UPDATED 06/08/2008

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   If you enjoy this concert, please donate by clicking on the button to the left! E.M. Skinner Organ, Opus 719 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Chicago, Illinois (1928) Samples by Brett Milan Karg-Elert, Sigfrid: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Op. 65, No. 33 Festive and extroverted setting that puts one in mind of Wagner's overture to Die Meistersinger. Features the Tuba Mirabilis and Trompette Enchamade and the 1.5 GB "Toccata" subset. [4:14] HW1 Franck, César: Andantino in Eb minor Repetitive but comforting patterns. Some dynamics added beyond what is indicated in the score. Repetitive but comforting patterns. some dynamics added beyond what is indicated in the score. Followed by an immoderately slow Amen. Uses Romantic subset. [1:19] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 079a A cheerful arrangement from Cantata No. 79 for two organists, one handling the trumpet parts (two lead trumpets in right hand on the Great Trompette en Chamade, the lower trumpet and horn/tympani in left hand on Choir Tuba Mirabilis), the other playing the chorale on the Swell and Pedal). Originally prepared on March 21, 2000, the 315th anniversary of J.S. Bach's birthday. Uses the 1.5 GB "Toccata" Model. [2:14] HW1 Krebs, Johann Ludwig: Four Preludes in F, F, C, C, Br II:04 Played as a suite, the first prelude punctuates with one hand and the pedal, arpeggiates with the other; the second prelude is really a trio with the pedal is less active than usual. The third is kind of an ornate little march, and the fourth a more massive procession. Virtual Performance by James Pressler using the 1.5 GB "Baroque" Model. [5:31] HW1 Karg-Elert, Sigfrid: Herzliebster Jesu, Op. 65, No. 17 "In the style of Heinrich Schütz," 5-voices, 3 enclosed manuals and pedal are simulated on one very large manual with two expression pedals. Tempo indication: Largo doloroso. Very expressive writing with plenty of suspensions, ending on an open 5th. Special custom ODF (based on the 1.5 FB Fonds, but with 16' Gamba on Choir). [3:30] HW1 Franck, César: Offertoire in Eb Major Marked "Andantino poco allegretto" this longish offertory is also long on charm and naïvété. The second 5th of the piece uses some sterner stops that contrast with the lush flues of Choir, Great and Swell coupled together on the 1.5 GB Fonds subset. [4:36] HW1 Froberger, J. J.: Capriccio VI The first of four sections uses an ascending chromatic scale which is answered by a descending one. The second is based a rhythmic variant of the descending scale throughout. The third, in triple meter, ascends once more, and the fourth returns to common meter, using faster notes in alternating ascending and descending patterns. If this sounds too well planned for a mere caprice, just let the waves of sound rush over you and enjoy the ambience. Uses the 1.5 GB "Fonds" subset. [4:17] HW1 Reger, Max: Lobe den Herren, Op. 67, No. 24 The chorale is played on the Pedal coupled to the Choir Tromba and Trompette en Chamade at 8' and 4', accompanied by full Swell and Great. Uses the 1.5 GB Toccata subset. [1:32] HW1 Gigout, Eugène: Gigout: Antienne Dans Le mode Ecclesiastique No. 9 from Ten Pieces for Organ, a rough English translation might be "Refrain in Church Style." The registration calls for Fonds de 8 p. but one tiny Gambette 4' was added at the end to make the low notes a little less obscure. [2:0] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 620 Intensely chromatic double canon on a Passion text, this piece describes Christ's suffering and torment with some tortured harmonies. [2:8] Midi file available. HW1 Karg-Elert, Sigfrid: Mit Ernst, o Menschenkinder, Op. 65, No. 9 The tempo indicated is Largo mysterioso, and the explicit chorale is soloed out on the Great 2nd Diapason accompanied by stringy Choir with rumbly pedal is always preceded by a homophonic version on a voluptuous sounding Swell. Uses the "Fonds" subset. [3:2] HW1 Krebs, Johann Ludwig: Trio in F, Br II:32 This elegaic trio plays as much on the building acoustics as it does on the pipes, which in this case are R.H. Choir French Horn 8', L.H. Great Harmonic Flute 8' + Flute 4' + Twelfth 2 2/3', Pedal Bourdon 16' + Gedackt 8'. 1.5 GB Romantic subset. [3:3] HW1 Reger, Max: Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, Op. 67, No. 16 Very Bachian rhythmic motive, giving way to more romantic chromaticism and drama near the end. Uses the 1.5 GB Romantic subset. [2:5] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Christ Ist Erstanden, BWV 627 Festive three part setting of an Easter chorale from Bach's Liturgical Year. Uses the formidable resources of the 1.5 GB "Baroque" subset. [4:25] HW1 Stanford, C. V.: Prelude 4, Op. 101 No. 4 Featuring the Choir Clarinet with flues from the Great and Swell, this prelude is marked "Andante tranquillo." Uses the 1.5 GB Romantic subset. Many thanks to Tom O'Driscoll for the score, and for the suggestion that I slow it down a tad. [2:30] HW1 Gigout, Eugène: Sortie No. 10 from Ten Pieces for Organ, Based on the tune "Adoremus in aeternum." Ponderous chords lead to a fugal exposition with the choral tune as a subject in two tempi, then the Cantus enters the pedal in what would almost appear to be a baroque treatment, but for the spectacular Hollywood ending. Uses the 1.5 GB Toccata subset. [4:18] HW1 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot', BWV 678 Exquisite canonic treatment of the chorale melody sounded on the Trompette en Chamade, with Swell, Great and Pedal Principal Choruses. Uses the "Toccata" subset. [5:3] Midi file available. HW1 Mendelssohn, Felix: Sonata VI, Finale Although the entire Sonata is based on "Vater Unser," Mendelssohn chose to make a restful piece on unrelated ideas. Exploring the strings and flutes of Choir and Swell divisions with much expression but without tremulants. WAV file is available in RAR format: here (12.0 MB). [2:35] HW1 Franck, César: Pièce Heroïque Masterfully heroic writing based on simple but engaging themes, with a glorious ending. [7:58] HW1