The most 'Bombastic' organ works

[Krummhorn]

What are the most bombastic organ pieces you've played or heard?
We are all very much aware of Bach's BWV 565 ... ...

Maybe some lesser known works could be included here to help expand ours, and other's, musical horizons.

My first offering (and one that I have played):
Widor - Symphony No. 6 in G Minor (first movement)

[Corno Dolce]

"Alleluyas" by Simon Preston.

[methodistgirl]

War of 1812 overture.
judy tooley

[Krummhorn]

Hmm, there is an organ score of the 1812 Overture?

[Corno Dolce]

Hello Master Krummhorn,

I have this premonition that Louis Robilliard who is the "Titulaire" of the Cavaille-Coll organ in St. Francois de Sales in Lyon, France has done an organ transcription of the 1812 Overture. I'm pretty much positive that he also did an organ transcription of Rachmaninoff's "Isle Of The Dead".

Cheers,

VADM CD

[Krummhorn]

Hi VAdm Corno Dolce,

Interesting about the Robilliard transcription. Wonder if it is anywhere about in printed form or do you know of any recordings of this? I'm wondering where Ms. Judy heard this played on the organ ... guess it must be readily available, but I can't seem to locate it.

[methodistgirl]

Oh Krummhorn! I thought I would suggest it. I forget that you guys
don't play it by ear like I do. Just use your imagination with it.
I know that Bach has more like toccata & fugue somewhere.
judy tooley

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Master Krummhorn,

Lets go back to using just my screen initials, ok? I find Widor's Toccata in F to be very bombastic.

Cheers,

CD

[Mush]

Bolcoms' Black Host, Mars from the planets, Berlioz March to the Scaffold, most Gilliou machine gun pieces and the Lukas Foss etude III (forearm clusters and pedals).

[methodistgirl]

How about Halloween type music on the organ?
judy tooley

[Contratrombone64]

Krummiest - before I can answer that, please define bombastic for me, or at least reveal a little insight into your gropings ...

[Krummhorn]

Oh Krummhorn! I thought I would suggest it. I forget that you guys don't play it by ear like I do. Just use your imagination with it. I know that Bach has more like toccata & fugue somewhere. judy tooley

I got my wrists slapped by my piano teacher for attempting the "by ear" method ... ... I've learned some things from repetitious hearing, but I prefer to play from manuscript, if only to make certain I include all the notes as the composer had intended ... .

Hi Master Krummhorn,

Lets go back to using just my screen initials, ok? I find Widor's Toccata in F to be very bombastic.

Cheers,

CD

CD,
Your wish is my (almost) command. Good selection, btw.

Krummiest - before I can answer that, please define bombastic for me, or at least reveal a little insight into your gropings ...

Sure thing, CT64 ...
Something rather pompous or grand - a piece that attempts to tear the rafters down when played.

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Master Krummhorn,

"Tear the rafters down" Well said dear sir.
That Widor Fifth Toccata is so hackneyed - Just like JSBach's T&F in d - I can never listen nor play those works with a straight face - I start to squirm and fidget. I have self-imposed on myself a 25 year moratorium(embargo) against performance or listening of these works.

Cheers,

CD

[Contratrombone64]

My vote for noisy goes to Messiaen's

Transports de joie d'une âme devant la glorire du Christ qui est la sienne

[Krummhorn]

Hi Master Krummhorn,

"Tear the rafters down" Well said dear sir.
That Widor Fifth Toccata is so hackneyed - Just like JSBach's T&F in d - I can never listen nor play those works with a straight face - I start to squirm and fidget. I have self-imposed on myself a 25 year moratorium(embargo) against performance or listening of these works.
Cheers, CD

Hi Corno Dolce,

I couldn't agree with you more on the BWV 565 and Widor's 5th Toccata, although I do continue to play the Widor once a year - it's been my standard prelude for Easter Sunday for about 35 years now. The Bach 565, I do only when October 31 falls on a Sunday ... . The rest of the time that score sits in total darkness in my file cabinet or on my newly acquired CD sheet music disk.