Category Archives: Music

Online resources for organists

Today I would like to share some online resources that I find really helpful for (church) organists.

There’s a good reason why I write this post in English – so far, I’ve found the most helpful and open forums and blogs in the English-speaking organ world. I tried to register in a German organ forum only to be told I had to wait for the admin to approve my request, and the wait goes on and on and on… at the same time, I’ve had a very friendly and open welcome to the Organ Forum (http://www.organforum.com). It’s a large community where you can talk about all kinds of organs and organ music: church, classical, theatre, Hammond… I can spend hours just browsing through the discussions.

I’ve found this forum in the link list of Mowenna’s wonderful organist’s blog: http://www.theladyorganist.com. I’ve been following her blog for a while already and it’s about time to recommend it 🙂

Then there’s a blog I’ve only discovered a few days ago, http://www.organduo.lt/ by Dr Vidas Pinkevicius. What should I say, his blog is one of the most concise and informative resources for organists I’ve found so far.

I’m sure there’s a lot more inspiring blogs and forums out there – if you would like to share your favourites, please feel free to contact me or write a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

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Musik in der Karwoche und an Ostern / Music during passion week and Easter

In unserem Dorf gibt es eine kleine evangelische Kirche mit einer kleinen Orgel. Ich spiele seit einigen Monaten regelmäßig in den Gottesdiensten und möchte heute einen kleinen Einblick in meine musikalischen Aktivitäten geben.
Letzte Woche habe ich auf einer Abendveranstaltung Akkordeon und Blockflöte (Alt & Tenor) gespielt, was dazu führte, dass ich gebeten wurde, den Gottesdienst am Gründonnerstag mit dem Akkordeon zu begleiten. Wir feiern den Gottesdienst nämlich nicht direkt in der Kirche, sondern an Tischen sitzend im kleinen Saal, der an die Kirche angebaut ist. Nach dem Gottesdienst essen wir gemeinsam zu Abend = wir feiern Abendmahl. Ich habe als Vorspiel das Stück „Trost“ von J. Kiessling ausgewählt.

Am morgigen Karfreitag spiele ich als Vorspiel das Präludium in g-Moll von A.F. Hesse und als Nachspiel das Trio in g-Moll (op. 49) von J.P. Rheinberger.

Der Ostersonntagsgottesdienst beginnt um 6 Uhr morgens, und zunächst ist die Kirche dunkel. Es gibt weder Glockengeläut noch ein Orgelvorspiel. Die Orgel beginnt erst im Verlauf des Gottesdienstes mit dem Lied „Christ ist erstanden“. Das Nachspiel ist ein Orgelstück in C-Dur von J.W. Häßler, ohne Titel, aber mit dem Hinweis „Fürs volle Werk“ und „Allegro di molto“. „Volles Werk“ heißt bei unserer kleinen Orgel ganze fünf Register, aber für die kleine Kirche ist das völlig ausreichend, und dass manche Töne leicht verstimmt sind, wird den Osterjubel kaum stören.

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In our village, there’s a small protestant church with a small organ. I’ve started playing the organ for Sunday services regularly a few months ago and wanted to give a small summary of my current musical activities.

Last week, we had an evening event where I played accordion and recorder (alto & tenor) which led to me being asked whether I would play the according for Maundy Thursday service. This service takes place with the congration sitting at long tables in the hall adjacent to the church. After service, we have dinner together = hold eucharist/communion. I will play the piece „Trost“ (consolation) in A-flat-major by J. Kiessling as prelude.

On Good Friday, I will play the prelude in g-minor by A.F. Hesse and the trio op. 49 in g-minor by J.P. Rheinberger as postlude.

Easter Sunday service starts at 6am in the morning, and the church will be dark. The bells will stay silent, and so will the organ. During service, the organ’s first piece will be the song „Christ ist erstanden“ (Christ has risen). As postlude, I will play an organ piece in C-major by J.W. Häßler. It doesn’t have a title, but is supposed to be played „with full organ“ and „allgro di molto“. „Full organ“ means using all 5 stops the small organ has, but that’s enough for the small church. And the fact that some notes are a bit out of tune shouldn’t interfere with Easterly rejoycing.

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Filed under Landleben, Music, Musik

Recommendation for lovers of handmade music

When it comes to music, I have a very broad range of styles that I like.
I listen to a lot of different types of music, and I like to keep an open mind and open ears. I’m not a specialist for certain styles, and I’m not one of those enthusiasts who would say more or less witty things like „Yes, this is just like I remember Sir Vincent Lancelot conducting the Royal Stately Wonderful Philharmonic at the Met“ or „Don’t you think Mork The Gork Ladidah and the Whatever Trio are overdoing it here when they end this song on Fmaj7?“

I like honest, authentic, handmade music.

My latest discovery is the Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs (http://www.sunnagunnlaugs.com)

I ordered some of her CDs and am listening to this fantastic, first-class jazz over and over again. If you, dear reader, also like handmade music, make sure you treat your ears to Sunna and her music. Don’t expect any „easy listening“, but let yourself be taken away by pleasant, enjoyable sounds which don’t fail to surprise every now and then.

And if you have any recommendations for my hears, I’d love to hear from you.

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Filed under Music, Musik, Sammelsurium