Charles Edward Stephens (1821–1892) studied the pianoforte, violin and theory. After the completion of his school career, he was organist successively to St. Mark's, Myddelton Square; Holy Trinity, Paddington; St. John's, Hampstead; St. Clement Danes and St. Saviour's, Paddington. The last-named post he resigned in 1875.
He was a fellow or member of most of the English musical institutions, and was considered to be an accomplished musician, a good teacher, an excellent pianist, and a capable violinist. His compositions include a symphony and a quantity of pianoforte and chamber music. In 1880 Stephens gained both the first and second prizes for string quartets offered by Trinity College, London.
He was a clever speaker and writer, as his papers read before the Musical Association bear witness.
"Fantasia on 'St. James', Op. 11" dates from 1867. It is a multi-sectional and very rare work, which is quite effective, once you figure out how you're going to do it!
This work consists of an overture, a recitative, several variations, a paraphrase (an interlude), a solid, although quite old-fashioned fugue, which builds up to almost carillon like passages, followed by a pedal cadenza, and a grandiose coda.
The writing strikes me as something of a cross between Samuel Sebastian Wesley and John Stainer. Getting a "correct" performance was hard, since the style and registrations are quite "old-fashioned" for the time, and I debated whether to stick with the austere, or to broaden out the colors. In the end, I chose a compromise, always maintaining the spirit of the indicated registrations, although not always exactly.
To hear another large work by Stephens, please see: "Fantasia on the Chorale "St. Mary" (For Lent), Op. 24"
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/51189
The very rare score is attached below.
I could find no photos or drawings of Stephens, but I did attach photos of several churches at which he served as organist.
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