Sonata Eroica (Organ Sonata No. 2, Op. 151)

Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) - this year we remember 100 years since his passing.

World War I (1914-1918) was a devastating global conflict that resulted in significant loss of life and cultural heritage. The city of Reims became a symbol of this cultural destruction: Reims Cathedral, the traditional coronation site of French kings, was heavily damaged by German shelling, sparking international outrage. The Battle of Verdun (1916), one of the longest and most brutal battles of the war, lasted for nearly 10 months and resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties on both sides. It became emblematic of French resilience and determination. The phrase "They shall not pass" (On ne passe pas) emerged from this battle, symbolizing the steadfast defense of French soil.

Composed in 1917, Stanford's "Sonata Eroica" for organ was inspired by the war's cultural and human devastation, particularly the damage to Reims Cathedral and the Battle of Verdun. The sonata is structured in three movements:

0:00 "Rheims," a tribute to the bombed cathedral using the "Easter Hymn" to symbolize resurrection and hope;

8:28 a solemn funeral march evoking the sorrow and loss of life; and

16:40 "Verdun," a triumphant finale incorporating "La Marseillaise" to celebrate French resilience. Stanford later orchestrated the second and third movements of the sonata, titling the composition "Verdun"

https://imslp.org/wiki/Special:ReverseLookup/22173

(Note my video includes a spoken introduction; something I hope to do for bigger uploads like this)