http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/organpod.asp Organ music in the public domain performed by Jane Bourdow on St. Luke's Visser pipe organ en-us Copyright 2008 St. Luke's Episcopal Church. All rights reserved. Fri, 16 May 2008 18:15:00 -0500 Mon, 1 Apr 2009 19:05:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/images/OrganPod.jpg http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/organpod.asp http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-21-2008-12-12.mp3 The Christmas chorale "Vom Himmel hoch" ("From heaven above to earth I come" ) is played here in a setting which may or may not be by the master himself; certain compositional elements point to the work of a lesser composer. Nonetheless, this is an exciting yet dignified, full-organ work with the chorale melody booming forth played by the reed stops of the pedal. Jane Bourdow J.S. BAch http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Mon, 1 Apr 2009 19:05:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-20-2008-12-12.mp3 Frank Bridge (1879-1941) was an English composer, violist and conductor, and teacher, notably of Benjamin Britten. While most of his compositions were for orchestra or chamber ensembles, he left a small number of organ works, of which the emotional Adagio in E Major is probably the best-known. It is an excellent piece to demonstrate the dynamic range of the organ, beginning and ending with ethereal, soft sounds and building to nearly full organ in the middle. Jane Bourdow Frank Bridge http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Sun, 1 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-19-2008-12-12.mp3 Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) is one of the towering figures of English music. He composed in almost all forms, sacred and secular, vocal and instrumental, contributed greatly to the perpetuation of English folksong, and although not a religious person, edited the renowned English Hymnal. His small output of organ music includes a set of three preludes on Welsh hymn tunes, of which "Rhosymedre" (which is translated as "lovely" ) is the most lyrical. Jane Bourdow Ralph Vaughan Williams http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:07:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-18-2008-12-12.mp3 Dieterich Buxtehude gained great fame as organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck and had a profound influence on the young Johann Sebastian Bach, who once trekked several hundred miles on foot to experience Buxtehude's music-making. The Epiphany hymn "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" ("How bright appears the Morning Star") is treated here as a chorale fantasia, with bits of the melody interspersed with other musical material. The organ pedal is only used at the very end, appearing along with the sparkling bells of the zimbelstern. Jane Bourdow Dieterich Buxtehude http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Sun, 1 Feb 2009 18:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-17-2008-12-12.mp3 Although perhaps less well-known today than some other French composers of noëls, Jean-Jacques Beauvarlet-Charpentier was one of the most celebrated organists of his day (1734-1794). He held many prestigious organist positions, culminating with his appointment to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The piece heard here includes, atypically, a cadenza where the performer may improvise a bit, and dialogue between full organ and two "echo" divisions of the organ. Jane Bourdow Jean-Jacques Beauvarlet-Charpentier http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:30:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-16-2008-12-12.mp3 French composers of the Baroque era were noted for their Noëls - organ variations on Christmas melodies. Jean-François Dandrieu (1682-1738) was organist of the royal chapel in Paris, and a noted composer of music for both organ and harpsichord. The Noël de Saintonge features the quieter reed stops of the organ, bagpipe-like effects, and you may even hear hints of a drum, although there is no drum stop on the organ! Jane Bourdow Jean-François Dandrieu http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Thu, 1 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-15-2008-09-19.mp3 This grand hymn melody has always been associated with the Advent text "Lo! He comes, with clouds descending." Its attribution to the composer Thomas Arne is less certain: some sources credit Wesleyan preacher Thomas Olivers with adapting it in 1765 from something he heard being whistled in the street. However, the tune was first published in 1763 and had probably been in use for some years prior to that. Early versions are full of trills and other ornaments; it took Ralph Vaughan Williams to transform it into a stately tune more suited to the apocalyptic text. The name Helmsley refers to a small Yorkshire town associated with John Wesley. Jane Bourdow T.A. Arne http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-14-2008-09-19.mp3 This chorale prelude is the first of three settings of the well-known Advent hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come" found in the collection known as the "Leipzig" or "Great Eighteen" chorales. The chorale melody is here laden with so much ornamentation that it is barely recognizable, but the overall effect is one of beauty and elegance. Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-13-2008-09-19.mp3 Some doubt exists as to whether the so-called "Eight Little" preludes and fugues are actually by the master or one of his students, but they remain in the repertoire of every organist and are excellent introductions to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach for the organ student. Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Tues, 18 Nov 2008 19:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-12-2008-09-19.mp3 This serene chorale prelude is actually the very last work we have of Bach, who, blind and dying, dictated it to his son-in-law on his deathbed. By using the hymn text "Before thy throne I will appear", Bach indicated his readiness for death and faith in the afterlife. Bach's monumental "Art of Fugue" was incomplete at his death, and performances of this work often break off where his manuscript ends and are followed by the music heard here. Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Sat, 1 Nov 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-11-2008-09-19.mp3 André Campra (1660-1744) was a French composer whose most notable position was as music master at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Equally at home in the sacred and secular realms of music, he wrote for the Paris Opéra as well as producing religious music for choirs and solo voices. The Rigaudon is a majestic piece from one of his operas, often still used in modern times as an elegant wedding processional. Jane Bourdow André Campra http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:27:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-10-2008-06-27.mp3 Scholars are not certain whether or not the eight so-called "little" preludes and fugues attributed to Bach were actually composed by the master himself. There is some evidence that they may be by Bach's favorite student, Johann Ludwig Krebs, whom Bach liked to call "the best crab (Krebs, in German) in the brook". Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Wed, 1 Oct 2008 19:20:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-09-2008-06-27.mp3 François Couperin (1668-1733) inherited the position of organist of St-Gervais in Paris from his father at the age of 11, taking full charge of the music there at age 18. He was also appointed organist and court musician to Louis XIV at Versailles. He is perhaps best known for his harpsichord music, but also contributed two monumental organ masses to the literature. In typical French Baroque fashion, the mass movements were meant to be played in alternation with chants sung by the choir and derive their titles from the organ registrations used. Tièrce en taille features the colorful tierce stop, which sounds 2 octaves and a third above the notated pitch, in a melody played in the tenor range ("en taille"). Jane Bourdow François Couperin http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:10:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-08-2008-06-27.mp3 While Brahms is better known for his orchestral and piano music, he contributed several free compositions and eleven chorale preludes to the organ literature; the latter were the last music he wrote before his death in 1897. O welt, ich muss dich lassen (O world, I now must leave thee( is the last of the eleven and thus Brahms' very last composition. Jane Bourdow Johannes Brahms http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Mon, 1 Sep 2008 12:11:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-07-2008-06-27.mp3 François Couperin (1668-1733) inherited the position of organist of St-Gervais in Paris from his father at the age of 11, taking full charge of the music there at age 18. He was also appointed organist and court musician to Louis XIV at Versailles. He is perhaps best known for his harpsichord music, but also contributed two monumental organ masses to the literature. In typical French Baroque fashion, the mass movements were meant to be played in alternation with chants sung by the choir and derive their titles from the organ registrations used. The Dialogue is a lively piece featuring contrasting divisions of the full organ.François Couperin (1668-1733( inherited the position of organist of St-Gervais in Paris from his father at the age of 11, taking full charge of the music there at age 18. He was also appointed organist and court musician to Louis XIV at Versailles. He is perhaps best known for his harpsichord music, but also contributed two monumental organ masses to the literature. In typical French Baroque fashion, the mass movements were meant to be played in alternation with chants sung by the choir and derive their titles from the organ registrations used. The Dialogue is a lively piece featuring contrasting divisions of the full organ. Jane Bourdow François Couperin http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Sat, 16 Aug 2008 14:45:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-06-2008-06-27.mp3 While Brahms is better known for his orchestral and piano music, he contributed several free compositions and eleven chorale preludes to the organ literature; the latter were the last music he wrote before his death in 1897. O Gott, du frommer Gott (O God, thou faithful God( treats this rather obscure chorale pianistically, with long lyrical phrases and very little use of the pedals.of the pedals. Jane Bourdow Johannes Brahms http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Fri, 1 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-05-2008-05-09.mp3 Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) was an Italian composer, writer, teacher and magistrate. He composed in many forms and was most famous in his lifetime for a series of 50 psalm settings in cantata form. Psalm XIX exists in a number of organ transcriptions; the one heard here is by E. Power Biggs. Jane Bourdow Benedetto Marcello http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-04-2008-05-09.mp3 A number of the preludes in Johann Sebastian Bach's Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") were actually written during Bach's brief imprisonment for attempting to leave the employ of the Duke of Weimar. "Wer nur den lieben" is notable for the pervasive long-short-short rhythm which for Bach always symbolized joy. Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Tue, 1 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-03-2008-05-09.mp3 Johann Sebastian Bach's Orgelbüchlein ("Little Organ Book") is a group of chorale preludes encompassing the entire church year and intended as instructional material for organists, although they are by no means easy to play. "Ich ruf zu dir" is a prayerful piece featuring the clarinet-like chalumeau stop. Jane Bourdow J.S. Bach http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-02-2008-05-09.mp3 Buxtehude's chorale preludes would have been used either to introduce the singing of the chorales or as interludes between stanzas. "Nun bitten wir" is a quiet and introspective prayer to the Holy Spirit. Jane Bourdow Dieterich Buxtehude http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Sun, 1 Jun 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/podcasts/organpod/OrganPod-01-2008-05-09.mp3 Dieterich Buxtehude gained great fame as organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck and had a profound influence on the young Johann Sebastian Bach. These chorale preludes would have been used either to introduce the singing of the chorales or as interludes between stanzas. "Ein feste Burg" presents the familiar "A Mighty Fortress" chorale as a lively trumpet solo. Jane Bourdow Dieterich Buxtehude http://www.saintlukeschurch.net/index.asp Fri, 16 May 2008 18:30:00 EST