UPDATED 06/08/2008

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   If you enjoy this concert, please donate by clicking on the button to the left! Casavant, Opus 3246 (1975) at Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign, Illinois - Samples by Brett Milan Bach, Johann Sebastian: Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 651 The first chorale setting is a grand fantasia in the manuals over a prolonged sounding of the chorale made prominent by the 16' pedal reed. The initials J. J. precede this score, which stands for Jesu Juvat (Jesus, help!). [6:36] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot', BWV 678 Canonic treatment of the chorale melody sounded on the Great Trumpet, with a tender accompaniment on Brustwerk and Pedal flues. [4:18] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Schmücke Dich, BWV 654 A loving setting of the communion hymn, "Deck Thyself, My Soul, With Gladness." The ornamented Chorale is played on 8-4-2 2/3 on the Brustwerk, created by playing an octave lower, accompanied by the Hauptwerk 8 Principal (the repeat utilizes just two 8' flutes and the Pedal 8' Principal). [6:19] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653 A setting of Psalm 137, "By the Waters of Babylon," featuring the Sesquialtera stop. [4:16] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Fantasia in C Major, BWV 570 An early piece for manuals alone that is sometimes used prior to weddings, here registered for Flutes 8-4-2. [2:16] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 666 An exquisitely calm setting for manuals alone, with a single pedal note underlying the ending. [3:21] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657 A very grand treatment of the familiar Lutheran hymn of thanksgiving. This version comes from the Leipzig chorales, and features the Trumpet on the chorale. [4:2] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt, BWV 1113 Broad chordal approach, with echos and pedal part added by the Phantom Organist. From the Neumeister Chorale Collection. [1:57] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr', BWV 676 Bach again takes the word "Trinity" literally and constructs a scintillating trio. The sixteenth-note accompanimental pattern derives from the chorale, but then the chorale appears in dotted quarters, two phrases on the lower manual, two phrases on the upper manual; a phrase on the upper, another on the lower, and it finally appears in the pedal, echoed by the upper manual. The registration never changes, but great variety occurs due to Bach's cleverness. [5:16] Midi file available. HW1 Brahms, Johannes: O wie selig From the Eleven Preludes for organ, which place Lutheran hymnody in lyrically romantic settings. [1:31] HW1 Grigny, Nicolas De: Dialogue à 2 Tailles de Cromorne et 2 Dessus, de Cornet Written for Communion, two distinct themes are used, one in quarter notes, one in eighth notes (inégales). For experimental French Baroque organ, enhanced with impulse reverberation. [2:43] HW1 Grigny, Nicolas De: Pièce du Premier Ton Go, the Mass is ended. [1:12] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Von Gott will Ich nicht lassen, BWV 658 The Chorale is sounded in the 4' Choral Bass as well as the 4' Regal in the pedal. A strong affirmation that nothing can separate us from God, even human free will. [3:31] HW1 Walther, Johann Gottfried: Partita on "Jesu, Meine Freude" Nine variations on a beloved German chorale, known in English as "Jesus, all my gladness," revealing an engaging variety of moods and compositional techniques, as well as showcasing a wide variety of organ combinations. All but the ninth are played on the manuals with an occasional pedal note at cadences. This last variation brings the chorale melody out on full pedal for a satisfying conclusion. [13:4] HW1