Richard
Wagner (1813–1883) was largely self taught in music.
Rienzi,
der Letzte Tribun, first performed in 1842, was his third opera and
first big success. The overture, containing the “Prayer” is
sometimes played today by orchestras.
The “War March,” also known as “Grand March,”
is not heard in the overture.
Edgar S Kelley (1857–1944)
studied with Clarence Eddy and then in Germany where he later returned
as a staunch advocate for American music in Europe. This is the only organ
transcription from the “Dean of American Composers,” as he was
called in 1944. This rare piece is of moderate difficulty.