The rare/unusual repertoire thread

[giwro]

Hi Giwro,

Yeah - sweet little pieces those are - thanx for unearthing them.

>and<

Was Colinet one who belonged to the Parisian organist sphere?

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

Corno,

Arthur Colinet (1885-1956) was a blind organist who played in Nantes and taught at the institute for the
blind there.

Cheers,

- G

 

[NEB]

John Stanley was blind as well wasn't he? and in the back of my mind I seem to recall that there was another from the French Romantic movement that was blind wasn't there? Can't think who though. (not Delius) Help me out here? (Thanks)

 

[giwro]

John Stanley was blind as well wasn't he? and in the back of my mind I seem to recall that there was another from the French Romantic movement that was blind wasn't there? Can't think who though. (not Delius) Help me out here? (Thanks)

NEB,

You're probably thinking of Louis Vierne.

Interestingly enough, there have been a number of accomplished French organists/composers who were blind. Langlais, Leguay, etc. The French have had a very effective education program for blind musicians for many years now (over 100, I think!?).

Cheers,

- G

 

[NEB]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Louis Vierne. Thank you Giwro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't know that Jean Langlais was blind as well. Interesting...

Incidentally who is/was Leguay (please excuse my ignorance here...)

 

[giwro]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Louis Vierne. Thank you Giwro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't know that Jean Langlais was blind as well. Interesting...

Incidentally who is/was Leguay (please excuse my ignorance here...)

Leguay was/is one of the 3 organists that play in rotation at Notre Dame de Paris.

Cheers,

- G

 

[giwro]

Jean Vadon - Grand Choeur and Toccata

Today we sample 2 pieces by Jean Vadon:

Grand Choeur
Toccata sur "O Filii" et "Haec Dies"


These are WONderful pieces - the Grand Choeur alternates between loud solo reed and other reeds under expression, the Toccata combines 2 Gregorian Easter melodies in a thrilling celebration.

Enjoy!

- G

 

[NEB]

Leguay was/is one of the 3 organists that play in rotation at Notre Dame de Paris.

Cheers,

- G

Thank you once again.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Hi Giwro,

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Excellent pieces these by Jean Vadon. You da man, Giwro - You da man!!!

Btw, and somewhat off-topic, I believe Alfred Hollins was a blind organist. He composed many a beautiful organ work, among which is a Trumpet Minuet in D-major that is sunshine through annd through. Just thought you would like to know.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

 

[nachoba]

Also, Andre Marchal was blind. A great organist. It seems that in France they have a tradition backed by the Institute for the Young Blind were Vierne, Langalis, Marchal and most sure others attended. I was once told a story about Marchal. When he sat at a new console he had someone telling him the names of the stops while he was touching them, then the names and location of the appeles, etc. He then just start playing knowing were was located each thing.... incredible.

Giwro the Communion is great, I love it.

Best regards
nachoBA

 

[giwro]

Hi Giwro,

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Excellent pieces these by Jean Vadon. You da man, Giwro - You da man!!!

Btw, and somewhat off-topic, I believe Alfred Hollins was a blind organist. He composed many a beautiful organ work, among which is a Trumpet Minuet in D-major that is sunshine through and through. Just thought you would like to know.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

Glad you liked the Vadon! The Grand Choeur is one of my favorites.


I've heard the Hollins - it's a nice piece.

Cheers,

 

[acc]

The French have had a very effective education program for blind musicians for many years now (over 100, I think!?).

Oh, even more than that: the Institut des Jeunes Aveugles was founded in 1784, i.e. five years before the French Revolution. So the school is even older than the braille system, since its inventor, Louis Braille (1809–1852), was educated there!

If you read French, an excellent account of its history can be found here.

Alas, the organ class of this school no longer seems to be as attractive as it used to be: there is currently a discussion going on in this forum, stating that as of last year, there was only one pupil in the class.

Leguay was/is

That would be an "is".

 

[NEB]

Thank goodness too. So much wonderful music would not have been written otherwise. I hadn't realised just how established...

 

[giwro]

Alphonse Schmitt - Toccatina

Although this piece is titled "toccatina" it really doesn't deserve such a diminutive designation, since it really has substantial musical worth. This piece is another one of those wonderful French works written around the beginning of the 1900s

Alphonse Schmitt - Toccatina

Enjoy!

 

[Corno Dolce]

Hello Giwro,

I heard that Schmitt piece played by Mme. Sophie Choplin at St. Sulpice a year ago. So nice to get reacquainted with it.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

 

[giwro]

Hello Giwro,

I heard that Schmitt piece played by Mme. Sophie Choplin at St. Sulpice a year ago. So nice to get reacquainted with it.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

Yes, it's a nice little piece - makes a nice encore...

Cheers...

 

[giwro]

Variation Challenge

Some time ago on another (non-organ) music forum, I proposed a challenge to write for organ - the prize was $200 US, the challenge was to take a given modal theme and write up to 3 variations on it. The writing was judged on originality, playability, and (probably) my own bias towards what I thought was good. At the end of the competition, I produced this recording of the variations put together in what (I think) was a cohesive whole.

Variations on an Original Theme

for those who don't have high-speed internet - a low-quality version:

Variations on an Original Theme (LQ)

I think this was a successful experiment - the variations show a lot of creativity, and for many of the composers it was their first attempt at writing for the organ.

Enjoy!

 

[Corno Dolce]

Wow giwro,

Those were astonishing variations on a modal theme. They really engaged my *mind's ear*. Congrats dear sir for excellent material.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce

 

[Krummhorn]

Giwro,

Here I sit once again so enlightened by an array of beautiful tonalities and wonderfully created variations. I truly appreciate these musical offerings. Thanks!

 

[giwro]

Corno, Kh,

Glad you gentlemen enjoyed the music. There's always more where this came from!

Cheers,

 

[giwro]

Kromolicki: Concert Etude "Staccato"

Greetings!

Time for another little morsel of fun - Josef Kromolicki's Concert Etude "Staccato"

This fun little piece makes a great concert encore.

Enjoy!