Current Composers of Organ Music

**susangio** · Jul-08-2007, 03:18

Ok, the Pipe Organ Forum says beginners can ask questions, and I need educating, so here goes: Besides the very talented Frederik Magle, whose work I can't possibly imagine being matched, can anyone give me/us a pretty comprehensive list of Current composers that include the pipe organ as a major player in their work?

...if that list is pretty long and needs narrowing, how about work that leans more toward the Light than toward the Dark? Susanne

**Caddis** · Jul-08-2007, 19:36

Hi susangio
I don't have a long list but can list the following out of hand.
Naji Hakim (France)
Jean-Pierre Laguay (France)
Jean- Paul Imbert (France)
Daniel Roth (France)
Sophie-Veronique Choplin (France)
Jean Guillou (France)
Klaas Jan Mulder (Netherlands)
Martin Mans (Netherlands)
Fons Brouwer (Netherlands)
Willem van Twillert (Netherlands)
Ronald de Jong (Netherlands)

I will post a more complete list later on,that's all I have for now

**susangio** · Jul-14-2007, 09:49

Wow! that's a good list to start with. Thanks so much. I'll investigate for sure. Susanne.

**Contratrombone64** · Jul-18-2007, 00:13

Unfortunately in Australia our composers neglect the organ so coming up with even just ONE who writes for it predominantly is difficult. However, Ross Edwards' wonderful "Very High Kings" opens with thunderous chords from the organ and was premiered in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall ... with its weak but magnificent Pogson organ (the world's newest and largest mechanical action organ I think is it's claim to fame). Sadly, I can't think of another contemporary Australian composer who's used it, though there would be many, surely.

**Caddis** · Jul-21-2007, 21:36

Hi susangio,apologies for the late response.This is the other half of my list.
Marc Giacone (Monaco)
Maasaki Suzuki (Japan)
Lionel Coulon (France)
Lionel Rogg (Switzerland)
Arie J. Keijzer (Ned)
Gerben Mourik (Ned)
Aart de Kort (Ned)
Sander van Marion (Ned)
Joris Verdin (Bel)
Jozef Sluys (Bel)
Pam Decker (USA) (As a big fan of sophisticated music,her music is very interesting.But I would certianly not put my fingers through such levels of torture!)

**susangio** · Jul-21-2007, 22:13

Thanks again, Caddis, and Contratrombone64, for the info about contemporary composers incorporating pipe organ in their compositions. Caddis, I am curious to know how you came up with your list (teach a fisher to fish)

**Caddis** · Jul-22-2007, 01:33

11 of those names come from my cd collection.The other names I got from the internet,on the look out for new recordings and new or lesserknown composers.The two main websites I search are www.france-orgue.fr and www.orgelland.nl .Both sites contain an index of organists and tons of info,the french site has got more than 8000 recordings listed.There are enough recordings to choose from both sites to blow the credit card and give your bank manager a major heart attack.I also collect mp3 samples on a regular basis.

**susangio** · Jul-25-2007, 00:30

Thank you, Caddis, for the websites! That will help tremendously. Can't wait to start exploring. Perhaps you'll have an answer to my question in the Help and Troubleshooting Forum, as well....?

**AndrewBlackburn** · Jul-25-2007, 08:14

Hi
I recently premiered a work by the Australian/Chilean composer Andrian Pertout for organ, flute and live electronic signal processing of both the organ and flute.
You can see more information abouit this performance held on the grand concert organ of the Melbourne Town Hall at
www.hutes.com.au
Also in the performance was another premiere of a work by Peter Neville for organ and percussion.

Both works were very well received by a large audience.

I think it is important for we organists to encourage composers to write for our instrument. The organ has a very important place in the story of new music - from the 14th to 20th centuries and as the current custodians of this heritage it is up to us to continue and develop it with the finest composers of our age in all styles.

As a matter of interest, are there other organists/composers in this forum who are regularly working with pipe organ and electronic processing (not eelectronic organs in this instance)?

**susangio** · Jul-25-2007, 08:40

Hello Andrew, thanks for sharing that! The webpage on the Melbourne Town Hall Project looked Really interesting! I wish there were some sound samples to listen to (hint hint). Also your own web page was interesting--nice photos of pipes, and a couple of samples of your composition and playing

Cool collection of metronomes in the background of the middle photo!

**Soubasse** · Jul-25-2007, 09:02

Originally Posted by AndrewBlackburn

As a matter of interest, are there other organists/composers in this forum who are regularly working with pipe organ and electronic processing (not eelectronic organs in this instance)?

I'll put my hand up as a yes to that question. I've also written a number of organ solo pieces, but nothing published (I'm open to suggestions!). They've all received favourable reviews and comments at performances here and abroad.

**NEB** · Jul-25-2007, 21:14

And there-in lies one of the problems. I've no doubt there is plenty of contemporary music out there, but unpublished it just can't get played very much. I had hoped that the internet might change that. Maybe it has?

Would be nice to know where it all resides so I could take a look at some of those works by the various current composers...

**AndrewBlackburn** · Jul-30-2007, 01:44

Thankyou for the nice comments about the Melbourne Town Hall Organ Project. When we find some time

we will put up a version of the video of the performance (bits)

A review -report of the performance can be seen at:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...833337610.html

To all those who are looking for some composers of organ music in Australia, there is an excellent resource at the Australian Music Council.
http://www.amcoz.com.au/
You can browse under organ. The last time I looked in any detail there were more than 100 pieces. Some excellent works there to perform. They range in difficulty from very simple to very difficult. Good luck.

**susangio** · Aug-08-2007, 07:55

Hi, all, I would like to enthusiastically share with you an album (2000) I just listened to that incorporates pipe organ - thought you might be familiar with it, and if not you should listen to it! The album is called Triptych and is by Paul Halley, member of the Paul Winter Consort. The music on this album is his compositions-quote, "new works for a unique ensemble [of] piano, organ & harpsichord." It's very good! The pipe organ used is the Albert Schweitzer Memorial Organ designed by the Fratelli Ruffatti Company of Padua, Italy and (I'm quoting the pamphlet) was installed in Spivey Hall (Clayton State College campus, Georgia, USA) between 1991-1993, with a total of 4,413 pipes, 79 ranks, 2 electric ranks and 88 speaking stops. The harpsichord Mr. Halley uses for the recording was designed and built by Carl Dudash. At least half of the compositions use all three instruments together (overdubbing). What a nice blend!!!

**Arvin B** · Aug-08-2007, 14:55

Here's some American composers:

Richard Purvis
Paul Manz
Daniel Pinkham (I believe he just passed away. RIP)
Emma Lou Diemer
Robert C. Hebble
Franklin Ashdown
David Cherwien
Seth Bingham

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