Allegretto Affetuoso

Having never "studied" the piano, I've always had profound admiration for pianists. I've always longed to sit down and play a Mozart or Beethoven sonata, or a Chopin Nocturne...

I've come to really enjoy playing little "miniatures" on the organ. Many of these pieces are piano works, as I think this one must be.

I found it a collection compiled by Frederic Archer.

Frederic Archer (16 June 1838 – 22 October 1901) was a British composer, conductor and organist, born at Oxford, England. He studied music in London and Leipzig, and held musical positions in England and Scotland until 1880, when he became organist of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Archer was later appointed conductor of the Boston, Massachusetts Oratorio Society, director of Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in 1899 organist of the Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh. In 1896 he established the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He founded, in 1885, The Keynote, which for a time he edited, and also published several books and numerous organ compositions.

On the title page of the collection, "The Organists Journal," Archer is listed as organist of the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill.

These great "civic organists" must have been amazingly talented. They played countless recitals, not only of organ literature, but of transcriptions, many of which were very difficult.

Robert Schumann's (1810-1856) composed , "Allegretto affetuoso." It's only one page in length, and little over 2 minutes in length. I assume that is originally a piano work, but I don't know, so I won't say! ;-)

I will say that I think it's a little gem, and it works perfectly on the Hereford Willis. I should warn you that it's a soft piece, but I think you'll find it worth your while to turn up the volume and listen.

Romanticism, color, shape and balance, all in abundance - but in a small package! :-)

Photos of Robert Schumann and Frederic Archer are attached.

An ALL AMERICAN JULY 4th tomorrow!