In the Twilight & Retrospection, E.L. Ashford - Randolph Blakeman, organist

Ashford, E. L., 29 March 1850-22 September 1930 was born in Delaware. Her full name was Emma Louise Ashford. She married John Ashford, of Vanderbilt University in 1867. She composed over 600 pieces of music, many of which were published in a magazine called The Organist. Because women composers were often not as much appreciated as they are now, she often signed her compositions as E. L. Ashford. Blakeman, Randolph, born 28 September 1954, graduated from Belhaven College (now Belhaven University) in 1977 with a double major in organ and voice. These three Psalm contemplations are his venture into minimalism. The rocking motion of the melody in Psalm 23 represents waves lapping gently at the shore. The more forceful registration and the dotted rhythms in Psalm 27 symbolize the assurance of God’s protection. The rising of the melody in Psalm 121 suggests looking up to the hills and its many twists and turns symbolize the way one ascends a hill or mountain—never straight up, but rising, leveling off, then rising again. About the Organ The organ at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS is a custom French-terraced console based on Allen Organ's G-350DK model. The organ features 66 stops, including 8 GeniSys voices, expanding the voices to over 300 available on this instrument.