giwro

Hear, hear! It boggles my mind that with the THOUSANDS of fine organ pieces out there, folks will waste their time learning transcriptions! I know the argument is to "give them (the audience) something they can recognize" or some such idea, (and I understand the sentiment behind that - gotta play to the paying crowd). Problem is, there are TONS of neglected ORGAN scores lying about that ARE fine and exciting, and could be played instead. It seems the bulk of the recitalists either play the old war-horses or transcriptions - very few venture into the unknown and seek out something different to play. It really doesn't take THAT much time to do the research, and it becomes a never-ending journey of discovery - I've now simply got FAR more music than I will ever perform, but I have SO enjoyed expanding my horizons, and in the process, I have found a RAFT of wonderful neglected works. Cheers, -G

I thought of another one..... This is not a "popular" piece or pastiche, but it is sort of a naughty rendition of a well-known tune... http://evensongmusic.net/audio/OrwigWenceslas.mp3 Jazz chords and crazy 7/8 intrude upon what is usually a straightforward melody Cheers, - G

Drop me a PM or email and I'll see what I can do Cheers, -

The first is only partially mine - I found the score on the internet for free, but it only included the first part of the melody, so I expanded the piece and added to it, also bringing the melody in augmentation in the pedals and so forth. The second was written by a friend of mine, and I'll agree it is a perfect pastiche, very nicely capturing the spirit of a baroque c.p. ~~ I wish I still had contact with a fellow I knew back in 1992 or so - he wrote a set of carol arrangements that intertwined with the preludes from the 8 little of Bach, and they were a SCREAM.... they were performed for our Christmas service/party of the local American Guild of Organists chapter that year, and we all laughed mightily at the simultaneous ingenuity and audacity of his writing. Cheers, -jonathan

<chuckle> I think I posted these before, but they bear repeating: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/Fuga_a_la_Noel.mp3 and http://evensongmusic.net/audio/nasroten.mp3 The first one is obvious, the second one not so much if you're not paying attention Cheers, - Jonathan

Last spring on another board I co-sponsored a Variations contest - I submitted the theme, and participants were asked to write up to 3 variations on it. The winning variation net the writer a modest prize of $200 US, and I compiled the best 10 variations (along with my opening harmonization of the theme) into a completed work. Many of these composers had never written for the organ before, and they had a lot of fun with the project. I thought you all might enjoy hearing the result: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/variationch...iginalTheme.mp3 and a low-quality version for those still on a dial-up modem: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/variationch...inalThemeLQ.mp3 This was so much fun, that I and my co-conspiritors are going to sponsor another competition in the near future - I'm thinking about it even now... We're also thinking of making the next competition open on more than one forum or email list - I'd love to do it here also if Manders has no objection. Cheers, -Jonathan

"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" (Young) Improv on Veni Emmanuel to get them out the doors Now that California temperatures have dropped from their summer heights, the organ has settled into a decent A-440 on most mornings (it gets as high as A-447 in the summer )

Well, I have republished some of these (although I greatly hesitate to mention it, since the last time I made casual mention of my business on this board over a year ago, I was publicly and privately raked over the coals ) Suffice to say if anyone has interest, you can PM me - I'll not be saying much more about it for fear of a repeat experience. I've taken to simply posting the audio files, and not posting anything that would even remotely resemble overt advertising, and that seems to be acceptable to this board. I've truly enjoyed most of the year I've spent here otherwise - it's given me an inside look at the organ world in the UK that I never had before. Cheers, Jonathan

Glad you liked them Paul! I have recorded a fair number of these little gems, I'd be pleased to share more if there is interest... Cheers, -G Glad you liked it! Believe it or not, these pieces were taken from the old Joubert collection "Les Maitres Contemporains pour Orgue" (vol. 1 of 8). While there are a number of pieces in the 8 volumes that are of questionable quality, there are also quite a number that (while not masterpieces) are still decent service music. Best wishes, -G

But, Paul, tangential discussions usually turnout to be very fruitful! In all seriousness.... I have this Filsell CD and it is WONDERFUL... I've also got a number of Grunenwald scores, and I find that his music is VERY finely crafted, unusual and interesting. Pity it has been mostly neglected up until now. Getting back to St.-Saens - somewhere I have a recording I did of the 6 P+F a few years ago... if I can dig it out I'll post links to mp3s (assuming I still like my interpretations after all of these years!) Cheerio, -G

Arthur Colinet was a blind organist in Nantes - here are 2 charming miniatures he wrote: Communion and Toccatina Enjoy!

