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.
Prelude
and Angel’s Farewell was taken from
The
Dream of Gerontius because Elgar felt they worked well together; he
allowed only three versions to be published: orchestra with mezzo-soprano
and piano solo in 1902, and this transcription in 1903. If you have an orchestral
organ, this transcription is for you!.
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. Prelude and Angel’s Farewell is
moderately difficult.