The Organ Chorale Preludes of Ethel Smyth

The Organ Chorale Preludes of Ethel Smyth

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 This paper explores the historical background, context, and significance of Ethel Smyth’s (1858–1944) organ chorale preludes. Topics include her early influence and education in Leipzig; her acquaintance with Brahms and their shared fondness of Bach; the contextualization of her organ works within the Bach revival; and ideas regarding performance practice, based on evidence found in autograph scores.

Sarah Moon

Sarah Moon

Sarah M. Moon is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University, studying under Dr. Janette Fishell. She served as the department’s associate instructor from 2009 through 2011. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music in historical performance at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, studying with James David Christie and Webb Wiggins, and received the James Hall Prize in Musicology and the Selby Harlan Houston Prize in Organ and Music Theory upon graduation. She has attended the McGill Summer Organ Academy, the Austrian Baroque Academy, and Oberlin’s Baroque Performance Institute, and has performed in masterclasses with David Enlow, Francesco Cera, Jürgen Essel, John Grew, and Carole Terry. On the harpsichord, she has performed in masterclasses with Lisa Goode-Crawford and Davitt Moroney. She has presented recitals in the United States and abroad, at venues including Pease Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University and Crumlin Road Presbyterian Church in Belfast, Northern Ireland.