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    Frederik Magle
    Administrator

    Krummhorn
    Co-Administrator

Religious repertoire

jvhldb

New member
Again I need help.

I've started relieving the regular organists at the two local Dutch Reformed Chruches in town. As my teacher is one of the organists it was easy compiling a list of music that will work for most services, so I don't have to learn seven new chorals every week.

My problem is that the local Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches also asked me if I will help them for special occasions as they don't have any organists themselves.

Can anybody recommend some religious music (EASY) for these churches that I can "stock up" on? The local clergy can't realy help as they don't know a lot about music.:confused:
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi Johan,

Alexander Guilmant's organ compositions are a staple in my personal library. There are several Volumes (books) of these and most are easy reading. Guilmant passed on in 1911, so lots of his music is now Public Domain (PD).

The PD site, IMSLP has a plethora of free organ music for the taking - all you need is time and lots of disk space ... :lol:! Certainly a very good site to "stock up" from and build a nice virtual library for organists.

The works of JS Bach for organ are also on that IMSLP site ... albeit the Gesselschaft editions (not preferred by the most elitist of organists because of omissions and errors) they are still worth perusing - I use them all the time, but I also have the complete organ works (scores) of Bach on a CD that I purchased several months ago.

Of course, our resident organ composer here, Musicalis, has also provided the members here with a good number of compositions well worth reading and playing - I've used a few of his works in my service playing lately, too.
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Aloha Johan,

I can only echo what Master Krummhorn advised and, may I add: *IMSLP/Petrucci, a working musicians best friend*.

Cheers,

CD :):):)
 

jvhldb

New member
Thanks for the advice. I'm trying to work my way through IMSLP, but there is SO MUCH and not enough disc space. The church I played in last week told me to try and stay away from Bach & Beethoven as the congregation don't like "classic music", so I gave them some Gregorian by Eugene Gigout and funny enough they enjoyed singing song 530, which is set to the music "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven. Talk about double standards!

As to music by Musicalis, I think I've downloaded everything I could (even if I can't play them YET).

Any suggestions on Hymns/Songs? With the Dutch Reformed Churches I have a list of about 15 hymns that will cover most events, sometimes, like this Sunday, I only have to play some background music before the service and two songs during the actual service. Somebody told me that for the Roman Catholic Church I will probably need eight just to get through one service. What I'm looking for is something that will suite most occasions (if there is such songs/hymns in the other churches).
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Aloha Johan,

Seems like the leadership of that congregation who said that the pew-sitters don't like Beethoven are trying to remove a salaried position in the Church so that they can then buy a *Worship-O-Mat* i.e. a pre-programmed box wherein the priest can punch a few buttons and Voila! Music from the PA system belches forth.

Cheerio,

CD :):):)
 

Flute'n'Pedal

New member
Hi Johan,

I say amen to Corno Dolce's words. Your little anecdote about "Ode to Joy" suggests that these people (or at least the clergy) aren't clear about what they want. So go ahead and choose the music you like. If anyone complains (above all the clergy), you can refer them to a beautiful website called "No organist no problem..."

Flute'n'Pedal
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Amen Sister Flute'n'Pedal - Your words are quite prophetic - the worst thing being that the more Churches with that kind of *worshiptainment* the fewer jobs for those who wish to be working organists/musicians. 'Tis a very dangerous road that Clergy and Churchleaders embark upon when they vote on eliminating such a key position as Organist/Choirmaster - especially in a Church where there has been a tradition of Organists/Choirmasters. For Churches that have not had that tradition there is no problem.
 

Flute'n'Pedal

New member
I was rather thinking of starting a website called "No priest no problem..." -- the idea being that the organist would push a few buttons to get readings and prayers and sermons for the day. That way, our jobs would be secured.
Seriously, I don't understand why the clergy are always telling the organists what to play, whereas no organist would dream of telling the priest what to say.
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Bless you Flute'n'Pedal - Priests, unless they themselves have a degree in organ performance/choirmaster and several years of experience, they should have themselves a big cup of *shut up! you have no idea what you're talking about*. Those kinds of priests are the worst primadonnas!
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
The late E. Power Biggs often suggested to the organ builders that they lacked two particular pistons on every organ:
  1. Pulpit Cancel, and/or
  2. Rector Ejector
He also suggested that the organist should be the one being greeted at the door while the preacher was in the pulpit delivering their sermon.

Martin Luther once said ... "Next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." I think more pastors and priests need to be reminded of that phrase more often.

Johann,

One set of easy pieces that I use sometimes is from a collection called "The Parish Organist" ... there is a hardbound book on the OHS site that can be ordered. I've had the entire set since ... well ... almost before Moses ... amongst the traditional Bach literature, these collections were added soon as well, and they are short and easy ditties that require little or no practice time. Good for fillers when needed. I still use them from time to time.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
As a retort to the organists' "pulpit cancel" here's another side to this story from a fellow member of Christ Church St. Laurence (who will remain nameless, and no, it's not me)

I can think of several organists I've known who would wholeheartedly agree with Mr.Biggs - I do agree with the idea of the 2 extra stops on the organ, but I can think of another - the 'shoot the bloody organist' stop. When XXXX XXXX was organist at Christ Church St. Laurence he would periodically play the most extensive musical interludes while other things were happening, to the point where everyone had done what they needed to and were simply standing around waiting for him to finish his 'twiddling'. When asked why he made everyone wait so long he would reply "Because I can, and there's nothing anyone can do about it except wait for me!".
 

Soubasse

New member
I've personally found the sets of Interludes by Dom Gregory Murray coming in highly useful as either preludes (or even postludes when registered loudly). Also, Cesar Francks collections of pieces for the Harmonium or Organ (L'Organiste) are real gems, not overly difficult and provide a wealth of pieces for liturgical use.
 

Soubasse

New member
Would a nave console be fitted with a "General Chancel" piston?

And for priests to stay out of organists' business, that is clearly a "Chore too Great"
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Johan,

There are also the easy works by Dom Paul Benoit ... the two books I have are titled
- Elevations Volume I & II
These were written, if I'm not mistaken, for use within the Catholic Mass ... since they are not based upon any hymntunes, the music of Benoit doesn't detract the worshiper. I would use them for the meditation time during and after Holy Communion.

I use these two books quite often for prelude music ... they are easy, some easy enough that they could be read on sight.
 
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