Robert Elmore

Wanamaker Organ at Macy's, Philadelphia

Möller organ at Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York

1948 Aeolian-Skinner at Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah

1929-1932 Midmer-Losh console at the Main Auditorium, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey

Give 'em Elmore

…a centenary tribute to imaginative and virtuosic American composer-organist Robert Elmore (1913-1985).

Program Broadcast dates:

• Week of January 28, 2013

Links and Resources:

• Printable program listings

Music played in the program

Hour 1

ROBERT ELMORE: Festival Toccata –Robert Plimpton (Wanamaker organ/Macy's Department Store, Philadelphia, PA) Pipedreams Archive (r. 6/2/12)

ELMORE: Rhythmic Suite, Rhythms (i.) –Robert Plimpton (1914 Austin/Spreckels Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA) Spreckels Organ Society 4; Pavane (ii.) –Clay Christiansen (1948 Aeolian-Skinner/Mormon Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, UT) Klavier 11044; Rigadoon (iii.) –Albert Russell (Aeolian-Skinner/Riverside Church, NYC) Vermont Organ Academy 005; Finale (iv.) –Robert Plimpton (Wanamaker organ/Macy's, Philadelphia, PA) Pipedreams Archive (r. 6/2/12)

ELMORE: Chorale-prelude on Seelenbrautigam –Joyce Jones (Möller/Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY) Motette 11491

ELMORE: Concerto for Organ, Brass and Percussion –Wanamaker Festival Brass Ensemble/Peter Conte, director; Robert Plimpton (Wanamaker organ/Macy's Department Store, Philadelphia, PA) Pipedreams Archive (r. 6/2/12)

Hour 2

ELMORE: Rhumba –Olivier Vernet (1997 Birouste/Eglise St. Vincent/Roquevaire, France) Ligia Digital 0104160

ELMORE: Donkey Dance –Gabriel Dessauer (1985 Mayer/St. Bonifatius Church, Wiesbaden, Germany) Dessauer 1999

ELMORE: Sonata for Organ –Norman Mackenzie (2000 Reuter/First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA) Pipedreams Archive (r. 7/4/2002)

WALTER KRAMER: Eklog. FRITZ KREISLER: Caprice Viennois. J. S. BACH: Toccata & Fugue in d, BWV 565 –Robert Elmore (1929 Kimball/Boardwalk Hall Ballroom and 1929-1932 Midmer-Losh/Main Auditorium, Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ) ACCHOS 02

ELMORE: Night Song –Peter Conte (Wanamaker organ, Macy's Philadelphia) Pipedreams Archive (r. 6/2/12)

ELMORE: Fantasy on Nursery Themes –Robert Elmore (1929 Kimball/Boardwalk Hall Ballroom, Atlantic City, NJ) ACCHOS 02

Robert Elmore (January 2, 1913 – September 22, 1985), a mild-mannered gentleman who saved his energy 'for the music', was born of missionary parents in India, grew up in Nebraska and Philadelphia, earned degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the Royal Academy of Music and College of Organists in London, was official organist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and notably served several churches in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His opera It Began at Breakfast was the first American opera to be televised. More than a few of his more than 200 compositions deserve to be revived!