American organ music for Christmas

[pwhodges]

I have been asked for suggestions for a couple of organ pieces to go into a programme of American carol settings. Garth Edmundson's Von Himmel hoch has already been mentioned (though we don't have a copy to hand), and I don't have sufficient knowledge of the repertoire. Any ideas?

 

Paul

[Davidb]

Pietro Yon, though an Italian by birth spent much time in America. What about Gesu Bambino, as featured towards the end of the Oxford organ music for Christmas book.

 

A glance at the same book suggests some simple chorale preludes by Wilber Held (O little town of bethlehem, there is one on Divinum Mysterium that exists elsewhere.)

 

There have definitely been Christmas pieces written by Gerre Handcock (Assistant at St. Thomas 5th avenue) and for a lighter number what about the arrangment of Leroy Andersons Sleigh Ride by Thomas Trotter? (Banks)

 

Not going to set the world alight, but maybe a start for you

[AJJ]

There's a good piece based on Go tell it on the mountain by Emma Lou Diemer - Googling should secure but if not PM me.

 

A

[Martin Cooke]

There's a good piece based on Go tell it on the mountain by Emma Lou Diemer - Googling should secure but if not PM me.

 

A

 

There's also good old Gordon Young. I bought quite a bit when I was in New York earlier this year but I have to say I am using none of it this Christmas - all quite disappointing!

[Martin Cooke]

There's also good old Gordon Young. I bought quite a bit when I was in New York earlier this year but I have to say I am using none of it this Christmas - all quite disappointing!

I meant also to suggest that you go to www.organmusiconly.com - some of the pieces advertised here are in PDF format so I think you can probably download them - I had a quick look the other day but didn't have time to pursue it. This would be a good source of American material quickly, though.

[Martin Cooke]

I meant also to suggest that you go to www.organmusiconly.com - some of the pieces advertised here are in PDF format so I think you can probably download them - I had a quick look the other day but didn't have time to pursue it. This would be a good source of American material quickly, though.

Just to confirm - I have successfully printed off two or three pieces now. You need to hunt a bit on this site as some PDFs are first pages only of several different items. The other problems is that you realise quickly that Christmas hymns are different over there. They seem to sing Angels from the Realms of Glory to Regent's Square, and they also sing an advent hymn - Watchman, Tell us of the Night to Aberystwyth. Mind you - if it's an American congregation, they may think you've done your research and have tried to make them feel at home. I'll shut up now!!

[Davidb]

Oh another piece i've just remembered

 

Richard Elliotts 'I Saw Three Ships' - It's avalible online in PDF format, and is a very good piece. A video is on youtube of it i believe

[heva]

You could ask Jonathan Orwig (see http://www.evensongmusic.net/orwigorgan.html), he's a member here; he's also written a piece on a particular animals red nose ...

[mgp]

I have been asked for suggestions for a couple of organ pieces to go into a programme of American carol settings. Garth Edmundson's Von Himmel hoch has already been mentioned (though we don't have a copy to hand), and I don't have sufficient knowledge of the repertoire. Any ideas?

 

Paul

Variations on a theme of Samuel Scheidt (Puer natus in Bethlehem) by Rebecca Groom Te Velde (OUP) - quite straightforward and well-crafted. Sample pdf here

[giwro]

You could ask Jonathan Orwig (see http://www.evensongmusic.net/orwigorgan.html), he's a member here; he's also written a piece on a particular animals red nose ...

 

...since someone mentioned me, here are a few links. All are available at the link above except the last two, which you'll have to email me for...

 

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/OrwigWenceslas.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/orwig/O...o_the_World.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/orwig/O...rald_Angels.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/orwig/O...dagioSilent.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/orwig/O...ta_Carillon.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/orwig/Orwig_Il_est_ne.mp3

you'll have to email me:

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/nasroten.mp3

http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/Fuga_a_la_Noel.mp3

 

***********

 

I'd also suggest Leonardo Ciampa's 25 pieces for Advent and Christmas

http://www.evensongmusic.net/ciampaorgan.html

 

and either of David Gotch's Variations:

http://www.evensongmusic.net/gotchorgan.html

 

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[MusingMuso]

I have been asked for suggestions for a couple of organ pieces to go into a programme of American carol settings. Garth Edmundson's Von Himmel hoch has already been mentioned (though we don't have a copy to hand), and I don't have sufficient knowledge of the repertoire. Any ideas?

 

Paul

 

------------------------

 

 

There's always the Noel Variations by Dupre and La Nativite by Langlais, but my favourite "bad hair day" moment, is Derthier's "Christmas."

 

Carlo Curley used to play it a lot, and it is almost impossible technically. Derthier was a pianist, who hated Christmas and hated the organ equally. It's a sort of revenge piece, but tremendous fun.

 

I reckon it could be learned for Christmas 2015 by an expert.

 

MM

[bombarde32]

There is always "Christmas in Sicily" by Petro Yon. Free download available too!

[pwhodges]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've passed them on, and will be told what's been chosen in due course.

 

We are performing Yon's Gesu Bambino chorally, but the last piece mentioned might be an appropriate thing to match with it.

 

Thanks,

Paul

[wolsey]

There have definitely been Christmas pieces written by Gerre Handcock (Assistant at St. Thomas 5th avenue)...

Pedant that I am: Dr Gerre Hancock was John Scott's predecessor as Director of Music at St Thomas, Fifth Avenue. His wife, Judith, was his assistant.

[sbarber49]

There is always "Christmas in Sicily" by Petro Yon. Free download available too!

Not a legal download, of course, in this country.

[AJJ]

Not a legal download, of course, in this country.

 

??

 

A

[mgp]

??

 

A

Yon died in 1943 therefore his music is in copyright in Europe until 1/1/2013

[Tony Newnham]

Yon died in 1943 therefore his music is in copyright in Europe until 1/1/2013

 

Hi

 

Unless the current copyright holder has given permission for downloads!

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

[sbarber49]

Hi

 

Unless the current copyright holder has given permission for downloads!

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

Even if he has, it's still copyright, surely? Just waived.

 

I was assuming the download of the Yon piece was from IMSLP. Is it available somewhere else, where permission has been given?

[bombarde32]

So, are we to understand that as an American Citizen (for Yon was organist at St Francis Xavier New York) that we in Europe are breaking the law downloading his music from a site (IMSLP) that positively invites us to propagate his music, and that other music by this composer is freely available on the CPDL, but if you live in America (his Home) that it is perfectly alright?

[sbarber49]

So, are we to understand that as an American Citizen (for Yon was organist at St Francis Xavier New York) that we in Europe are breaking the law downloading his music from a site (IMSLP) that positively invites us to propagate his music, and that other music by this composer is freely available on the CPDL, but if you live in America (his Home) that it is perfectly alright?

Actually, I think it 70 years in America as well, but I could be wrong about that.

 

The IMSLP site is very clear that it is the user's responsibility to make sure any download is legal.

 

Same applies to CPDL as well, of course.

 

The fact that there are sites inviting you to share illegal music and video files, not to mention software, doesn't make it legal.

[Tony Newnham]

Even if he has, it's still copyright, surely? Just waived.

 

I was assuming the download of the Yon piece was from IMSLP. Is it available somewhere else, where permission has been given?

 

Hi

 

Yes - even though copying the music might be allowed, any public performance would, in general, attract royalties for his estate - with the one exception in the UK (at present) of music used during a worship service, where no fees are payable. (The same applies to playing audio recordings within the context of worship, but strangely, not video!)

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony