Isaac van Vleck Flagler (1840-1909) is nearly unknown today, but he was an important American organist with
a fascinating career in upstate New York. Robert “Robin” Adair was the subject of this poem written in the 1750s
by his wife and set to a traditional Irish melody. The song quickly became popular and was even mentioned in
Emma
by Jane Austen.
The Aeolian Organ Company recorded “Robin Adair” by Flagler in 1914 as its organ roll #709. The piece was described
as follows in
The Aeolian Pipe Organ and Its Music (1919): “The present roll contains an organ paraphrase of
this famous melody. After an elaborate introduction the air is heard, simply stated, and then comes the first variation, in
which an interesting counter-theme plays a prominent part. There follows an interlude, and this is succeeded by the next variation,
in which the flute and piccolo play florid obligatos to the original melody. Again an intermezzo intervenes, and then is heard
the grand finale, which ends brilliantly.” Moderately difficult due to extensive scales.