Well.... I have this set, and have to admit to being underwhelmed by the playing - IMHO it lacks fire and is mostly lacklustre. Some of the more familiar pieces are not badly played, but (at the risk of sounding catty) the rest sounds like sight-reading (notes only, very little emotion) I shall pull it out and have another listen - perhaps the years passed since I last heard it will cause me to have a kinder opinion. Or not. Cheers,

David Gotch has written 7 Variations on Adeste Fideles, full of colorful and ingenious takes on the theme. Each variation has a descriptive title: I - Theme II - He is Born III - Lullaby IV - The Three Wise Men V - Joseph, Mary and Jesus Travel to Egypt VI - King Herod's Troubled Spirit and Wrath VII - Angelic Bells VIII - Heaven and Earth Rejoice at His Birth you may hear all 8 mvts in HQ mp3 (14mb) at: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/GotchVaronAdeste.mp3 or in LQ for dial-up (2.32mb) http://evensongmusic.net/audio/LQ/GotchVaronAdeste.mp3 Enjoy!

ah yes... MIDI files and Hauptwerk..... <chuckle> I like your description: "seeing a virtual organ having a near eplileptic fit" There are all SORTS of things one can do with transcriptions on a "virtual" organ (many of which are not humanly possible, but are at least entertaining!) Just yesterday I was looking through the Durufle Danses op. 6 as arranged by the composer for piano 2h, and wondering if and how one might translate them to organ (albeit better with the orchestral score also at hand!) Care to share any recordings of your experiments? <grin>

Just received a new recording of my Toccata-Flourish and Fugue on "Wachet Auf", thought you folks might enjoy a listen: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/OrwigWachetTFF.mp3 Cheerio, -Jonathan

Well.... I'd have to agree with your history on improv, and the reality of needing to teach it still... I have been to a number of improv workshops, and every one has given me some new tricks to throw in my bag. I also have to admit that a number of my compositions are reworked improvs (!) I've also corresponded with a kind organist or two (one such from France) who have given critique and sugestion for my improvising. I doubt I'll ever get to the level of improvising a fugue (came close a few times when I was diligently practicing improv every day). In my estimation, if one is going to improvise for services regularly, one should undertake to PRACTICE and STUDY improv, and get better at it. It is so easy to get in a rut and end up resorting to one's usual tricks otherwise(!) ~~ I have the great fortune to have a number of live recordings of great improvisors, and the best of them were/are nothing short of stunning. Some of Dupré's stuff sounds like a finished composition, Cochereau too (except on the rare ones that it sounds like he's messing around while he decides what to do!). Then I have heard some fabulous improvising by the Germans as well, and of course David Briggs.. I'm not at that level, nor will I be, since my schedule doesn't allow for proper practice, but I _can_ get better at it in small ways. I think one of the KEY things you mention is a thought-out plan... when I just sit down and start playing without at least having a basic structure in mind, I find my improvs very unsatisfying. The moments that I have felt best about it are when I have sudden inspiration for an improv on a particular tune, and almost simultaneously receive the idea for the structure, key centers and overall plan. Moments like those are transcendant (and alas, far too infrequent in my world) Cheers, Jonathan

I'll bring us back to the topic a bit.... I've lately been exploring repertoire from the old collection "Les Maitres Contemporains pour orgue" (J. Joubert, pub. 1911-1914). To be sure, there are a number of pieces therein which are much better forgotten, but also there are a number which are quite fine. Some are manuals only, some are 3-stave and others can take a bit of judicious addition of the pedal to a presumably "manuals-only". Here are a few clips: Joseph Boulnois - Quatre Pieces: http://evensongmusic.net/audio/BoulnoisQ1NDL.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/BoulnoisQ2NDL.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/BoulnoisQ3NDL.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/BoulnoisQ4NDL.mp3 Blanche Rozan - Communion http://evensongmusic.net/audio/roznanComm.mp3 Jean Vadon - Grand Choeur and Toccata sur Haec Dies et O Filii http://evensongmusic.net/audio/VadonGCD.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/VadonToccata.mp3 Armand Vivet - Toccata http://evensongmusic.net/audio/VadonToccata.mp3 René Blin - Rosace and Offertoire http://orwig.blackiris.com/blin_rosace.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/BlinOffertoire.mp3 None of these are really masterpieces, but they are mostly all well-crafted pieces, and either sight-readable or nearly so. Cheers, Jonathan

It _is_ a bit easier to make a living as an organist over here, but I think it's simply because we have a big country and a lot more full-time positions. I have a full-time position, but since I either direct or rehearse with 4 different groups, it leaves very little time for organ practice. The good news is that I can be a musician, and not have to work elsewhere to support myself and my family. Our yearly budget is in excess of $500k, over 1/2 of which accounts for staff salaries and benefits. Competition is pretty fierce, though - there were 40 applicants for the position I currently have, only 2 of the 40 were considered seriously after the initial vetting by the committee. If you are well-rounded as a musician, have good people skills and are willing to be flexible (read: lead the worship band as WELL as the choir without complaining) you can easily rise to the top. It doesn't hurt to be good at self-promotion and such tasks as writing a good CV or resume, as well as being able to write well and think on one's feet while being fired questions by a committee will be helpful as well. My $0.02 from THIS side of the pond Jonathan Orwig

