Sonata in D Minor (I - Allegro moderato)

Sir John Frederick Bridge CVO (1844–1924) was from a musical family, and he became a church organist before he was 20, and he achieved his ambition to become a cathedral organist by the age of 24, at Manchester Cathedral. After six years there, he was invited to become organist at Westminster Abbey where he "reformed many unsound traditions in the choir, such as life-tenure of posts as vicars-choral and inadequate rehearsal of boys and men together. The services soon became renowned through his marked gifts as a trainer of boys' voices." His book, "A Westminster Pilgrim," written in 1918, the year he retired from the Abbey, is a lengthy, but highly enjoyable recounting of his memoirs. (YES, I've read it!!!) The critic, H. C. Colles wrote that the book showed why Bridge was "even more widley loved as a man than he has been respected as a musician."

The "Sonata in D Minor" is a "rare" piece. and is dedicated to his brother, Joseph, who was organist of Chester Cathedral.

The entire sonata is economical and to the point. The first movement, "Allegro moderato" has an active, recurring them, which builds to an impressive climax twice, before being relieved by some quiet sections. There is a brief dialogue before the main theme returns and builds to an impressive conclusion and coda.