This is a new printing of the original edition on sturdy, acid-free paper. Barnes’s great chromatic organ sonata in
four movements was a difficult task for the engravers at Schuberth; it is a full-sized sonata and, as indicated by its title,
there are many accidentals which always complicates the engraving. In order to present it properly, Steve Best, John Apple,
and I put it through three full drafts correcting every discrepancy. We were lucky that Steve owns the composer’s manuscript.
We include a photo, capsule biography, and descriptive list of his organ music. 32 pages. Highest quality guaranteed. Size of music is
13.5" x 10.5". $15.00.
Albert Lewis Barnes (1861-1906) was born in Illinois but was closely associated with Utica, New York,
for most of his life. He was involved with the organ in every aspect from playing and
teaching to maintenance and building. (
Read Steve’s entire
research in this PDF.) The movements are Allegro, Adagio, Scherzo, and Toccata—Finale.
The Sonata was dedicated to Edwin Thorn. The Thorn family fortune was made through ownership of the Utica and Black River Railroad Company.
Edwin Thorn gave the Steere organ at Tabernacle Baptist Church in memory of his uncle, John Thorn, president of the railroad. His
generosity to Tabernacle Church is legendary: Thorn Chapel at that facility is named for his family. The first performance of this
work was given by Barnes in October 1899 as part of the dedicatory organ recital at Tabernacle Church. Difficult.
