Grand Chœur

J. Frank Frysinger (1878–1964) was an American organist who was a student of Ralph Kinder (American) and William Wolstenholme (English).

Most of his career was centered in Pennsylvania and Illinois, although he worked in Nevada as well.

He composed about 20 organ works, some of which were very popular in his day.

"Grand Chœur" was published in 1917 by the White-Smith Music Publishing Co. It is dedicated: "To Hugo Goodwin, Esq., Chicago."

Hugo Goodwin (1883-1936 approx.) was a student of the famous Wilhelm Middleschulte and Municipal Organist in St. Paul, Minnesota, after having been Organist and Choirmaster at St. James' Cathedral in Chicago from 1918-1919.

"Grand Chœur" is A-B-A form, the opening and closing sections are essentially full organ and intended to display the organist's pedal playing skills - or lack thereof... ;-)

The central section is a chorale-like chordal melody played upon the Solo Vox humana and Concert Flute coupled to the Swell Rohrflote. After this, the Swell strings are heard, against which are some tricky arabesques played upon the Choir flutes 8' and 4'.

I hadn't intended to do this piece, as I printed it by mistake, thinking I was printing a different piece by Frysinger.. Then, after starting it, my ego wasn't going to let me say that I couldn't play the pedal part, so, here it is.

I just stomped out until I got it, hoping I wouldn't mess it up before I finished it. Well, at least I got through it. :-)

If you can't get enough of Frank Frysinger, you might enjoy his "Liberty March" also played on the Peterborough Hill:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/34823

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Frank Frysinger, and two of Hugo Goodwin.