Echoes of Spring

Today marks the arrival of spring! For me, it arrives at 5:42 PM. This work will serve as an excellent announcement of the day!

Charles Rudolf Friml (December 7, 1879 – November 12, 1972) was a Czech-born composer of operettas, musicals, songs and piano pieces, as well as a pianist. After musical training and a brief performing career in his native Prague, Friml moved to the United States, where he became a composer. His best-known works are "Rose-Marie" and "The Vagabond King," each of which enjoyed success on Broadway and in London and were adapted for film.

"Echoes of Spring" was published by G. Schirmer as a piano solo. The organ version, arranged by Edwin Shippen Barnes was published by them in 1921, so, the piano version would date from the same time.

Edward Shippen Barnes (September 14, 1887 in Seabright, New Jersey – February 14, 1958, in Idyllwild, California) was an American organist. He was a graduate of Yale University where he studied with Horatio Parker and Harry Jepson. After graduating from Yale, Barnes continued his studies in Paris with Louis Vierne,Vincent D'Indy, and Abel Decaux. He worked as organist at the Church of the Incarnation, New York (1911–1912), Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York (1913–1924), St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia (1924–1938), and the First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica (1938–1958).

This is a small tone picture that depicts the first gentle rustles of the arrival of spring, and is in the style that is typical of all of the music by Friml that I've uploaded.

It's restful and carefree, and I hope will mark the entrance into the new season (spring or autumn) as a time of happiness and peace for all of my listeners!

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Rudolf Friml, one of his signature, and of Edwin Shippen Barnes.

COMING SOON: "Sonata in D Minor" (complete) by John E. West. This is a major work in the English organ literature, although it is very rarely played.