Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Celebrate the Legacy of Hermann Kotzschmar - April 15

PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì The Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ will celebrate the Legacy of Hermann Kotzschmar, Portland's pre-eminent musician of the late 19th century and the organ's namesake, on Tuesday, April 15, 2008. This marks the 100^th anniversary of Hermann Kotzschmar's death.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Portland's Merrill Auditorium. Organists/choir directors Harold Stover, Albert Melton and Chip Kaufman will join Portland Municipal Organist Ray Cornils in a concert featuring works of J. S. Bach, Franz Joseph Haydn, Will Macfarlane, John Knowles Paine, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Mr. Kotzschmar. Highlights of the program include Haydn's "The Heavens Are Telling" (from The Creation), Bach's "Fugue in Eb Major" (St. Anne), Macfarlane's "Evening Bells and Cradle Song," and Kotzschmar's "Rejoice in the Lord" and "Commercial Street Polka."

Choirs from First Parish Church UU, Portland; First Parish Church, UCC, Brunswick; St. Luke's Cathedral, Portland and Woodfords Congregational Church will join the Organists and Directors for this special celebration.

Hermann Kotzschmar, a German native, moved to Portland in 1849, where he worked as organist at First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist for 47 years, and as a choral conductor in Portland. Kotzschmar was a talented musician, composing music as well as instructing hundreds of students at the "Kotzschmar Piano School" for more than 50 years. His great friend, Cyrus H. Curtis, donated the Kotzschmar Organ to the City of Portland as a permanent fixture of City Hall in memory of Hermann Kotzschmar.

Admission is a suggested $12 at the door; under 21 free.

About the Kotzschmar Organ
The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, built in 1912 by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford Connecticut, is this nation's oldest working municipal organ. With 5 manuals for the hands, a 32-note pedal board, 6857 pipes from ¬‡ inch to 32 feet in length, 87 stops, 101 ranks, it is truly one of this nation's musical treasures.

About Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ was founded in 1981 as a result of the city of Portland's need to withdraw funding for the organ due to financial limitations. Today, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Kotzschmar Organ, the Friend's responsibilities include raising funds, presenting concerts and educational programs and engaging the services of a Municipal Organist.

For more information on any of the concerts contact Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Executive Director Kathleen Grammer, 207-883-4234 or visit www.foko.org.

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The Legacy of Hermann Kotzschmar

July 4, 1829- April 15, 1908

Homeland Traditions

The Heavens Are Telling (from The Creation) Franz Joseph Haydn

Chorus 1732-1809

Ray Cornils, conductor, Harold Stover, organ

Fugue in Eb Major (St. Anne) Johann Sebastian Bach

Albert Melton, organ 1685-1750

Happy and Blest Are They (from St. Paul) Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Chorus 1809-1847

Albert Melton, conductor, Ray Cornils, organ

When Will Ye Think of Me? Hermann Kotzschmar

Soloist TBA

Hermann Kotzschmar in Portland

Rejoice in the Lord Hermann Kotzschmar

Chorus

Chip Kaufmann, conductor, Ray Cornils, organ

The Leviathan March Hermann Kotzschmar

Ray Cornils, organ

Commercial Street Polka Hermann Kotzschmar

Henry Kramer, piano

Variations on the Austrian Hymn John Knowles Paine

Ray Cornils, organ 1839-1906

The Kotzschmar Hymn Hermann Kotzschmar

Chorus and audience

Hermann Kotzschmar's Legacy

Malaga Isaac Albeniz

Henry Kramer, piano

Evening Bells and Cradle Song Will C. Macfarlane

Harold Stover, organ 1870-1945

I Was Glad C. Hubert H. Parry

Chorus 1848-1918

Harold Stover, conductor, Albert Melton, organ

America, The Beautiful Will C. Macfarlane

Chorus and audience

Harold Stover, conductor, Ray Cornils, organ