Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?

[Guest]

A few months ago I came across this Belgian composer from his Symphony Concertante for organ and orchestra with Virgil Fox on YouTube. I subsequently bought a book of his organ music from OUP publications and have recorded this piece from it: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oMWHcFkRdz4

What do you know about this composer and do you play any of his pieces? Do you think he has a distinctive voice as a composer? Do you think his Symphony Concertante is the best concerto ever written for organ?</p>

[Guest]

Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?



A few months ago I came across this Belgian composer from his Symphony Concertante for organ and orchestra with Virgil Fox on YouTube. I subsequently bought a book of his organ music from OUP publications and have recorded this piece from it: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oMWHcFkRdz4

What do you know about this composer and do you play any of his pieces? Do you think he has a distinctive voice as a composer? Do you think his Symphony Concertante is the best concerto ever written for organ?</p>

[soubasse32]

Re: Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?



I like him well enough to havemade his organ worksaspecialty of mine. [8-|] I've played numerous all-Jongen recitals, and recently did his Sonata Eroïca - do you know it? If not, you have another treat in store.</P>


Seeing asyou like his works so much you should getJohn Scott Whiteley'sbook - highly recommended.</P>


http://www.ohscatalog.com/whitjosjonhi.html</P>

[tumult_in_the_praetorium]

Re: Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?

I just love the Sonata Eroica - and think it is one of the finest works in the organ repertoire.

Also worth looking are the Quatre Pieces, Op.37 and the Toccata, Op.104.

[soubasse32]

Re: Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?



I posted a recording of the Toccatahere about ayear ago -I just went to look for that post andit took a very long time to find it. It seems that "search" is not working properly. [^o)]</P>


Oh well. The link to the Toccata has expired anyway. [:|]</P>

[Havoc]

Re: Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?

Don't really like it.

[tumult_in_the_praetorium]

Re: Joseph Jongen, what do you think of his organ music?

[quote user="Havoc"]Don't really like it.[/quote]

I have to admit, in all honesty, I do find some of it rambling. However, I generally believe that interpretation can frequently beto blame - I have heard performances of the Sonata Eroica in which too slower tempi were employed, leading to a rather dull and cloying final result. Those last few pages should breathe fire!