Classic Titles from H.W. Gray for Organ Thursday, August 03, 2023
recommended by Christopher B., Organ Music Specialist
At the Organ with Virgil Fox
A performer’s edition of the most often performed organ works of the renowned Virgil Fox. This collection includes his markings, registrations and performance hints. 29 pieces are included ranging from chorale settings, Christmas music, transcriptions of choral and orchestral works to an exciting arrangement of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ Titles include: “Adagio from Vivaldi’s Concerto in D minor” (J.S. Bach), “Adagio Cantabile” (J.S. Bach), “Arioso” (J.S. Bach), “Cantabile Symphonique” (Camille Saint-Saens), “Come Sweetest Death, Come Blessed Rest” (J.S. Bach), “Echo Noel” (Louis Claude D’Aquin), “Fanfares from Parsifal” (Richard Wagner), “Giga” (M. Enrico Bossi), “Good King Wenceslas” (Traditional), “Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah” (George Frideric Handel), “In Dulci Jubilo” (Traditional), “In Dulci Jubilo” (J.S. Bach), “In Dulci Jubilo” (Franz Liszt), “Joy to the World” (George Frideric Handel), “Libera Me from Requiem” (Gabriel Faure), “Nocturne from Shylock” (Gabriel Faure), “Noel Sue Les Flutes” (Louis Claude D’Aquin), “Now Thank We All Our God” (J.S. Bach), “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Traditional), “Pastoral Symphony from Messiah” (George Frideric Handel), “Perpetuum Mobile” (Wilhelm Middleschulte), “Rigaudon from Idomenee” (Andre Campra), “Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele” (J.S. Bach), “Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele” (Johannes Brahms), “Sheep May Safely Graze” (J.S. Bach), “Silent Night” (Franz Gruber), “Simple Gifts” (Traditional), “The Star-Spangled Banner” (Traditional), and “Ye Sweet Retreat” (William Boyce).
Seventy-Nine Chorales, Op. 28 by Marcel Dupré
Marcel Dupré prepared these short works, not as “another version” of the famous chorales and chorale preludes of J.S. Bach, but rather as a means of making the beginning organist aware of the beautiful chorale melodies and to prepare him or her for the study of Bach’s works. Included are registration suggestions, fingering, pedaling notation, and dynamics. This is an important book for the development of the organist’s technical and artistic skills, and at the same time for the presentation of beautiful organ chorales.
Fifteen Pieces for Organ by Marcel Dupré
Written in 1920, and originally published in 1934, this 3-section collection for organ features beautiful settings based on Antiphons (1-5), Ave Maris Stella (1-4), and Magnificat (1-6), for the experienced organist.
Ten Trios on Familiar Hymns arr. David Lasky
Lasky has once again created a wonderful collection of intermediate-level hymn arrangements based on tunes found in most all denominational hymnals. This collection will be useful throughout the church year for church musicians, and these trios will be good exercises for organ students, too. Tunes included are: “Azmon,” “Detroit,” “Duke Street,” “Houston,” “King’s Weston,” “Nettleton,” “Orientis Partibus,” “Resignation,” “St. Agnes,” and “Westminster Abbey.”
Organ Music for Meditation and Praise by Robert J. Powell
Noted composer/arranger Robert J. Powell introduces a collection of original organ solos. All are useful for service pieces, and easily learned. Suitable to any size instrument. Titles include: “Fanfare,” “Meditation,” “Andante,” “God Is Gone Up,” “Tranquility,” “Pastorale,” and “Festival Praise.”
The Organist’s Anthology, Volume 2: Preludes, Postludes, and Special Music
This essential collection of service music gives organists a wide variety of musical styles featuring pieces for Easter, Christmas, weddings, and general use. Titles include: “Prelude on I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord,” “Partita on an Early American Folk Hymn (Foundation),” “Wedding March” (Mendelssohn), “Bridal Chorus” (Wagner), “Easter Morn,” Bach “Sinfonia, Chorale, and Variation,” “Simple Gifts,” Bach’s “Sinfonia from Wir Danken Dir, Gott,” “Fanfare on America the Beautiful,” “Prelude on Amazing Grace,” Rachmaninoff’s “Eighteenth Variation from Rapsodie on a Theme of Paganini,” and many more.
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About the Author:
Christopher B. grew up in eastern Kentucky in a musically diverse family, and began playing organ at the age of 12. He majored in vocal performance with minors in keyboards and conducting at Marshall University and later received a Master of Theological Studies in congregational ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Christopher has served as a church music director and organist for more than 20 years, presently serving as Director of Music and Worship Arts/Organist at Church of the Master United Methodist in Westerville, OH.