My favorite organ work... hmmm... It's a difficult question because there are so many works which I love, both to play and listen to. I simply can't pick
one favorite. However, I wouldn't mind to share some of the works that I especially appreciate (but please keep in mind that the list is very far from complete - these are just the first works I think of, on top of my head. It's 100% certain that there are lots of works missing that I for some reason don't think of or have forgotten right now)
By J.S.Bach: I'm tempted to say that
every work by Johann Sebastian Bach is my favorite
- and it's actually not that far from the truth. However, one piece means something extra special to me and that is Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535. it does not fail to give me the goosebumps every single time I work with it. It even brings tears to my eyes, it's that powerful! However, it is one of my least favorite works to listen to because I have never heard any organist get it "right". I intend to try and do a recording myself one day, but not now. In some years, out of respect for the work and realization of my own limits (with the knowledge that there is a reason why no one in my opinion plays it
right) I will practice it and work with it for years. I'm in no hurry.
I've always loved the Choral No.3 by César Franck. It was also one of the first works I leaned when I started playing organ. I had heard it on an old tape and told my teacher that I'd like to play it.
Toccata & Fugue in d-minor, Op. 129 by Max Reger is awork I enjoy listening to very much. I have a great CD where Michael Pohl performs it on the restored Sauer Organ in Berlin Cathedral.
And not to forget »Symphonie Passion« by Marcel Dupré. That's music right up my alley
»Apparition de l'Eglise eternelle« by Olivier Messiaen (and many other works by him as well)
I could go on... but have to stop now (have to go back to work composing
)
Kind regards
Frederik