Davidb

Depends on circumstances. If people can come 'all year round' then maybe they should be reminded of this If however, it is like one of my friends in my choir who is at uni, and comes back at christmas,easter and occasionally throughout the year, then i feel that is acceptable

So glad i'm not the only person who does that Paul!

I confess to trains being one of my primary interests. I volunteer on a steam railway, and have recently qualified as a guard. Its not just organists of course - Bishop Eric Tracey anyone?

Hi Marko, i take it you are looking for three seperate pieces The Introit : Turn thy face from my Sins - Thomas Attwood or 'Litany to the Holy Spirit' by Peter Hurford The Communion : Wash Me Throughly - S.S. Wesley (Who also wrote Blessed be the God and Father etc) - the text is 'Wash me Throughly from my wickedness and forgive me all my sin. For i acknowladge my faults and my sin is ever before me' The End : ... well i'll get back to you db

Thanks for that Barry. I knew Katherine in her days at Norwich as assistant, where she was both a superb player and nice lady to boot. Isn't the first job she has been offered, but all the best to her, and of course Mr. Gray. Interesting though that Guildford hasn't gone down the route of appointing a Choral Specalist...

Piet Kee does Organ Music? this i would really like to here.

a guy called Huw Watkins has written some nice stuff which is modern. Thierry Esaich? He's a contempory of Hakim in Paris has released stuff, quietly but it is a good quality if you want some for Lawrence, get the RCO's 'unbeaten tracks' book

The simon preston is a great piece - its in one of those Oxford editions, and i know some people avoid them like the plague now, as so much of the music in them is heavily dated in the 60's Release it as a single copy, or in a book fo some sort ot increase the interest me thinks

Perhaps a slight variation upon this MM, would be that if you are giving a recital at 'your' church, you put a note on the pew-sheet that you will be taking suggestions for music to play at your upcoming recital (about a month - 6weeks in advance) - then construct a program (As far as is possible) out of those suggested, with perhaps a few serious pieces

There is however a 'reharmonised' version that gives four part haromny - i forget what book it is in, but it was rather good

Amazing Grace is really an awful tune... i have yet to find a good arrangment of it. I think i might have to have a look at composing something in four parts, which could make it more tolerable for the poor souls like us with vicars who obsess over it

I have one done by a colleague of mine, which imo is far superior to any of the 'published' arrangments' i will be happy to email scans of this off if anyone wants. It uses the original orchesteral score, rather than the piano arrangment as its base. Needs three manuals to play though, and some fairly flexible thumbs It is much harder than harris though

I like both Tu es Petra, and Carillon sortie by Mulet. I'm hoping to have 'tu-es' learnt for dedication festival, it really is the most appropriate piece '(on this rock i will build thy church) The Whole set are avalible for £28 from www.musicroom.com i remember seeing if you feel up to that outlay, but noel is very nice

Have to agree with MM on this Heard John Scott playing Reubke amongst others there last year, and it was superb We all know equally that John Scott is possibly the best British Organist active (though maybe TT and Simon Preston run him close) But Buxtehude doesn't sit well on that organ.. far more suited to romantic works with broad sweeping registrations needed. What a shame it was the only organ prom this year - surely one dedicated recital each year isn't too mcuh to ask

Or perhaps we should be looking at investing time and money in gaining cathedral choristers, many of whom appear to take an interest in the Organ during their choristership. This would have the advantages of a) giving us more potential organists, organists who have full liturgical and musical knowledge and finally c) more cathedral choristers, reversing the trend of declining knowledge (and sadly, standards) in recent years

Having played the Vittoria, please tell me that is a sick joke vox...

Sadly, if it wern't for Beethoven 9 (a piece i cannot abide, 'ode to joy' is one of the most boring melodies ever, its just stepwise movement!!) we might have more brahms symphonies, after all he didn't write for so long because 'he could never match Beethoven 9' on the other hand, no 6 is a great favourite on a summers' evening not on a par with the greatest classical composer, Haydn though

The Langlais is a very nice piece Richard, and you're quite right sadly, one that isn't tremendously well known. John Scott recorded it on a disc which also included what must be a world record 27 1/2 minute (i think) ad nos, guilmant march on a theme of handel and something else. Needless to say the quality was stunning, after all, it is Mr. Scott

I've done the obligitory 'missing out the 2nd part in the psalm chant' and thus ending up on the wrong part for a few verses

Further to this, on prestoclassical's website, they are selling Ben Van Ootens arguably definitive recordings of both 'pieces en style libre' and 'pieces de fantasie' for £17 each, fantastic value.

Perhaps the time s coming for there to be a 'recommended music list' for couples... and the organist has the right to refuse anything not on those lists. Still a good 7/8 appropriate pieces for both incoming and exiting voluntarys

There is a private collector somewhere in Kent (a friend of mine did tell me where it is as he's been , but i can't remember where it is or indeed who told me) who collects old organs and pianos. He is also a friend of Carlo Curleys. (this collection is open to the public, with people free to have a supervised play) Anyway my friend told me that he was once visiting, also being a friend of the 'curator' when Carlo turned up and gave an impromptu 20 minute recital... not featuring dupre or Sinfonia to cantata 29!!

does flashing your chamade in public count as indecent exposure? or is it only when playing baroque:P

thanks for that so far guys... Vox i like your 'first' program, (especially as the Whitlock does end in a fanfare-ish way) and Sean, the Mulet might work well as a finale ( my slight reservation is that at one of the churches, i have played it for a few major services over the past year, so not sure it might not seem 'same again' type material.) The Dubois just annoys the hell out of me, theres something about *That* piece (though a number of his minatures are quite good.) If i could remove my finger and learn the end of Vierne I in a month though...

I look foward to the further views on this with interest, esp as i have got my first few recitals coming up at the end of august / begining of september. These are aimed at a generally 'populist' market, though i know in 2 of the 3 locations i will be playing this music, there are normally musically educated (or at least knowledgable) members of the congregation. They are lunchtime recitals of an hour-ish in length (+- 25%) The program is below, but before reading it, i will comment that i am happy with all bar two of these pieces (which will need learning, but with the time i have avalible having finished college and not starting uni until september this is not a problem,) and if you think a piece is particuarly inappropriate, an alternative suggestion (either a piece, composer or style) would be appreciated. <b> so the program </b> Grand Choeur in D Maj - Guilmant Knightsbridge March - Coates ( a quite fantastic arrangment, complete with some tuba solos) Prelude, Fugue et Variation - Cesar Franck Plymouth Suite - Whitlock 1. Allegro Resoluto 3. Chanty 4. Salix 5. Toccata Trio Sonata No. 1 in E Flat Major - J.S.B Rhapsody No 3 in C Sharp Minor - Howells (Somebody requested it, and having played this at services before have found it surprisingly popular) So yes, honest opinions appreciated