The Organ Forum

I'm looking for a piece that would work well in a service prelude setting or concert piece.  Many years ago (1970's) I heard a recording from the Mormon Tabernacle, and the organist played a beautiful piece that might have been a type of scherzo but I have no idea who the composer was or piece name...things you wish you wrote down when you were 16. 

If I had to name one in my limited repetoire, it would be Vierne's Clair de Lune...what is your most "beautiful" prized organ piece?

 

I don't have a piece I like more than any other, but I do like Thalben-Ball's Elegy and find myself playing it when I'm in a certain mood. It has a lovely melody.

 

Rob

I have so many favorites. It's hard to pick one. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in F Major BWV 540, Schmucke Dich 654 (with Vox Humana)is a tearjerker, Alle Menschen Mussen Sterben BWV 643, On Mensch, Bewein dein Sunde Gross Bwv 622 is heartwretchingly beautiful. These are right up there near the top.

Clay

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"Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
Und hoffet auf ihn allezeit.
Den wird er wunderlich erhalten
In aller Not und Traurigkeit;
Wer Gott, dem Allerhöchsten, traut,
Der hat auf keinen Sand gebaut...." - JS Bach

I too love the "Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele".

However, my first vote would go towards the "Priere" by Cesar Franck. There is so much emotion and expressiveness in that particular piece of music which is incomparable.

There are a few others, off the top of my head; Vierne - Berceuse, Boellmann - Priere a Notre Dame, Gigout - Communion in A major, Barie - Lamento, Rheinberger - Cantilene.

When playing at Buckfast Abbey in the U.K. a few years ago, I purchased a few organ manuscripts of the resident organist, Fr.Sebastian Wolff - his 'Nocturne' is a hauntingly beautiful rarely heard piece, which I perform often.

Tim

Possibly Duruflé's Chant Donné (Hommage a Jean Gallon). Short, easy to play, but truly, truly beautiful.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I think Vierne, with his "Berceuse" (written for his baby daughter) gave us possibly the most beautiful small work for the organ.

 

I'm not a great "French" enthusiast, but this one piece is just a delight.

 

MM

The Vierne Berceuse used to be a favorite, but it has a sad history.  The Adagio from his 4th Symphony is a gorgeous piece.

I wouldn't dream of picking a "best"...

One piece that does come to mind: the Prélude in B major, by Fleury (it is part of the 24 pieces for harmonium or organ).  The piece is luminous.

I too, have a soft spot for Franck's Prière and Barié's Lamento, and the opening of his Symphony. 

Duruflé's larger works are stunningly beautiful.

I'm moved by the works of Achille Philip, but have not had much luck finding the music.

Franck's Trois Chorals are probably closest to the pinnacle, for me.

Widor's Romane (heard live at St-Sulpice) left me quite speechless.  I have a favorite recording of it that has the same effect.  Odd, since I usually find Widor to be a bit austere.

Then there is Bach, Howells, much of Whitlock; Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Barber's Adagio, Sowerby's Symphony.  Some of these are 'beautiful' in a soul-stirring way, not necessarily because they are pretty.

(And so forth...)

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Soubasse32

Ah! Knew there was one I had forgotten - Cortege et Litanie by Dupre - I seem to find myself whistling that tune endlessly.

The dream-like phrases of the Cortege, in particular, carry me off to another world - and it lies nicely under the fingers (except for a few large stretches).

Tim

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Thanks, acc - now I know I am not alone!

Some organists I know turn their noses up at the Romane.  I suppose it is not as easy to hear as some organ music, but I really love it!  My favorite recording was done at St. Sernin.

Just as puzzling to me that more folks don't love the Franck Prière.  Oh well...

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Soubasse32

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I just got a recording by Jeremy Filsell playing the Symphonie Romaine at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and can't stop listening to it!  I don't know much about that particular organ but it seems to work well with the music.  Anyone ever heard Cochereau's recording of it?  Widor's Ninth Symphony  is also up there.

The recording I like is by Bouvard.  I focus equally on the music, the player, and the marvelously restored (and tuned!) organ at St. Sernin (one of my favorite C-C organs).  Perhaps the playing is a bit cautious, but I still love it.

Hey, I also performed the Prière a couple of weeks ago!

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Soubasse32

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acc:

As for Cochereau – well, I think everybody agrees that his improvisations are divine and that his Vierne symphonies are a must-have.

I really admire Cochereau, however I've listened repeatedly to his Vierne IV and it leaves me cold.  There are idiosyncracies and exaggerated tempi.  He takes much liberty with registrations too.  I'm sure that when one has such a large instrument it seems natural to expand the registrations, but his choices don't really serve the music (in my opinion).

I really like Christine Kamp's recording of Vierne IV.  Ben Van Oosten's is nice too.  I thoroughly studied all of the available recordings in preparation for learning it.

But now we are truly off topic.

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Soubasse32