The Organ Forum

What ideas for encores for organ recitals do you all have?

I would always try and do something fun. I played something by a norweigan guy called Mons Leidvin Takle - a piece called 'Festmusikk', and managed to get myself a standing ovation . Something else could be perhaps the 'Hornpipe Humouresque' by Noel Rawsthorne?

What are your ideas?

Jezza

---

"If you can't get the orchestra any louder, add the organ"

I've just had another idea - how about any movements from the 'Fiesta!' suite by Ian Farrington? A jolly old bit of rock and roll...

---

"If you can't get the orchestra any louder, add the organ"

I agree with your ideas - excellent encore pieces. Do you know where I can buy the music for the Festmusikk?

Here's a few of my own favourite encore pieces:

• Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy (Tchaikovsky, arr.Rawsthorne)
• Bahn Frei Polka (Strauss, arr.Rawsthorne)
• Processional (Mathias)
• Sortie in E flat major (Lefebure-Wely)
• Villanella (Ireland)
• Chanty from 'Plymouth Suite' (Whitlock)
• Holsworthy Church Bells (S.S. Wesley)
• Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 (Elgar)
• Esquisse in B flat minor, Op.41 No.2 (Dupre)

and soon to add the Scherzo Symphonique of Cochereau if I ever have time to get it under my fingers.

It's good to know that not all encores have to be loud and brash - some of the quieter movements above are just as likely to be adored.

One of the quieter encores I've played is the Ronde française, by Léon Boëllmann.  Scroll down this page (selection #5) to hear a sample from an album by John Longhurst.  It is relatively easy (pedal is optional) and ends with a quiet glissando - this sometimes elicits a surprised 'ah' from the audience. 

The Boléro de concert by Lefébure-Wély is a fun crowd-pleaser.  I've also done Vierne's Carillon de Westminster.

Another nice piece is A Trumpet Minuet, by Alfred Hollins (though maybe it works best within the recital, rather than an encore ). 

Dupré's Placare Christe Servulis, from "Le Tombeau de Titelouze" is excellent indeed.  I also love Dupré's Magnificat VI: Gloria (Finale) from the fifteen pieces founded on antiphons - it is quite short, and loud!  For a sample of Judith Hancock playing at St. Thomas, see this page and scroll down to selection #15.  This sample includes nearly the entire piece.

---

Soubasse32

Oh Yes!!!!!!! Bolero de Concert always does well.  The sweet little Scherzo No. 8 by Gigout from his *Dix Pieces* also tickles the crowds - people always ask me who composed that *Sea Shanty* I did for an encore - Heh < : - D  It does have a little *nautical feel* I tell them...Also the *Andante and Arioso* by Fiocco.

I love the Boellmann piece, soubasse32. Sounds like a lot of fun. Hopefully when IMSLP is restored in July it will be on there.

I think if you've ended the recital with something loud and brash, a quieter or quirkier encore can work well.

I've heard Elfes by Bonnet used most suitably for the former, and (as I've mentioned before) the Bourgeois Serenade is a good one for the latter. Truth be told though, the most enjoyable encore I've ever heard was the ubiquitous Widor Toccata. Ah but what made it special was the fact that it was Thomas Trotter playing at St-Sulpice. I'd never heard the piece played there, and I was genuinely moved.
 

tumult_in_the_praetorium:

I agree with your ideas - excellent encore pieces. Do you know where I can buy the music for the Festmusikk?

It is published by a company called 'Cantando' music publishers. Just type it into Google, and you will be able to purchase the music on the Cantando site and print it off straight away.

---

"If you can't get the orchestra any louder, add the organ"

diaphone32:

It is published by a company called 'Cantando' music publishers. Just type it into Google, and you will be able to purchase the music on the Cantando site and print it off straight away.

Excellent, thanks for this!

A few more ideas for encores:

• "Scherzando" from Suite Op.39 (Marcel Dupre)
• Any Sousa march arranged for the organ (I've done a few of these and audiences/congregations love them, even here)
• "Cats" from American Suite (Jean Langlais). I've been looking for this one for ages. Is it still in print?
• Marche Pontificale/Marche Americaine (Charles Marie Widor)
  
  
  

I'm playing the Placare Christe Servulis for All Saints Sunday... Wish me luck ! ;-)

---

chB4'

Some ideas which come to mind at the moment are:

Carillon - Herbert Murrill, Festive Trumpet Tune - David German, La Rejouissance from Royal Fireworks - G.F. Handel, and the Toccata by Dubois.

Or you can take Liberace's advice which is to not have an encore, always have them leaving wanting more!  

 

Hornpipe Humoresque - N. Rawsthorne

 

---

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. - Johann Sebastian Bach
Baylor University School of Music

hello Jezza.... 

my contribution to this topic would be

Now thank we all our God - Egil Hovland

learn it.. you won't be disappointed.. and neither will your Audience.. !  

I think you could form another recital programme with all these superb suggestions lol

---

chB4'