Christmas Organ Music

Organists are traditionally very busy at Christmas but, oddly, I do not have a very large Christmas repertoire. That said, I have recently bought a couple of Christmas books and single items from online retailers. One composer I am following is Phil Lehenbauer and, as I write, I am listening to the piece below.

Not in England (much)

The video below popped up today. It is a typical piece of German organ music by that chap J. S. Bach.

Whilst most cathedral and large parish church organs could do it justice, for the average parish organist - with just a pedal 16' Bourdon - any performance is likely to be quite disappointing. There are also many organs on which one would not attempt it.

This is performed on a sampled organ using the Hauptwerk system.

Das Jesulein

I have done quite a lot of practice today. Fifty years ago I did my Grade 4 organ and played the piece below. I've revised it a few times since then but I had fresh ideas on fingering and registration today.

Christmas

It is still October but I have started to work up some Christmas voluntaries. I have a few Advent pieces up my sleeve.

Small instruments

Most organists here in the UK preside over rather modest instruments although we probably all aspire to play large (new) organs.

A lot of new music is being composed for the organ around the world but much of it has been conceived on digital organs in homes and sounds very good. It will not, however, sound so splendid on a small two-manual English parish church organ.

Here is an example of what the composer hears at home.

Five-part Fantasia

The music at the Her Majesty the Queen's funeral was of the finest quality and performed to an exceptionally high standard. I admit to disliking the way the Bach 5-part Fantasia was played with the notes inégales which were discussed on Facebook and probably elsewhere.

This is how the piece is normally played.