Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934) is a well-known English nationalist
composer who studied the music in his father’s shop and taught
himself to play several instruments, including the organ.
Chanson de Matin was Elgar’s Opus 15, Number 2, for violin and piano, paired with Number 1,
“Chanson de Nuit”. This beautiful piece is played in orchestras from high schools to professional symphonies and in many transcriptions for various instruments. Brewer’s
organ transcription is simply sublime.
Alfred Herbert Brewer was born in Gloucester, England, on
June 21, 1865. He was highly educated and well-trained in
music. He studied organ with such teachers as Charles Villiers Stanford, he
won scholarships, he earned multiple degrees, he was awarded Hon.R.A.M. and
F.R.C.O, and was knighted by the king. He was a well-rounded musician who
was able to bring orchestral favorites to the organ in transcriptions that
are approachable and always easier to play than those by other well-known
organists such as Edwin Lemare. “Chanson de Matin” is moderately easy.
