Eugene Thayer (1838-1889), a contemporary of Dudley Buck and John Knowles
Paine, was one of the early American organ virtuosi who composed many works
for the organ. The
Sonata I for organ was published in the 1860s
in Berlin and Boston. I believe that the German edition came first. Thayer
dedicated his first published work to John Knowles Paine, his American teacher;
indeed, this dedication is prominently displayed on the cover.
It contains the expected stylings of pieces from this time, and includes obvious
quotations of
God Save the King, owing to patriotic (nationalistic)
music being quite popular.
It is divided into three movements with the third being a set of variations
on
God Save the King, also known as
America or
My Country ’tis
of Thee. The pedal variation is especially fun to play! The
entire piece lies between moderately simple and moderate levels.