Three Images (A Suite for Organ)

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

"Three Images" were published in 1948 by The Willis Music Company. They are dedicated: "To Emory Leland Gallup, Mus. Doc." Gallup was organist of First Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois.

The pieces are quite "modern" in concept, although there are certainly touches of the late romantic in movements such as "Cloister Shadows" The work is flowing and shimmering with the lights and shadows of the serene college chapel. The motto given at the end reads: "Impressions from old St. John's Chapel at Racine College, Wisconsin."

"White Clouds" is less "fluffy" than you are probably expecting!. It's moody, and crawls around like a lazy summer day. The motto at the end reads: "A sultry afternoon at the Wisconsin Dells."

"Mirror Lake" is a nice blending of the composer's style, featuring the most "orchestral treatment" of the organ in the entire suite. The harmonies and writing is quite sophisticated, but still "popular" in the outcome. The motto given at the end reads: "Lazily drifting down lower Mirror Lake at Wisconsin's Dells."

The entire suite is concise, relaxing and picturesque in the result. :-)

I have a have few more nice items by John Franklin Carré, which I'll upload as soon as I can get them done.

Please see the First Comment for more biographical notes about the composer.

The scores are attached below, as well as a photo of the First Presbyterian Church, Racine where Carré served as organist. (It doesn't like "organ usage" at the church matters now as it did years ago. :-( )

Also attached are photos of the scenes depicted in these musical images.