Interesting/fun organ pieces [Archive]

CaperFlutist

07-01-2006, 02:57 PM

steverequiem

07-01-2006, 04:00 PM

"Count Your Blessings" by Dan Miller
"Orb and Scepter" by William Walton
"Trumpet Tune in D" by David Johnson

Jason E

07-01-2006, 07:44 PM

These are fun and pose no great difficulties:

Karg-Elert Nun Danket alle Gott
Bridge Adagio in E
Whitlock Folk Tune (from 5 Short Pieces)
Walford Davies Solemn Melody
Vierne Berceuse (from 24 pieces en style libre)
Messiaen Le Banquet Celeste
Gigout Scherzo (from Dix pieces)
Gordon Young Prelude in Classic Style (very easy- you'll have it up and running in no time- and everyone loves it!)

Don Furr

07-02-2006, 03:16 AM

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-02-2006, 08:25 AM

Anything by Lefebure-Wely seems to be fun, although some of the Sorties (eg. G minor) are a bit more difficult. There is an absolutely beautiful piece of his, which went down a storm at a recent wedding - entitled Andante: Choeur des Voix Humaines. I got the score for free off the internet, but unfortunately can't remember where - feel free to e-mail me if you would like me to send it.

Here's a few other suggestions:
Percy Whitlock - Plymouth Suite
Pietro Yon - Toccatina for the Flutes
George Thalben-Ball - Elegy
Max Reger - Suite, Op.92, Nine Pieces, Op.129 (These are a LOT easier than his other stuff, believe me!)
C.S. Lang - Tuba Tune in D major
Edwin Lemare - Marche Moderne
Augustin Barie - Toccata in B minor

Plus anything by Elgar; some of the movements of the Widor and Vierne symphonies are a little more manageable (ie. Adagios from Vierne's 1st and 3rd).

Have fun!

Jason E

07-02-2006, 10:12 AM

Tim- some of those above are spilling over from the "toccata" thread. I'm a great fan of Whitlock and I posted his toccata there.

Here are a few others that aren't too difficult:

Bossi: Scherzo in G minor
Charles Stebbins: In Summer

And since Lefebure-Wely was brought up, let us go one step further into the realm of the silly:

Batiste: Four Grand Offertoires de Sainte-Cecile. Unbelievably dated music, but easy to play if you have a good manual technique. With a few exceptions the pedal parts make no special demands.

Cheers!
Jason

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-02-2006, 10:40 AM

Jason E

07-02-2006, 10:56 AM

Sorry about that - silly me!

Ah yes - Edouard Batiste! Some of that is wonderful fun. Some of those Elevations and Offortoires are excellent stuff - rarely played though.

I believe Bardon Music are reprinting a lot of Batiste's works, with many already available for purchase.
Oh dear, just when I thought it was safe.... okay I'll be honest: I've secretly been waiting for a good slap-dash recording (on a French instrument, please) of some of Batiste's more memorable claptrap. Christopher Herrick has done a few on Hyperion...

Cheers,
Jason

Jason E

07-02-2006, 11:01 AM

I totally agree with your comment about Prelude in Classic Style.* BUT, even more fun to play is Gordon's....POMPOUS MARCH.* Everybody just loves that piece.

Don

Don't know that one. Gordon Young was incredibly prolific (over 1000 published works?) and I think the signal to noise ratio is rather high, but there is some good stuff amongst the dross. Not much of it appears to be available in the UK at the moment.

Cheers,
Jason

CaperFlutist

07-02-2006, 03:51 PM

Thank you. I will check out those pieces soon:)

diaphone32

07-03-2006, 03:50 PM

The 'Recessional' by William Matthias isa nice new spazzy piece to try. I just did it for anexam a week ago.

Jason E

07-03-2006, 07:21 PM

The 'Recessional' by William Matthias is*a nice new spazzy piece to try. I just did it for an*exam a week ago.
Agreed! Try the Toccata Giocosa too. Not terribly difficult, and fun for all!

soubasse32

07-04-2006, 04:30 AM

I just played the Mathias Postlude two Sundays ago. Another fun piece...

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-04-2006, 08:20 AM

I occasionally use the Mathias Fanfare as a postlude - this is quite an interesting organ piece, and not too difficult at all. Given the chance, I probably would play some of his other works.

robmcw

07-04-2006, 03:15 PM

An interesting fanfare is Larry Kings, 'Fanfares to the Tongues of Fire'. I first bumped into this piece from a recording by Fred Swan called 'Music from the Riverside vol.1' (He also re-recorded it on 'The Great Organs of First Church vol,1' Gothic Records). It was commissioned in recognition of the installation of the Trompeta Majestatis. (the big 'Honk' on the west wall of the Riverside Church) I performed this piece a while ago and the audience loved it, with its atmospheric and at times dissonant tonal picture. Once in the hands, its a blast to play! Its published by Hinshaw Music in a collection called 'Majestic Trumpet for Organ'.

