Branchporter's posts reminds me of a story I read once about the late E. Power Biggs. He apparently detested long sermons so much that he suggested there should be a special piston on the organ called "Pulpit Cancel" or for the Anglican churches "Rector Ejector". :lol:
Biggs also envisioned a service that would honor the organist. The sermon would be comprised of organ music and at the end of the service the organist would be standing at door greeting parishioners while the pastor was preaching.
I personally bet another organist friend that I could play "Yankee Doodle Dandee" during the prelude and nobody would notice. I won the bet, btw ... yes, I actually played that tune albeit in a "reverent" rendition.
In JS Bach's days, the prelude was always begun after the opening announcements. Unfortunately, today, everyone is watching the clock and starts screaming at the worship committee members when the service time goes beyond 60 minutes.
Biggs also envisioned a service that would honor the organist. The sermon would be comprised of organ music and at the end of the service the organist would be standing at door greeting parishioners while the pastor was preaching.
I personally bet another organist friend that I could play "Yankee Doodle Dandee" during the prelude and nobody would notice. I won the bet, btw ... yes, I actually played that tune albeit in a "reverent" rendition.
In JS Bach's days, the prelude was always begun after the opening announcements. Unfortunately, today, everyone is watching the clock and starts screaming at the worship committee members when the service time goes beyond 60 minutes.
