On the Mount

J. Frank Frysinger (1878–1964) was an American organist who was a student of Ralph Kinder (American) and William Wolstenholme (English).

Most of his career was centered in Pennsylvania and Illinois, although he worked in Nevada as well.

He composed about 20 organ works, some of which were very popular in his day.

"On the Mount" was published in 1920 by J. Fischer & Bro. It is dedicated: "To Mr. J. H. Simms, Omaha, Neb."

James H. Simms was one of the first deans of the Omaha Chapter of the American Guild or Organists, and a long-time organist of All Saints Episcopal Church in Omaha.

This piece is not as "theatrical" as some of Frysinger's other compositions, but it still shows his "compositional fingerprints." There is a hint of work painting of "jagged peaks," but most of the work is smooth and flowing.

Notice in the central section that the melody is in the left hand chords, which are played upon the Swell strings with sub and super couplers at 16' and 4'. The decorative descant in the right hand is NOT the melody, as I first though it was! ;-)

I'll be doing some more of Frysinger's music since much of it fits very nicely into the Summertime Dream series. :-)

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of J. Frank Frysinger and one of the dedicatee, James H. Simms.