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A few more: Bach, Froberger, Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, Byrd, Widor

Posted by Bambi B (A) on May 18, 2007 at 09:33:56

In Reply to: Besides the French composers, who else does pipe organ music well? posted by vacuous on May 17, 2007 at 15:00:25:

vacuous,

I'm a big organ music fan with piles of recordings and studied for awhile.

The lists of composers here is impressive- Ears mentions Froberger, who is one of my favourites- a bit eccentric- a sort of 17th C. Satie. His works are more often recorded on harpsichord- I have the complete works with Richard Egarr on both harpsichord and organ. I heartily recommend this set, although it's out of print- Globe label- 4 sets of 2 discs. Froberger was influenced by Frescobaldi and the music is quite chromatic, complex rhyhmically and sometimes impressionistic.

The all time master of the organ was of course ol' J.S. Bach an dI believe it's worth eventuially having all of his works. The Passacaglia and Fugue in Cmin, Great Gmin Fantasy and Fugue are among the most exciting keyboard works I know. A starting point might be Peter Hurford "Great Organ Works" - 2CDs London 443-475-2

Another composer in the Froberger vein is Sweelinck, whose work is also somewhat mannerist and chromatic- wonderful textues. I recommend Christpher Herrick's 2CD set on Hyperion (CDA67421/2). This set probably represents a fair percentage of Sweelinck's composition and is on a reconstruction of a 17th C organ.

The earlier FRench organ music is interesting too and you might enjoy Corrette.

More fun organ:

Frescobaldi: The Tocattas,Caprices- fantasies ans so on are often played on organ- and are interesting, complex works- again a bit mannerist, and intriguing and textured.

Buxtehude: A Bach predessesor and great contrapuctal writer. Try the budget complete organ works set Walter Kraft on Vox Box- 6 CDs (CD6X 3613).

Widor: Try the "Organ Symphonies"- the 5th has a fast movement that is just monumental.

Byrd: Keyboard music in the 16th C was not differentiated between instruments- unless there's a clear part that only be accomplished with a pedal board. I recommend Davitt Moroney's complete Byrd keyboard on 7- Hyperion performed on various harpsichords, virginals, clavichord, and organs. The performances and recording is all carefully done and though probably about 1/3 is organ, I think this set is worthwhile for any serious early keyboard music fan. I listen to these discs often.

Handel: Organ concertoes

Liszt: Fantasy on B.A.C.H.

Messiaen

A few worthwhile organists- not in order:

Rubsam
Marie Claire Alain- her father was a composer for organ
Kraft
Rogg
Leonhardt
Egarr
Hurford
Biggs
Herrick
Isoir
Fagius
Murray- (try "Bach Organ Blaster" on Telarc- and turn it up!)

I'm sure I'll think of a dozen others later.

Don't forget collections by period ot theme with multiple composers. It may be out of print, but Jean Guillou's "Organ Encores" on Dorian DOR-90112 and there are numerous "early Renaissance Dutch organ music" and so on.

I have perhaps 700 organ recordings and this is of course a huge subject we could discuss for years, but I think this thread is making some very good suggestions.

Cheers,

Bambi B

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