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Breaking the Stereotype

OrganoPleno105

New member
So I'm sure this is something that many of us have thought of, but I'm curious as to what peoples answers or suggestions are.

I have been thinking to myself lately: If I had to prove that organ music can be "fun" or "accessible" to someone who had a bad stereotype of organ music what piece(s) would I use to prove it?

I feel like often times people with no real knowledge of organ music view it as depressing and loud funeral dirges (at least this is my experience).

The two pieces I thought of were Rawsthorn's Hornpipe Humoresque and Elmore's Fantasy on Nursey Tunes.

This to me is a good exercise in trying to bring organ music to a wider audience. So what are everyone's thoughts?

Best,
Jim
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi Jim,

A great question, and I'm sure there will be lots of suggestions listed in this thread.

The Rawsthorn and Elmore pieces are indeed fun to play as well as hear.

I have used, in concert, a piece titled The Musical Clocks by Haydn (arr for organ by Biggs) - always a crowd pleaser.
Another is Noel X of D'Aquin.

I quite agree that, in some people's minds, the organ is stereotyped as only being used for "funeral dirges" ... the organist, in their presentation is also a key element in what the listener hears ... just playing the notes is not always good enough - music is much better when played from the heart and soul.

Kh ♫
 
Dorsetmike

Dorsetmike

Member
Or this, Hollins Maytime Gavotte, played on Wimborne Minster Organ by Martin Schellenberg, can't find it on you tube so only a 58 second clip (shame I can't post the full 4 minutes plus). If it don't make you smile, you've got a severe case of the grumps ;) I class it "delightful"

View attachment hollinsex57999.mp3

it is available on Amazon MP3's or Cds, track 9 here, (if you want a real wakeup call or ring tone try track 4)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=fanfares+to+fancies&x=0&y=0
 
White Knight

White Knight

Spectral Warrior con passion
I would add Aaron Copland's Symphony For Organ and Orchestra {Symphony No.1} and Camille Saint-Saen's Symphony No.3 {"Organ"}.
 
AllanP

AllanP

New member
Coronation March by Myerbeer is a dramatic piece which is dynamic and interesting. I love this piece and play it myself.
 
FinnViking

FinnViking

Member
Lefébure-Wély's Sorties in Eb Major or Bb Major and Marche in C Major. Almost anything by Padre Davide da Bergamo. Anything by Nigel Ogden.
 

Nikam

New member
Here goes!
'Grand Choeur' - Salome (he wrote two that I know of, both in G)
'Fanfare' - Mathias
'Fiat Lux' - Dubois
'In Paradisum' - Dubois
'Noel' - Dubois
'Toccata in G major' (from douze pieces) - Dubois
'Toccata' - Zwart
'Prelude in Classic Style' - Young
'Suite Gothique' - Boellmann
'Danse Macabre' - Saint-Saens
'Tuba Tune' - Lang
'Liberty Bell March' - Sousa
'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy' - Tchaikovsky
'Fanfare' (from La Peri) - Dukas
'Postludium' (manuals only & very short) - Peeters
'Elegy' (sorry!!) - Thalben-Ball
Humoresque 'L'organo primitivo' - Yon
'Tu es petra .... ' - Mulet
 

smilingvox

New member
How about Sir C. H. H. Parry's Jerusalem? Or does this thread speak only to pieces originally written for organ?
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
"War March of the Priests" from Mendelssohn's "Athalie" - Ripsnortin' and swashbuckling music for sure.
 

OrganoPleno105

New member
I just found another great piece myself today: Woodland Flute Call by Fannie Charles Dillon. Beautiful and charming little piece.
 
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