John Franklin Carré was born on October 20, 1894 in Racine Wisconsin and died there in November of 1966. He was an organist in Racine, and was a pupil of the great Clarence Eddy (1851-1937) and of Felix Borowski (1872-1956).
He wrote an astounding three-movement "Sonata Eroica" in 1951, and you can hear a complete performance of it here:
https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/23883
"Mountain Sketches" (Three Tone Poems) was published by J. Fischer & Bro. in 1946.
The second piece, "Horizon" is dedicated: "To Palmer Christian, University of Michigan."
Palmer Christian (1885-1949) was one of the leading virtuoso organists of his day. He was Professor of Music and University Organist at the University of Michigan.
These three pieces all essentially"describe" the Sierra Madre.
The Sierra Madre Occidental is a major mountain range system of the North American Cordillera, that runs northwest–southeast through northwestern and western Mexico, and along the Gulf of California. The Sierra Madre is part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges (cordillera) that consist of an almost continuous sequence that form the western "sounds" of North America, Central America, South America, and West Antarctica.
The Spanish name "sierra madre" means "mother mountain range" in English.
The second tone poem, "Horizon" portrays the vast airspace, distant and mysterious, above the mountain range.
It's hard to portray "air" when playing upon the organ! That being said, I think this movement is the very center of this entire suite. Hopefully, the colors and approach I've chosen sound OK.
The score is attached below, as well as a photo of the First Presbyterian Church in Racine, where Carré served as organist.
Also attached is a photo of Palmer Christian, as well as some "air shots" over and around the Sierra Madre.
More extensive notes about the composer are given in the First Comment.
Tomorrow: "Chasms" the third of the three tone poems.
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