M. Searle Wright

Synopsis

Composer, teacher, classical organist, theater organist

• 1918 born in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Wright earned money as a teenager on weekends playing the Wurlitzer at the Capitol Theater in Binghamton, New York.
• Studied classical organ in New York City with T. Tertius Noble.
• 1937-1947 studied composition at Columbia University.
• 1947 began teaching students at the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary, where he had earlier studied improvisation.
• 1952-1971 director of chapel music at St. Paul's Chapel, Columbia University, New York.
• 1969-1971 president of the American Guild of Organists.
• 1977-1984 Link professor of music at the State University of New York in Binghamton.
• 2004 died in Binghamton, New York.

Wright's Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue is seen as his greatest work. His Prelude on Brother James's Air appears to be his most popular. He was a deeply religious man who also created many choral works. His works are still performed regularly in churches today. His compositional style is quite tonal and conservative. His music, mainly his short chorale preludes, is performed frequently.

For details, see some of his obituaries: in the New York Times, in the Binghamton University News, and in the Columbia University News.

List of Organ Works

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Opus	Title	Year
Op. ??	Carol-Prelude on Greensleeves	1954
Op. ??	Fantasy on Wareham	1955
Op. ??	Prelude on Brother James's Air	1958
Op. ??	Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue	1962
Op. ??	Lyric Rhapsody	1970

Background and General Perspectives on Performing These Organ Works

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Registration and Organs

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Fingering and Pedaling

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Articulation and Phrasing

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Ornamentation

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Tempo and Meter

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Scores and Editions

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Recordings

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Free Online

Carol-Prelude on Greensleeves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq33DQi85Lc

Prelude on Brother James's Air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPNXMOeLuUE

Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SlhYS5MF78

Lyric Rhapsody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPlGqJ5KZO4

Pay to Listen

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Other Resources

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Notes

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