He was Instructor of Music, and played the organ in the Eton College Chapel every morning and afternoon, as well as on Sundays, and rehearsed the choir. He also gave frequent organ recitals on Sunday evenings.

After retirement from Eton in 1914, Lloyd was appointed organist at the Chapel Royal, St. James Palace from 1914, a post he held until his sudden death on his birthday in 1919.

"Postlude in E-flat" was published by Novello in 1905. It is dedicated: "To his friend Basil Johnson Esq."

Arthur Basil Noel Johnson (1861-1950) was director of music at Rugby School.

The is a grand and brilliant work. Detailed and difficult, the pace is quick, and there are MANY notes to get in. The form is A-B-A with a coda, and that coda is a very exciting conclusion to this work, with it's massive chords and octaves in the Pedal.

It appears as though the work is very rarely played. I've never heard it before in any recording or performance.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Lloyd, Gloucester Cathedral, Christ Church, Oxford, and the Chapel Royal.

A VERY HAPPY 2021 to ALL!