Bur 4 Seven Chorale Preludes for organ

Contents

1. Rhosymedre - J D Edwards (1805-1885)
2. Christus der ist [mein Leben] - M Vulpius (1560-1615)
3. Leoni - trad. Hebrew melody
4. Moriah - Welsh hymn tune. (Moriah, Loughor; the birthplace of the 1904 Welsh Revival)
5. Irish - Hymns and Sacred Poems (Dublin, 1749)
6. Martyrdom - H Wilson (1766-1824)
7. Southwell - W Damon (Psalms, 1597)

Editor's Note

Benjamin Burrows’ Seven Chorale Preludes for organ, based on well-known hymn tunes, were published in 1942, by himself through his own Bodnant Press, using a process of music typography that he invented. Each prelude was dedicated to a fellow-musician and friend of the composer: Rhosymedre to H L Barnes, Christus der ist to C A Wykes, Leoni to Clifford Twigger, Moriah to Percy Hallam, Irish to George Gray, Martyrdom to Lewis Lilley and Southwell to Cardinal Taylor. Most of these men were organists and choirmasters; amongst them Percy Hallam and George Gray held their posts at the cathedrals of Bury St Edmunds and Leicester, respectively.

These are effective preludes, written with the sureness of touch of an expert organist and composer. This edition is taken directly from the composer’s own Bodnant Press edition: the very few editorial additions are shown in square brackets.