From Philadelphia immediately following the national AGO
convention, I hopped on a plane to Belgium to begin a two-month recital tour in
Europe. Here follows an assortment of reflections as I proceed along my way, to
be continued next month.
Earl V. Kelone, 82, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died on May 10 from a stroke. He was born on November 18, 1919 in Little Rock and was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church, where he served as organist and choir director for 48 years. He also served as treasurer of the Central Arkansas AGO chapter for several years, and was an Army veteran of World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Mr. Kelone is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gertrude Kelone, a daughter, a brother, a sister, and two grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Msgr.
Rieger-Kloss Varhany, Krnov,
Czech Republic, Opus 3715
First Congregational Church,
Beloit, Wisconsin
July 1-6, 2002
This was the fourth convening of an American Guild of Organists national gathering in Philadelphia, previous conventions having occurred in 1930, 1939, and 1964. This report will, of necessity, represent only one person's schedule.
One does not usually hear the name of this beautiful Balkan country associated with that of the King of Instruments. Bulgaria is smaller than the state of Kansas; thus, it will surprise some readers to learn that this little country has organs, organists, and composers who write for the organ. Bulgaria's official religion is Orthodox Christianity, and for five centuries, until the 19th century, it was a province of the Ottoman Empire. These factors tend to mitigate against development of an organ culture.
This article will chronicle the careers and accomplishments of seven outstanding Canadian organists who were active in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
