by Janice Parkinson-Tucker The City Hall of Portland, Maine, contains a handsome concert hall “auditorium” which is home to a large concert organ built in 1912 by the Austin Organ Company as op. 323. This book documents the absorbing tale of the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ and the stories and controversies that whirled around it. The book follows the history of the organ from its donation to the present, and tells the colorful stories of its organists and caretakers. Included are the careers of municipal organists Will C. Macfarlane, Irvin John Morgan, Edwin H. Lemare, Charles Raymond Cronham, Alfred Brinkler, John E. Fay, Douglas Rafter, Gerald McGee, Earl L. Miller, and Ray Cornils. The author presents much previoulsy undocumented material in this tribute to the organ, often called the “Jewel of Portland.” 126 pages, many illustrations, softbound |