John Knowles Paine (b. 1839 Portland, Maine - d.1906), the first university organist and first professor of music at Harvard University, studied in Germany and first made his mark as an organist. Five of the works on this CD were published for the first time in 1996. Murray Forbes Somerville, Harvard organist 1990-2003, plays these wonderful American pieces on three fascinating organs, two of which were played by Paine: the 1863 E. & G. G. Hook at Immaculate Conception Church, Boston; 1863 E. F. Walcker now at Methuen Memorial Music Hall and rebuilt by Aeolian-Skinner in 1947; and the 1997 Lynn Dobson op. 69 at Pakachoag Church, Auburn, Massachusetts
Variations & Fugue on The Star Spangled Banner
Double Fugue on God Save the Queen
Fantasia on Ein feste Burg
Fantasia & Fugue in E-minor
Andante con Variazioni in A
Prelude & Fugue in G minor
Prelude in C minor