Nativity Scenes (complete)

Charles Raymond Cronham (14 June 1896 — 23 January 1969) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey (MY home town!), and was a life-long advocate for the organ. He served as a municipal organist in Portland, Maine; he taught, wrote, and arranged many pieces through his life.

I think he may have attended Darmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, but I'm not sure.

His greatest position was as Municipal Organist for the city of Portland, Maine, where he played the famous Kotzschmar Organ, which has recently been completely restored.

You still occasionally see the name of Cronham today, but at one time he was probably most well-known for his many arrangements that included registrations and directions for Hammond organs.

The three "Nativity Scenes" were published by the Boston Music Co. in 1947. The three works go together to form a suite, which tells the Nativity Story, beginning with the journey to Bethlehem, a dramatic dialogue between St. Joseph and the brash innkeeper, and culminating with the birth of Jesus, and the rejoicing of the Heavenly Host.

If you have ever played a big, old Austin organ, you'll recognize certain features in the score that make it quite clear that this is the type of instrument the composer had in mind.

Features like chimes, harp and celesta are not part of the Salisbury Willis, but I've "worked around" all of this in a way that I found satisfying. In the last movement, Cronham calls for chimes, but since this is lacking, I took a different approach, building up the dynamic level, and "replacing" the chimes with the Solo tuba. :-) Personally, I think is a better and grander effect than could be achieved with bells, even if they are loud enough to make a statement.

I highly recommend his "Kings of the Orient" which you can find here:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/43808

The scores are attached below, as well as three photos of Charles R. Cronham, and one of the restored Kotzschmar Organ.

Timings in First Comment.