Edward C Bairstow’s compositional output was somewhat hampered by a busy and useful life and the bulk of his compositions were created for the Anglican church. His setting of Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence is widely performed. This setting for The Office for Holy Communion in D is one of three settings he created for the mass. It is an effective and sensitive setting and in particular the pianissimo moment created for ‘And was made man’ and fortissimo phrase just before ‘And the third day’ leading into the double choir passage for the ascension are the work of a great talent immersed in religious understanding.Organist teacher composer and conductor Edward CBairstow (1874 1946) spent most of his professional life happily in the role of Organist at York Minster playing teaching leading the choir giving recitals writing music and works of musical pedagogy. When offered the position of Organist at Westminster Abbey Bairstow had no hesitation in declining and remaining in his native Yorkshire. He is best known as a teacher having had a remarkable number of students and for his extreme straightforwardness and high standards for himself his singers and the composers whose work he chose to perform or present.
