Chorale Prelude in e Minor

In this piece, Reed uses one of the ancient chorale melodies, a tune that has been used by many other composers during the 300 years of its existence (including two settings by J.S. Bach.  The composer's original edition first appeared in 1953, published by Charles H. Hanson Music Corporation.  As was a common in the day, only a condensed score was published.  The publication was acquired by Southern Music Company in 1966, and in 1996, in recognition of Alfred Reed's position as one of the most important composers of serious music for wind band, a full score of the piece was prepared.  It is hoped that conductors will take advantage of this opportunity to reexamine this early masterpiece of Alfred Reed.