Musical misconception

[Dorsetmike]

Sharing some music with friends last evening, I played Stanley's Organ concerto No2 Op 2; one chap on hearing the organ said "Oh that's church music".

Just because it had a pipe organ, to him, it had to be church music! When I played a Stanley Harpsichord concerto, that wasn't church music.

http://www.baroquemusic.org/DLower/BMC01T1JohnStanleyConcerto2Op2.mp3

http://www.baroquemusic.org/DLower/B...hdConc5Op2.mp3

[wljmrbill]

I met many people who have the same concept regarding organs ( a lot relate to funerals too ) and never been to a organ concert etc.

[Krummhorn]

Wonder what the chap classifies when organ and another instrument are heard together? Organ and voice? Organ and orchestra?

There are, of course as we all know, fine pipe organs that are installed in buildings other than churches. If it's not in a church then it can't be called "church music" ... (?) then?

[Nikam]

I met many people who have the same concept regarding organs ( a lot relate to funerals too ) and never been to a organ concert etc.

Good to have you back posting Bill!

[Dorsetmike]

Wonder what the chap classifies when organ and another instrument are heard together? Organ and voice? Organ and orchestra?

There are, of course as we all know, fine pipe organs that are installed in buildings other than churches. If it's not in a church then it can't be called "church music" ... (?) then?

As I said, his comment was on hearing part of the Stanley concerto and the orchestra was well in evidence. Admittedly the music played up until then had ben a very varied mixture, Jazz, Blues, Swing and a flute sonata.

[Nikam]

The fact that many people associate the 'King of instruments' solely with churches and religion undoubtedly has a bearing on the number of people interested in its music, with the decline in church-going affecting in particular the number of younger musicians who might in a different era have had a desire to learn to play this wonderful instrument and the wealth of music written specifically for it. Various bodies (such as the Royal College of Organists in UK) and individual organists are working at devising different ways to interest the younger generation, in the hope that over time pipe organs and organ music will gain in popularity for the listener as much as for the player.