giwro

Paponaud's Iste confessor :-)

Hello all, A dear friend of mine wrote this piece recently in homage to his organ teacher: Advent Emerald I confess to being quite taken with the harmonies and unusual working-out of this familiar tune. Alas, my repertoire for Advent is already planned (and Advent is nearly past). By all means, I plan to play it next year, however. Recording posted with permission of the composer. Enjoy, - G (girding up for the impending 3 Christmas Eve services, and recovering from an Arctic -18C that arrived last night!)

<blushes> I try to be friendly <chuckle> What use is this kind of forum if we can't help one another out? I've replied to Philip via PM, but I'll give some further links/suggestions below: Fuga a la Noel the eponymous above-mentioned Rudolph my own Toccata Nervosa Best to all, - G

I had the pleasure of hearing Steven Tharp in concert this summer at the American Guild of Organists convention - he certainly has the technique and temperament to play this music... He played one Demessieux piece at the concert (the Nativite, IIRC). I would prefer the Tharp recording if for no other reason than part of it is a t St.-Ouen.... I could listen to that organ over and over and never tire of it. Cheers, - G

Still Unpublished: Morceau in D minor without Opus Intermezzo in G major without Opus I would hope to also see the remainder of her non-organ works published soon. Best regards, - G

Dear friends, I have just received word from Sylviane Falcinelli that a new disc has been released of her mother's music. I had written her and promised to do whatever I could to promote the awareness of Rolande's music, so I copy below the information she sent: ~~~ NOUVEAUTÉ Oeuvres de Rolande Falcinelli · (1920 – 2006) AZÃN Élise Battais –Flûte Philippe Brandeis –Orgue Cathédrale St-Louis des Invalides à Paris De l’Orient à l’Occident, un parcours à travers l’œuvre de Rolande Falcinelli qui ouvrit de nouveaux horizons à l’orgue. Compositrice à part entière, elle nous emmène de l’Iran musulman (Azân pour flûte et orgue) aux mythes hindouïstes (Krishna Gopala pour flûte seule), et impose sa griffe aux facettes profanes et liturgiques de l’orgue. La flûtiste Élise Battais et Philippe Brandeis - organiste titulaire à Saint-Louis des Invalides, instrument sur lequel furent créées maintes œuvres de Rolande Falcinelli, et au Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, instrument dont elle fut titulaire - servent cette musique depuis de nombreuses années. Azān pour flûte et orgue a été créé à Saint-Louis-des-Invalides. Krishna-Gopala pour flûte seule, Cor Jesu Sacratissimum, Salve Regina, les études de l’Initiation à l’Orgue, constituent des premières discographiques. Le juvénile Triptyque Litanies, Rondel et Fugue, et le Cortège Funèbre complètent le programme. TT: 66'43. Le disque est disponible dès octobre 2008. ~~~ The disc is available from Hortus - 2, rue Diderot 92600 Asnières (France) – E-mail : editionshortus@wanadoo.fr It is new enough that my usual channels of distribution have not yet gotten it, but I imagine it will become available shortly. If you wish to get it directly from Hortus, you can email them for the IBAN details. I am excited to see this release - I especially love the Cor Jesu Sacratissimum - it is a wonderful set of variations (a favorite tool of Falcinelli) that goes through many moods. I am especially fond of Falcinelli's imaginative registrations in this piece. If you love the rich and arresting sounds and harmonies of the Dupré school, you can't go wrong with this music. As I don't have the CD, I cannot speak yet to the performances, but being that it was produced with the blessing of the Composer's daughter and played by performers closely related to her, I think we can safely believe the music closely reflects what the composer might have wished. Best regards, - G

....and here is the Bm P+F (#4) Hope you enjoy these! - G

Greetings! Some of you may remember an earlier post of Henry Martin's P+F in Em - I'm pleased to say he continues to write on his proposed set of 24 for the organ, and has recently completed the next 2 in the series. I've not gotten the Bm recording yet, but here shared for your enjoyment (and with the blessing of the composer) is #3: Prelude and Fugue in D-Major I've also received permission to share a recording of the P+F in G, made by Ken Cowan: Prelude and Fugue in G When I get the recording of #4, I'll post it to this thread as well. Do enjoy! - G

