UPDATED 04/10/2008

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   If you enjoy this concert, please donate by clicking on the button to the left! Buzard, Opus 3 (1986) at University of Illinois - Samples by Brett Milan Bach, Johann Sebastian: Short Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 553 Particular emphasis is placed on repeated notes, one of the things that differs between organ and piano techniques. [4:40] HW1 Brahms, Johannes: Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen A sublime setting in which the melody hops from voice to voice of the familiar Christmas hymn. [1:51] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 706 Although the score says "Manualiter" (for Manuals alone), the bottom part makes a viable pedal. It is a very straightforward slightly decorated homophonic version of the chorale, followed by the chorale itself in even simpler form. [1:30] HW1 Sweelinck, Jan Pieterszoon: Echo Fantasia 2 (Ionian) The term "Echo" here is not taken literally, but the change of timbre between "loud" and "soft" is notable. [3:9] Midi file available. HW1 Froberger, J. J.: Canzona V Divided in three sections, the first cheerful melody in common time is mimicked in 12/8 meter, the return to common time begins with a three measure slightly florid transition and a new cheerful subject which alternates between subdominant and tonic keys and ends with more floridity. [2:19] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 674 Continuing the pattern of triple meters, the closing Kyrie is in 9/8 time and a bit more elaborate in conception. [1:45] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Vom Himmel Hoch (Fuga), BWV 700 Pachelbel-like fughetta on the Christmas chorale, perhaps not by Bach, but it has a certain panache. [2:5] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 672 Gentle flutes in 3/4 time sound the opening Kyrie of the Small Lutheran Organ Mass for one manual. [1:17] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Trio Sonata No. 2, BWV 526 The Vivace starts with the two hands playing parallel thirds, followed by a scintillating dialogue, and coming together in thirds again to modulate to a different key. Interesting new ideas abound, and much use is made of trills and held notes. A single measure in the pedal transitions smoothly to an abbreviated form of the beginning. In the Largo long held notes in one hand intertwine with an expressive lyrical motive, underpinned by a prodding bass line. The Allegro has two main themes, the first bold and forthright, the second angular, almost brash, which provide contrasting sections but are not used together. Trills and held notes figure in this last movement as well. [11:42] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 729 A celebratory chorale harmonization with intricate passages between phrases of the Chorale in German Lutheran tradition. [1:54] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Aus tiefer Noth schrei' ich zu dir, BWV 687 This setting of Psalm 130 is quite a bit more cheerful than the text would suggest. [3:9] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Fughetta on Allein Gott, BWV 677 Brisk little trio on the Gloria/Hymn to the Trinity. [1:11] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr', BWV 675 Cheerful setting of the German Gloria with the melody in the alto. [3:36] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: In Dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV 712 Fughetta in 12/8 meter, for manuals alone. The melody is cleverly disguised in the soprano voice. [1:59] HW1 Sweelinck, Jan Pieterszoon: Echo Fantasia 1 (Dorian) A long exposition precedes the sort of echo passages which contrast one manual with another, marked in the score by f[orte] and p[iano]. The Phantom Organist perceived a few more playful echoes possible near the end that were not written in the score. [7:27] Midi file available. HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 703 Less than a minute long, this is a straightforward fughetta using three voices on one manual [0:48] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Vom Himmel Hoch, BWV 701 Charming little bell-like setting of this Christmas hymn for one manual. [1:15] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Short Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 555 The prelude is in a different meter than the fugue, and one of the performance challenges is to make that change immediately apparent even though the subject is slow-moving. Some important technical lessons are contained having to do with suspensions, chromaticism and parallel thirds played together in each hand. [3:7] HW1