Rob

Jason E

07-04-2006, 05:22 PM

I first encountered Larry King's Fanfare on a Gothic CD, "Music from Trinity Church". Great stuff. Also Revelations of St. John the Divine. King seems to have left our world some years back. That is very sad.

Speaking of fanfares, I found a really cool one by Alec Wyton on a Delos CD by Samuel Soria. Just terrific! It could be a welcome stand-in for the ubiquitous John Cook which is even popular in the UK. That CD (from Los Angeles) has the fastest Bach Wedge I can recall in recent memory.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-05-2006, 08:05 AM

I heard excerpts of that CD on the radio, and that Fanfare is quite a piece! I'm not sure who it is published with, though.

I rather like some of those ceremonious pieces by the ever-great Francis Jackson, of York Minster fame.

Jason E

07-05-2006, 02:00 PM

Which fanfare were you talking about- King or Wyton?

I'm very fond of Francis Jackson, both as organist and composer.

soubasse32

07-05-2006, 08:34 PM

I have the music to the King Fanfare but it is pretty tricky to play. I'm not sure it would go over in my church. Or on my instrument. [:(]

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-06-2006, 09:44 AM

Which fanfare were you talking about- King or Wyton? I'm very fond of Francis Jackson, both as organist and composer.

The Wyton - quite good if you have a decent tuba/chamade.

I'm ashamed to say I have never heard the King Fanfare, but I will look it up on the Pipedreams site, to see if there is a past broadcasting of it.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-06-2006, 09:48 AM

I have the music to the King Fanfare but it is pretty tricky to play. I'm not sure it would go over in my church. Or on my instrument. [:(]

I know exactly what you mean. Here in Malta (a nation of devout Roman Catholics), probably something as seemingly 'modern' as the Widor Toccata does not seem to go down as well as some Italian baroque stuff like Galuppi/Frescobaldi. Perhaps it shows just how great the lack of awareness for organ music has become over here.

Jason E

07-06-2006, 02:52 PM

Here in Malta (a nation of devout Roman Catholics)...
Are there any Protestant churches in Malta? And more importantly, if the population as you say is "devout", then what percentage would you estimate actually attend church? Recently I was surprised to read how few in France and Italy ever go to church, much lower than, say, the US or the UK.

Back on topic, I cannot imagine the Widor Toccata as "modern". Huh? (Please pick me up off the floor.) In some sense, the harmonies in Frescobaldi are more adventurous than anything in the Widor.

(Edited for those pesky typos!)

soubasse32

07-06-2006, 03:18 PM

Yes, I'm curious about this too.

I think of Malta as "European", and I think of European Catholic churches embracing the classical organ repertoire (and fairly adventurous improvisation). I'm thinking specifically of the wonderful tradition as it exists in France, specifically.

One other thought - given sufficient time and patience, askilled organist has great potential to transform the listening tastes of his or her audience.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-07-2006, 08:47 AM

Malta is known to have 'a church for every day of year' - there are literally over 300 on this small island, yet many of them are small wayside chapels which are long forgotten and no longer used. We have two Anglican churches (including the Anglican cathedral where I most regularly play) and a few churches dotted here and there for other denominations (eg. Greek Orthodox, etc.).
A very large amount of the island's population attend church - it is 'expected' of communities to be 'seen' at the very least every Sunday (some go every day, sometimes twice!), although many of the younger crowd tend to sit at the back and play with their mobile phones.
Oh, a Maltese crowd would consider the Widor as 'modern'! (even if it isn't : ) The British ones love it though.

On the comments of soubasse32, the organ, as an instrument,is in a great state of neglect here - there a very few organists, many of the pipe organs are neglected to a state of disrepair, or are otherwise unplayable. Thus, organ music is now rarely heard in our churches, apart from at a wedding or funeral. On the entire island, we usually have about two organ recitals a year (at the most!).
I frequently improvise throughout services, usually as a postlude. Here, noone else really seems to improvise or have the will to.

soubasse32

07-07-2006, 08:25 PM

I see... 

My hat is off to you for forging ahead under the circumstances. You are keeping the flame burning for future generations! One only hopes...

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-08-2006, 05:41 PM

Indeed, one can only hope!

On the subject of interesting/fun organ pieces - another candidate is Ayre for the Dance by Dan Locklair.