I've sent you an email about this... Best, G

<chuckle> ...and it really is quite fun to play - there's a couple of spots where he writes something other than what you expect, so it does pay to be watchful and actually play what's written instead of anticipating what one THINKS is coming next. I also found that this piece really comes alive only when careful attention is paid to phrasing. If I were teaching, I'd probably choose to use it to illustrate a number of concepts... it's also far easier of one has a GT > CH manual transfer - it all made perfect sense after I tried it that way (finally!) My best, -G

I think I posted that to IMSLP, if memory serves.... There's a YouTube of it for whatever reason, I've been quite obsessed with the piece... probably far out of proportion to its worth <chuckle> My best, - G

René Émile Camille BLIN, born November 13, 1884 in Somsois (Marne Department, France), started a law degree, but then abandoned it to become the pupil of Joseph Jemain, Alexandre Guilmant, and Vincent d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum. He wrote masses, motets, Noëls, melodies, as well as music for the piano and for the violin. He succeeded Joseph Boulnois as organist at Ste-Élisabeth-du-Temple (Paris) in 1910. Interestingly, Léonce de Saint-Martin, organist at Notre-Dame, dedicated one of his works in 1940 to “René Blin, organiste de chœur de N.D. de Paris”, indicating that Blin also played at the choir organ at Notre-Dame. It is unclear if Blin resigned from Ste-Élisabeth to take up this position, or if he kept both positions until his death in 1951. Blin also dedicated a piece to Saint-Martin, his Rosace for organ, a sensual and haunting Impressionist evocation of the changing colors of a stained-glass window as the sun sets. In addition to the pieces I've already mentioned, Blin wrote a monumental 62-page Symphonie in Bb for organ, Trois Pièces, Toccata, Suite Héroïque, Fugue, Marche Funèbre, Offertoire pour la Présentation de la Sainte Vierge, Fughetta sur le "Ite missa est", Litanies, Memento Verbi Tui, Stella Matutina and Refugium pecatorum. I'd dearly love to find the last 11 in this list, as I have not been able to locate them, and if they are of similar quality to the rest of his works, it would be wonderful to see them come once again to light and be played. (part of this information comes from a post on another forum, I suspect from one of the members who also frequents here, the rest from Henderson and other various sources) Here are recordings of 3 of the works: Marche Nuptiale Offertoire Choral varie It's all good fun (although the Marche is a bit over-the-top). The Symphonie is really a far better piece, aside from being a bit long at 62 pages(!) Do enjoy,

Just a follow-up the the Falcinelli Fiasco A while ago I received music WAV files and information about someone claiming to have made the Falcinelli recording. Unfortunately, I did not investigate closely enough before agreeing to try to promote the recording and made the YouTube video myself. It appears as if I have also been the victim of a rather elaborate practical joke or hoax - I received several private messages on YouTube, all encouraging me to check deeper into this "recording" I was editing, and advising me that it would be wise to remove the video. I immediately removed the video from YouTube, deleted the audio files and have advised the person who sent them that I no longer wish to be associated with their project, and that if they are wise they should stop doing things like this. I am embarrassed by having been pulled into this situation, and in the future will be checking facts much more closely before accepting any further projects from people I do not know. Best regards,

Here's one just arrived Enjoy,

edited

Another one from me This piece certainly does not deserve the obscurity into which it has descended - I confess to having become quite obsessed by it since stumbling across the work a few years ago. I finally played it as a voluntary last fall, and was even more taken by it as I learned the piece. Maybe I'm nuts, but..... Enjoy!

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This is Henry Martin's P+F in Em, premiered at the 2008 AGO convention Twin Cities. This piece and its companion in G-Major were commissioned by Michael Barone for the 25th anniversary of the Pipedreams radio program. http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/MartinPFinEm.mp3 (7.98mb, 190kbps) http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/LQ/MartinPFinEm.mp3 (1.32mb LQ 32kbps) I must say (with admitted bias on my part, since Henry is my friend) that with organ music of this calibre being written, there is cause for rejoicing for the future of the genre. (do note I post this with Henry's permission) Do enjoy, - G

I just heard Rachel Laurin at the American Guild of Organists convention last week (and met her). She has just released her 1st Organ Symphonie with Wayne Leopold Editions, I got my copy there She's written some stunning stuff, IMHO, and is working steadfastly on more (and she's a fine performer to boot!) Best, G

I've explored a little of this - of those above that I've seen or heard: Doppelbauer - wrote some fantastic music... a wonderful Toccata and Fugue In Memoriam Maurice Ravel (just got the score to that one) and a number of other works. Although they are not often played, they are effective pieces and would be a nice change from the usual. Here a clip from his Partita Gregoriana Heiller's works are also quite fine - I've got a number of the scores (including a Sonate that's difficult but rewarding) Here a short clip of his CP on Valet will ich der geben Kropfreiter is a mixed bag - some of his stuff is quite wonderful and listenable (like the Toccata Francese mentioned earlier), some of it is just plain ugly (IMHO). When I was working at a music store, I ordered couple of the Sonates, I was disappointed at what I received, as I felt the dissonance of the music was such that learning the work wasn't worth my effort. He did write 3 pieces for Organ and Oboe that are simply magical: Meditativ Grotsk-Zwielichtig Variativ I'd also mention the music of Georg Trexler and Sigfrid Reda, both neglected but worthy of further investigation. Cheers, - G

More like a brother to Reger.... Fahrmann wrote 14 sonatas and a host of other works - many are fiendishly difficult. I have a copies of 2 of the Sonatas... Incidentally, I requested that Sibley scan the above item - I was pleased to have it show up in my notification email from them yesterday. You all really need to go to their site and browse the downloads (search) there is a RAFT of obscure music available! Best, - G

Thanks, Alastair! I've sent a quick note off to Geoffrey and also to Adrian. ~~ Anyone else have further leads/information? Best, G

Hello friends, As my research continues on the Organ Symphony book, I am trying to get information on a number of pieces that I have not been able to track down. Below are a few of the ones I'm working on right now (all from the British Isle except the first one): Allouard-Carny, Odette (b. 1914) FR – Symphonie de la lumière, 1966. As far as I can tell, this piece has not been published. Henderson states that it is a 16-minute work, I've found no further information from other sources. Allouard-Carny studied with Victor-Dynam Fumet and has been organist at Sainte-Anne-de-la-Maison-Blanche in Paris. I'd need some help from a French-speaking member for this one - Pierre perhaps? Ideally someone who could have a look at the score (or even get a copy - it's probably in a French Library somewhere) Brindle, R.S. – (1917-2003) – ENG – Organ Symphony, 1979. Brindle was a composer and professor of music at Surrey University. He studied with Luigi Dallapiccola, Ildebrando Pizzetti and Bruno Bartolozzi. The Symphony was published by Oecemuse, I've not heard if it has been taken up by any other firm since the demise of that company, and I know of no recording of the work. Anyone have an idea where to find this? Demuth, Norman – (1898-1968) ENG Symphony, 1957. Fish, Adrian – (b.1956) ENG Symphony “Pange Lingua”. This work was published by the now-defunct Oecemuse, and I've not found a new source for it. Fish was an organist in London, and now works in broadcasting. There is no available commercial recording. Holloway, Frederick – (1873-1954) Symphony in E-minor (I have 2 movements of this as well as the entire 2nd Symphony... looking for the missing movements from Sym. 1) ~~~~ Anyone who can provide further information other than what is here (or help obtain scores, recordings, etc.)? I'd really appreciate any help I can get. Best, - G

A public thanks, Paul! This _is_ supposed to be how it works... I've been on several boards and email lists, and for the most part the good (such as this) far outweighs the bad. I'll say this - as I have slogged through getting information for my Organ Symphonie book, numerous kind folk from all across the globe have generously given of their time and sent scores, recordings and contact info for composers and their heirs so I could obtain the information I seek. To this date, NONE would accept any remuneration (although a few composers did ask for me to buy the scores, which is indeed fair). I have seen and heard music that has never (or rarely) been heard and seen. I have made a host of friends who love the organ and its music. For once, in this sometimes sad and sorry world, this is something that seems to have gone VERY right, and it makes me feel proud to be a part of a worldwide community of organists that try very much to be decent, giving people. Bravo, Paul!

I'd be willing to donate copies of rare scores from either my personal collection or my reprint service to be included on the CD... Those seriously interested in this venture can contact me privately for details. Best, - G