Sortie, in F Major

James Hotchkiss Rogers (1857-1940), composer, music critic, organist, and teacher, was born in Fair Haven, Conn., and began piano lessons at 12 and organ lessons later, and studied in Europe with Guilmant and Widor from 1875-80. In 1883, Rogers moved to Cleveland, becoming organist at Euclid Ave. Temple playing until his retirement in 1932. He was also organist for Shaker Hts. Neighborhood Church and First Unitarian Church. He was music critic for the "Plain Dealer" from 1915-32. It was said Rogers was never harsh; even when Isadora Duncan danced in an outrageous red costume in 1922, Rogers simply wrote, "all things considered, the orchestra did very well." Rogers explained his role was not to discourage but rather to encourage and advise. Rogers composed over 550 works: over 50 compositions for the organ, 5 cantatas, over 130 songs, and instruction books for both piano and organ. His composing style was late Romantic and including several suites and sonatas.

"Sortie, in F Major" was published by the Oliver Ditson Company in 1911. It is dedicated: "To Mr. Edward Kreiser."

Edward Franklin Kreiser (1869-1917) was a pupil of Guilmant and organist of the Grand Avenue Temple (Methodist Episcopal Church), in Kansas City, Missouri, which was known as "The Millionaire's Church."

Kreiser was shot and killed by his wife who said he had openly boasted of his affairs with many women for years.

The tragic story was featured in an article in "The Tracker" magazine. I've included a page of that in the attached material, and give what she said at the time of the killing in the First Comment.

The piece at hand is a brief but impressive postlude, one that would sing and thunder on the large E. M. Skinner organ that the dedicatee played. That fully restored organ is still there today.

The score is attached below as well as a photo of Rogers, a page from the article, as well as photos of the Grand Avenue Temple Church and restored E. M. Skinner organ.