handsoff Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 The Christmas morning Eucharist at my church will be considerably enlivened this year when approximately 12.5% of the regular congregation will be joined in Holy Matrimony. The couple have requested that I play "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" as the concluding voluntary (not intending that the congregation should sing along). I'm perfectly happy with this but wonder if anyone knows of a suitable piece using this tune that I could offer? *Two conditions, 1) it's not too hard because I'm rubbish and 2) suitable for the organ shown in my avatar which does have a pedal board, and 3) the tune is clearly audible. Thank you in advance. * There are three types of people in this world; those that can do maths and those that can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 There is a piece by Wilbur Held in Cramer's publication 'The Church Year' (which contains Chorale Prelude type pieces for all seasons). It is straightforward and if I recall marked ff throughout (which on your organ probably means pull everything out I'd guess!). I don't know if it is published separately, or if there are any YouTube performances to view (I'm at work at the moment so can't access YT). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsoff Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks Philip, it is on YT and sounds just the job. I'll see about getting hold of a copy so that I have plenty of time to mug it up. The 8' Open, 4' Principal, 2' Piccolo + Larigot with faint and grumbly 16' Bourdon will do the trick nicely. Your quick reply is much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Fairhurst Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 There's also an enjoyable in the Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music. Might be a bit of a stretch on that organ but probably just about doable... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsoff Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks Richard, it's certainly a nice piece but I think too much of a stretch both for me and the organ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsoff Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 I've just ordered the Wilbur Held from the OHS at $10.00 + P&P. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Newnham Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Hi If piano is an option, there's a Rondo by S. Wesley that I donwloaded from the web a while back - not too difficult - I've got it in mind for the carol service at our second church, where there's no organ. Every Blessing Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsoff Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thank you Tony, but there is no piano; perhaps fortunately as my piano technique is even worse than that for the organ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Drinkell Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 The Held piece is a good one - his stuff is useful and catchy - Gebrauchsmusik of the best kind. I have the Wesley but have never managed to get enthusiastic about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handsoff Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 To add a footnote to this thread. I bought and thoroughly learned the Wilbur Held without too much difficulty and launched into it after the Eucharist/Wedding yesterday morning. Bar 6 has a top D and the organ decided to cypher on that note at that point. Had it ever done it before? No. I carried on regardless but I'm sure that even the most musically unaware in the congregation/audience must have noticed something amiss. The last chord E Major with a slightly shrieking (Piccolo 2' + Larigot) D natural wasn't as bad as it would have been in other keys, I suppose... It took a lot of vigorous note-bashing to stop the cypher. I'll put a red sticky paper dot on the key until I can fix it/ get it fixed properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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