I'm not sure if one would consider these pieces "hits", since the composers are pretty obscure, but they are both known to me only by a single work: Lazare Auguste Maquaire - Symphonie pour Orgue http://evensongmusic.net/audio/MaquaireSym1mvt1.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/MaquaireSym1mvt2.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/MaquaireSym1mv3.mp3 http://evensongmusic.net/audio/MaquaireSym1mvt4.mp3 Maurice le Boucher (student of Faure) Symphonie pour orgue http://evensongmusic.net/audio/LeBoucherSymphonieE.mp3 In the USA both of these scores are considered to be in the Public Domain, I'm not sure of le Boucher outside of the US, but Maquaire is for sure, as he's been dead nearly 100 years now. There is a commercial recording of the Maquaire out there - think it's on the Aeolus label, but I've NEVER heard another recording of the le Boucher Regards, Jonathan

The Suite is actually a very fine work - I was in the process of learning it at one point.... That Toccata is NOT an easy beast Regards, Jonathan

I have the Bowyer recording, yes.... I agree the outer movements might be less-inspired, but that Adagio can reduce me to a puddle any day of the week Someday I really need to get THAT score, too. I think I have the same PDF you have - John got his copy from me awhile back... it's odd how such a short little piece has created so much interest! Best, Jonathan

I am Jonathan Orwig from Grand Terrace, California USA... I dabbled with music growing up - played piano, violin and French Horn... My father was a minister in a small independent church, he convinced me to help out with the music from about the age of 15 or so until I left home for college Went off to study, had no idea what I wanted to do... finally settled on music, first as an organ major, then switched to voice after a bad hand injury, finally convinced the dept, head to allow me to study composition... As a silly 23-year-old, got married, ended up quitting college, moved several times (and had some really odd jobs) Finally started directing music at a church in Florida full-time for pay, then moved to Michigan to do the same in a Methodist church which had a Phelps Casavant orgelbewegung special with chiffing strings(!). Went through a divorce, decided to go back and finish school at the age of 29 (ye gods, surrounded by teenagers!) Finally graduated from college with a degree in Church Music, emphasis in composition (1994). Since graduation, I've directed music in 3 churches, my most recent post has lasted almost 8 years so far, and I'm fortunate to be able to make a living wage at it (although as a musical jack-of-all trades, I don't spend NEAR enough time in practice, and consequently my technique suffers). I married again, this time as an older and wiser person, and have been married for 7 years to my wonderful wife Lindsay - we have no children, but 2 cats and a terminally happy Golden Retriever. I have my own publishing company, and have made a nice side business of selling organ music via the internet. Musically, I love the organ (of course) and am currently writing a book on the Organ Symphony. I also love exploring obscure organ music, and have a special place in my heart for chamber music - especially string quartets. I'm fortuante to have made many dear friends across the globe thanks to the internet, and enjoy reading your posts here, even if I don't always have time to enter into the discussion. Best Regards, Jonathan Orwig http://www.evensongmusic.net

Hermann Schroeder wrote a fine Sonata for 'cello and organ - I have the score and have heard a recording - it's a fine piece Best, Jonathan

I'd submit Paul de Maleingreau.... Poor guy, not only is he noted for one piece, but simply for a single MOVEMENT therin(!) From his Symphonie de la Passion (written BEFORE Dupré's, BTW) "Tumult in the Praetorium" ~~ Most of us are likely unaware that he wrote 2 FURTHER organ Symphonies, and a total of over 100 opus numbers(in various genres), only 30-40 of which were ever published. ~~ Some chaps deserve to be one-hitters.... (just explore their further output) some were simply never championed by influential people... ~~~ One more - Jean Berveiller, made famous by Jeanne Demessieux and her performance of his "Mouvement". Most are unaware he wrote also a fine Suite (very similar in concept to an organ Symphonie, and with a RAVISHING Adagio movement) as well as 2 other organ works. I'm told that all of the rest of his works remain unpublished (along with the elusive Mouvement) Cheerio,

Here is the first of Charles Quef's 12 pieces "Pour Paques"... a fantasy on O Filii. Quef was a pupil of Dubois, Guilmant and Widor, and succeded Guilmant at La Trinite http://evensongmusic.net/audio/Quef/12-1.mp3 (HQ 7.07mb) http://evensongmusic.net/audio/LQ/12-1.mp3 (LQ 1.17mb) This would make a GREAT prelude for Easter Sunday... it has that wonderful trait of sounding MUCH more difficult than it is <grin> Enjoy!