Four Pieces for the Organ - I. Prelude

Eric DeLamarter (February 18, 1880 - Lansing, Michigan, - May 17, 1953 - Orlando, Florida, USA) was an American organist, conductor, music critic, teacher, and composer. He studied organ with Fairclough in St. Paul, Middelschulte in Chicago, and Guilmant and Widor in Paris (1901-1902), and was a graduate of Albion College in Michigan (1900).

After finishing his studies, he held several organ positions in Chicago, notably with the Fourth Presbyterian Church (1914-1936). He was music critic for the Chicago Inter-Ocean (1901-1914), the Chicago Record-Herald (1905-1908), and the Chicago Tribune (1909-1910). He also taught at Olivet College (1904-1905), Chicago Musical College (1909-1910), University of Missouri, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas. Among his pupils was Leon Stein. He was a close friend and advisor to Leo Sowerby as well as a champion of Sowerby's music. DeLamarter aided Sowerby in his becoming an accomplished organist.

Eric DeLamarter was assistant conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1918 to 1933 and from 1933 to 1936 he served as their associate conductor.

De Lamarter wrote quite a few pieces for Organ, as well as a couple of concertos for Organ and Orchestra. This work (with the unassuming title of "Prelude") is the first in a set of 4 pieces... it turns out to be a wild Scherzo, full of colors and virtuoso display. The strings and solo stops get a workout, as does the crescendo pedal.

Enjoy, but be careful of your volume settings - this goes from pp to FFF!