Arthur Bird: Music for the American Harmonium
Artis Wodehouse discovers a large body of art music composed by Arthur Bird (1856- 1923), an American living in Germany. He composed for the Mason & Hamlin American Harmonium, which was very popular in Europe and differed from the European harmonium. The 24 works are selected from five collections published in Germany 1897- 1909, plus two unpublished works. Artis Wodehouse plays a restored Mason & Hamlin. Contents: Pastoral, Op. 37, No. 10 Auf dem Lande, Op. 37, No. 9 Marsch, Op. 44, No. 1 Adagio, Op. 37, No. 3 Skizze, Op. 45, No. 1 Gavotte, Op. 44, No. 4 Preludium, Op. 37, No. 2 Offertoire, Op. 37, No. 7 Scherzo, Op. 37, No. 8 Preludium in A Minor, 1909, unpublished Fugue in A Minor, 1909, unpublished Tempo di Menuetto, Op. 41, No. 1 Valse Menuet, Op. 39, No. 2 Skizze, Op. 45, No. 3 Improvisato, Op. 37, No. 6 Reverie, Op. 37, No. 4 Meditation, Op. 37, No. 1 Marsch der Aethiopier, Op. 42 Waltzer, Op. 44, No. 3 Menuett, Op. 44, No. 2 Skizze, Op. 45, No. 2 Intermezzo, Op. 39, No. 3 Interludium, Op. 39, No. 1 Postlude, Op. 37, No. 5 2016 Raven Recordings