Westgate Morris Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 Hello: Similar to my last thread.... I may be starting to late but I want to learn some serious rep. (again). Recently being invited to play at the cathedral, I was embarrassed that I couldn't pull out a 8 - 12 min prelude or even two solid 6 min pieces. I ended up playing the 3 Lit. Preludes by Oldroyd. It felt like a set and that was my attempt at playing something "English." I want to spend my limited time learning something I need not be embarrassed about. Alain? Mendelssohn Organ Sonata movements? So the lines are open... what do you say. WM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Cooke Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 My favourites would include the Bridge Adagio in E major, the first 5 of the 6 Howells Psalm-Preludes, some Whitlock, though these aren't of great length - try Folk Tune, Dolcezza, Fidelis all in an OUP album Complete Shorter Organ Works by Whitlock. There's a lovely piece by Noel Rawsthorne based on the Londonderry Air published by Mayhew, some of Malcolm Archer's slow pieces are very pleasing on the ear (maybe a bit Radio 2!). Lots and lots of JSB chorale preludes fit the bill. Thalben-Ball Tune in E is really rather lovely. Try some Rheinberger Sonata movements - Sonata 11 comes to mind - Mendelssohn 1st Sonata, 2nd movt is beautifully crafted. Parry Chorale Preludes: try Rockingham and Melcombe. Hope that's enough to get started with! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted September 18, 2006 Share Posted September 18, 2006 If you want off the beaten track stuff: Felton Rapley: Pastoral Improvisation. I heard this played on the radio about 30 years ago and have never heard of anyone doing it since. But it's really very pleasant. English pastoral idiom and very orchestral in conception (it would make a good orchestration exercise). Not at all "churchy" - in fact just ever so slightly "easy listening" in tone. Needs a Tuba for the central climax. Liszt: Salve regina Grade 2 ABRSM. Don't scoff - it's really quite atmospheric! Demessieux: "Twelve Chorale Preludes on Gregorian Chant Themes". Some of these make good pre-service pieces, particularly Rorate coeli and In manus tuas. Carl Piutti: Chorale Preludes There are two volumes of these published by Bärenreiter. They're all easy; most are sight-readable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 More mainstream: Vierne: Clair de lune So sensuous! J. L. Krebs: O König dessen Majestät Or quite a few of his other chorale preludes for that matter, but this one has the dimensions and feel of one of Bach's "Eighteen". Duruflé: Sicilienne (from the Suite) Tricky, but well worth the bother. Howells: Siciliano for a High Ceremony An under-rated piece. Not played so much as his other pieces, maybe because its gentle lilt doesn't appeal to those who like their Howells indulgently mushy. Nevertheless it is quintessential Howells. Lübeck: Ich ruf' zu dir A fairly lengthy, but very inventive chorale fantasia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Talking of under-rated composers, have you thought of trying Caleb Simper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Coram Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 a Tuba <{POST_SNAPBACK}> aagh! you taunt. well - most of the 18 Chorales as already spake, Howels PsPr Set 1 nr 1 and Bridge Adagio in E I have in my posession some rather wonderful but unknown chorale preludes etc by Anthony Scott, a Howells/Finzi pupil who had a bad experience with a publisher in the 1950's and just put the rest of his considerable output (1950-2001) in the airing cupboard - copies by PM Quite a few of the Vierne 24 Messiaen banquet celeste Franck Chorales 1 and 2 are mostly fairly settled in mood but get big in the middle - 2 is the finest piece ever written by anyone Or, better still, learn to improvise - then you can just open the hymn book at random and make something that fits the mood perfectly. It is really very easy to do. PM Nigel Allcoat and get his Masterclass CD's, or keep an eye out for him or David Briggs appearing near you & ask for a lesson. Once you've mentally grabbed a couple of basic frameworks it's really quite possible to do away with pre-service music altogether. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Hello: Similar to my last thread.... I may be starting to late but I want to learn some serious rep. (again).Recently being invited to play at the cathedral, I was embarrassed that I couldn't pull out a 8 - 12 min prelude or even two solid 6 min pieces. I ended up playing the 3 Lit. Preludes by Oldroyd. It felt like a set and that was my attempt at playing something "English." I want to spend my limited time learning something I need not be embarrassed about. Alain? Mendelssohn Organ Sonata movements? So the lines are open... what do you say. WM <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ================== You should always strive to play musically, whatever the technical level. So why not REALLY seriously beautiful music? "Te luce ante termini" - Dupre "Berceuse" Vierne "Aria" Flor Peeters Almost any of the simpler Bach Chorale Preludes MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAB Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 I would put in a very strong bid for Rawsthorne's Aria published by Kevin Mayhew - worth its weight in gold. I have played it in concerts, before services, after services, as a quiet encore and it never lets me down. I seem to recall it was set for AB Grade 5 or 6. Run, don't walk, to buy this piece. I have recently been introduced to Stephen Burtonwood's music which is well worth exploring ; Herbert Howells meets Rachmaninoff and they walk across the downs to Choral Evensong together whilst the clock stands still at ten to three ; you get the picture. His Cantilena is not difficult but hits the spot every time. As for Howells himself, I am coming to the view that the E flat prelude in the middle of the first set (But the meek shall inherit the Earth) is, perhaps, the best of the lot. All that English regret. Thalben Ball's Elegy in B flat is a classic of the type; it has the reputation (undeserved in my view) as corny, but played straight it shows itself to be a fine piece which is ideal before a service. Finally, William Harris' Prelude in E flat is a perfect miniature - the first of the Four Pieces. Lots to enjoy there ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 in fact just ever so slightly "easy listening" in tone. Needs a Tuba for the central climax. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJJ Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Now then chaps - lets not get too over excited!! AJJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westgate Morris Posted September 19, 2006 Author Share Posted September 19, 2006 A Tuba, Argh................. inside joke? Tuba envy? WM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vox Humana Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! Yes, I know. But this is the sort of music you stir with a wooden spoon. The Tuba is the dumpling in the stew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 A Tuba, Argh................. inside joke? Tuba envy? WM <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Tuba envy?? God, no! Just a comment on the lack of taste.... Personally speaking, I always manage a very nice climax without the aid of a tuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Talking of under-rated composers, have you thought of trying Caleb Simper? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> BARF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 You could try Pierre Cochereau's Berceuse à la Mémoire de Louis Vierne. This is a very beautiful piece.... .... and it does not need a tuba. Goody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Or, better still, learn to improvise - then you can just open the hymn book at random and make something that fits the mood perfectly. It is really very easy to do. PM Nigel Allcoat and get his Masterclass CD's, or keep an eye out for him or David Briggs appearing near you & ask for a lesson. Once you've mentally grabbed a couple of basic frameworks it's really quite possible to do away with pre-service music altogether. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I can certainly recommend David Briggs as a teacher of improvisation. There is also the Berceuse by George Baker, who is a Texan organist and a former pupil of Cochereau. How about Rheinberger? Sonata No. 8 is a good work, with one or two suitable middle movements. Also the Quinze Versets de Vêpres du Commun, by Marcel Dupré. Then there are various movements from symphonies by Vierne and Widor. For example, the Andante Cantabile, from Widor's 4me Symphonie; the Adagio from the 5me Symphonie; the Pastorale (ii) and the Adagio (v) from the 2me Symphonie. Then there is the Adagio from Vierne's 3me Symphonie. Or the wonderful Choral (ii) from his 2me Symphonie - however, this movement ends stunningly on the tutti, with one of the most sublime conclusions in the repertoire. Alternatively, purchase a few CDs of players and works which may be unfamiliar to you - you may discover one or two previously-unknown gems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Coram Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 As I have had lots (well, 6) emails about Anthony Scott organ pieces, here are links to recordings: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/coramdc/index_files/martyrdom.mp3 http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/coramdc/index_files/adorote.mp3 http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/coramdc/index_files/lincoln.mp3 Guess what stop is featured in the last one? That's right, it's a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 CENSORED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Coram Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 CENSORED. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah, yes, but it's a Mander/Frostick stop, so it's fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Fairhurst Posted September 19, 2006 Share Posted September 19, 2006 Vaughan Williams' Rhosymedre? (Not that I can play it. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Lauwers Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Dear Mister Coram, Since long I am in search of sound files illustrating *some strange* things in order to present them to continental organists and builders on my french forum. So thanks and go on! (Would you by the way have some others? I would not dare place the wanted- list here since read ink could invade the screen... ) Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Dear Mister Coram, Since long I am in search of sound files illustrating *some strange* things in order to present them to continental organists and builders on my french forum. So thanks and go on! (Would you by the way have some others? I would not dare place the wanted- list here since read ink could invade the screen... ) Pierre <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ===================== Well, there is Whitlock.....fine. There is Caleb Simper....less fine Then there is HH.......... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Coram Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Pierre, Try http://www.ohscatalog.com/enco.html Superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 ===================== Well, there is Whitlock.....fine. There is Caleb Simper....less fine Then there is HH.......... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! MM <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hmmm.... I think that I would have put HH in advance of the other two, however much one may dislike his music. Unless, of course, you were joking "MM". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Lauwers Posted September 20, 2006 Share Posted September 20, 2006 Thanks, David, I am rather in search of on-line files, though; recordings I have some, and either it is not allowed to put them on-line, either they are on old LPs and I do not have what's needed to digitalize them. There should be a british equivalent to "Aeoline.de" in order to illustrate -and promote- the british organ's peculiarities before all are "enlightened" -I mean, replaced with spanish Trumpets etc. ( ) Pierre Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now