LifeWithLoopy

07-09-2006, 03:58 AM

Toccata on "O Fiili et Fillae" by Lynwood Farnam is a fun one. It sounds much harder then it really is. BUT, it is a royal pain to get ahold of.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-09-2006, 08:32 AM

I have heard this Farnam one described as 'a bunch of arpeggios'. Indeed, I have rarely seen this one in music shops or internet stores.

diapason8

07-09-2006, 01:44 PM

I'm listening to a CD recording of a piece for which I have just received the sheet music in the post; '
Paean, A Song of Praise' by Oliphant Chuckerbutty. I'm going to put it into a service or concert soon for the pleasure of seeing such a wonderful name in print. BTW, that was (part of) his name, and Chuckerbutty was a church as well as a cinema organist, and he excelled in both roles.

Nigel

diapason8

07-09-2006, 01:48 PM

Tim,

Reading your post about the churches in Valetta is disturbing for the future of the profression, but mirrors, I think the situation in England. Most of our organists are elderly, there are too few young people entering the profession and churches lack the money or the will to maintain the organs. Too many are using 'dance bands' to accompany happy-clappy services. BTW - if I'm ever in Malta, I'll try to play a few of the organs, maybe they'll let me loose for a service?

Nigel

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-09-2006, 10:56 PM

It is indeed the same situation as you suggest, Nigel. If you get the chance to play if you visit Malta, you will need a copy of innijiet (probably spelt completely wrong - I am no Maltese speaker) - which is Maltese for 'anthems'. They have some rather interesting hymn tunes, however.

Was reminded of another toccata today - the Whitlock. A fabulous piece (as is the rest of the Plymouth Suite), and not too difficult to play.

Tim

soubasse32

07-10-2006, 12:47 AM

All this talk of toccatas - I played the Gigout for church this morning. It was a lot more fun for the 2nd service! [:D]

I've done the Farnam Toccata on occasion. It is curious how a series of arpeggios can be so effective. There is an even "curiouser" point towards the end, where Lynnwood writes a huge chord that cannot possibly be played by 10 fingers! Did he use his nose, I wonder? [:O]

LifeWithLoopy

07-10-2006, 06:14 AM

Well, if Marilyn Monroe can have 6 toes, then I guess it is very possible that Lynwood Farnam could have had 6 fingers on one hand. Oh, another fun piece, "A Mighty Fortress" by Charles Ore. Sounds MUCH harder, then it really is. Its a fun piece. Not that hard either.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-10-2006, 09:53 AM

Has anyone ever had the bravery to play that utterly ridiculous March in C major by Lefebure-Wely? Although it is in even worse taste than the Sorties, I probably would play it someday for fun!

Jason E

07-10-2006, 01:57 PM

I'm listening to a CD recording of a piece for which I have just received the sheet music in the post; '
Paean, A Song of Praise' by Oliphant Chuckerbutty.
What CD is that, Nigel? I just have to get that!!

Why haven't you shared this hilarious bit on the Anglican Music Forum? You would be the hit of the day!

Jason E

07-10-2006, 02:01 PM

Has anyone ever had the bravery to play that utterly ridiculous March in C major by Lefebure-Wely? Although it is in even worse taste than the Sorties, I probably would play it someday for fun!
How is it possible to be in "worse" taste? Maybe we are talking minor degrees here, like a 9.2 as opposed to a 9.3 on the ridiculous scale?

Okay, where can I get a recording of this?

Jason E

07-10-2006, 02:05 PM

I've done the Farnam Toccata on occasion.* It is curious how a series of arpeggios can be so effective.*
I just realized I have a recording: Fred Swann at Riverside on Gothic 49082. Does anyone know any of his other music?

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-10-2006, 03:24 PM

Oh yes, minor degrees indeed!

I think the best recording you could obtain is of Ben van Oosten at the Madeleine in Paris, of Lefebure-Wely's organ works. You can buy the CD and obtain sound samples on the following address:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YLB3Y/qid=1152547581/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4171890-3714323?s=classical&v=glance&n=5174

There is the Andante in F major which I previously mentioned on this thread on there also - I love that one in particular!

Tim

soubasse32

07-10-2006, 09:46 PM

Farnam left us no other compositions. [:(]

I got to perform Léfebure-Wely's Boléro de Concertat St-Roch(his church). 

Now that piece is a lot of fun - especially if you use the Voix Humaine at the end! [:D]

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-11-2006, 07:07 AM

I got to perform Léfebure-Wely's Boléro de Concertat St-Roch(his church). 

Now that piece is a lot of fun - especially if you use the Voix Humaine at the end! [:D]

Ah yes - I have played that one. But it's rather fun isn't it? After all, when so many organists are slagging off Lefebure-Wely (including myself, some of the time) I think that at the end of it all, there is a point being missed - it is probable that an audience will enjoy this stuff much more than some more serious Baroque repertoire. You never know, it might keep them coming back!

soubasse32

07-11-2006, 07:11 PM

A friend told me that he observed actual smiles (not smirks!) coming from the French people in the audience when I drew the Voix Humaine - I consider that to be amajor achievement! [:D]

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-13-2006, 09:31 AM

Haha, I will have to try that myself when I next at a church with a vox humana.

I really must get around to playing a lot more of his music - I have a number of collections/scores of his.

Jason E

07-14-2006, 05:00 AM

It is now Bastille Day and I'm reminded of one of my favourite French organ compostions... it has not hitherto been mentioned here: the Saint-Saens Fantasy in Eb!! Wonderful music, superbly written and not terribly difficult.

Hans Fagus has a fine recording on Bis at the Marcussen Organ at St. Jacob's in Stockholm. Fine instrument, though I am partial to Marcussens.

Saint-Saens, the most fertile of composers, the greatest genius all around that just happened to write music ("he [only] lacks inexperience" as Berlioz said)... well one wonders why his organ music is rather subdued in its (relative) technical challenges. The two sets of Preludes and Fugues (opus 99 and 109) are modest, but look at his piano music!

The Etudes opus 52 and 111 are astounding in their pianistic demands- not to mention the acrobatics in the 4th Piano Concerto. So I must turn this over to other more experienced members here.

We know that Saint-Saens was organist at the Madeleine for some years- but did he lack virtuoso pedal technique? Might that account for the discprepancy between his organ and piano music? I am curious.

Just to up the ante: no one doubts the kenetic excitement of the opening of the Widor 6th. Surely a tour de force for the organist, but no way a musical tour de force. Particularly on page 12 (first three systems ), Widor seems stuck as to what to do next. All the momentum is basically lost. Certainly Saint-Saens could have done better.

soubasse32

07-15-2006, 07:06 PM

I'd say the Saint-Saëns Fantaisie in D-flat will give you a run for your money, technically-speaking!

Jason E

07-15-2006, 07:42 PM

So will the Fantasie in C. Funny thing, I was just going over them this morning!

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-16-2006, 10:11 AM

I absolutely adore a lot of Saint-Saens' organ music; particularly so the Rhapsodies, the Benediction Nuptiale, and the Prelude and Fugue in E flat major. Thanks for bringing his name up - his organ works are sorely underplayed.

Funny you should mention the Widor 6th Allegro - I was just playing that yesterday. I would completely agree with what Jason says concerning those particular measures - terribly unimaginitive! Like you suggest, I'm sure Saint-Saens could have done better here.

tumult_in_the_praetorium

07-19-2006, 06:38 AM

The latest edition of Pipedreams brought another fun composer to mind - the blind Alfred Hollins. A lot of his works are fun to play, especially so the Song of Sunshine.

At present, I am in the process of writing my own transcription of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, which should be fun to play when it is finally finished.

music4ever

10-11-2006, 11:26 PM

Basically, it's the summer and I have more time to practice organ. I am looking for suggestions on music to order. My teacher basically is pretty open with what I should practice this summer. He did assign two things -little prelude and fugue in g minor (which I find very easy and have basically mastered notewise already) and Stanford prelude/postlude #3, also for me to continue with the Largo from the Trio sonata #5. I really like the Stanford- this is the 3rd one from that book that I have done. I guess I am looking for non Baroque stuff. Any suggestions?

I played that piece this year and the year before that and yes, I find it easy too.

Do you look for some piece of the reportoire after the Barroque?So, I thinking in Alexandre Guilmant from the Romantic, maybe the Prelude in Eb Major. That's not a difficult piece. I don't know if you want difficult ones or easier pieces but a bit more difficults than that little prelude.

AllanP

10-12-2006, 01:01 AM

Joseph Clokey is a composer that is not played as much as he deserves. I have been playing "Wind In The Pine Trees" which is quite a fun piece. This is from a collection called "Fireside Fancies".

Jason E

10-12-2006, 04:09 AM

Joseph Clokey is a composer that is not played as much as he deserves. I have been playing "Wind In The Pine Trees" which is quite a fun piece. This is from a collection called "Fireside Fancies".

I'll bet it is fun! Another Clokey piece to look into is the Pastorale. Delightful! There is a nifty recording of it on Gothic 49081 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Jason E

10-12-2006, 04:25 AM

The latest edition of Pipedreams brought another fun composer to mind - the blind Alfred Hollins. A lot of his works are fun to play, especially so the Song of Sunshine.

Hollins wrote a lot of cool music. Recently I got to know the Concert Overture in F minor. It really grows on one! I have not seen a score, but Regent Records recently issued a recording from Ripon Cathedral on their very fine Harrison and Harrison. The CD also has a welcome new recording of William Harris's Sonata in A minor, a composition I think superior to the contemporaneous Bairstow sonata, both dating from -I believe- 1938.

Neither of the above mentioned sonatas will challenge Whitlock's colossal example from a few years earlier, but that is off subject. Enjoy Hollins! [:D]