Let's start episode 706 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. Today we decided to discuss a little bit about our last summer organ trips. So we hope you will enjoy our conversation about all the recitals that we played in various countries.
This question was sent by Matthew, and he writes:
“Hello Vidas & Ausra,
Thank you for all that you are doing to encourage and coach organists!
1. What is your dream for organ playing?
Be able to accompany any song without losing the mood of the song. Rich bass and appropriate chords.
2. What are 3 most important things that are holding you back from realizing your dream?
a. Fingering
b. Unable to play soprano and alto in the right hand simultaneously (bass and tenor in the left hand simultaneously)
c. Knowledge of chords
Best regards,
Mathew”
This question was sent by Leo, and he writes:
Good morning, Which of your studies do you recommend for learning repertoire within a short period of time?
Thanks, Leo
This question was sent by Pamela, and she has a dream to be the best organist that she can be. And holding her back is playing anxiety, physical stamina, and lack of concentration.
This question was sent by Leo, and he writes
Good evening,
Thanks so much for the fine work that you and your staff render.
I am currently moving into a new position as organist for the Second Presbyterian Church here in Memphis. I am ecstatic about this amazing opportunity.
Are there any secrets or nuggets of wisdom as it pertains to learning difficult pieces quickly. Please advise or share what to purchase on your website.
Thank you
Leo
This question was sent by Richard, and he writes:
“Hey Vidas,
I just watched your video of 4 movements your Nun Danket Suite - VERY nice.
Question: how do the tablets with the music score know when to switch as they do?
Thanks!
Richard”
This question was sent by Pedro, and he writes:
1. My dream is to improve my improvisation techniques. I think this goes through more music analysis, and trying to write down small pieces. I would also like to be more confident when choosing the appropriate registration. And finally I would like to change my finger touch, that is still one of a trained pianist.
2. Things that hold me to reach that goal is : Time to play more often and access to an organ.
Thank you, Pedro
This question was sent by Rien Schalkwijk, our friend from YouTube, and he wants to know how Rorate caeli, ornamented chorale prelude by Jeanne Demessieux is constructed.
This question was sent by Rebekah, and she writes:
1) My dream is to be able to sight-read hymns well enough that a last minute change to a hymn in a church service doesn’t worry me.
2) What’s holding me back is time - I just started playing the organ a little less than 3 months ago, and I can only get to the church to practice 3 days a week. I do practice on my piano at home on the other days.
Rebekah”
Today, we’d like to talk about how to teach in an organ studio where one student is playing with one finger only, and another rather well.
Today, I would like to talk about what to do when you come to practice and there is a funeral in the church. It has happened to us many times before. We had our Unda Maris Studio rehearsal planned, but before that, we were going to record some organ music on our church organ. But before entering the church, we noticed widely opened doors which means something is going on. And sure enough, in one of the chapels, there was a funeral being prepared.
Today, we’d like to talk a little bit about how and why Total Organist Community has migrated from Basecamp to Discord.
This question was sent by Ed, he is one of our Total Organist students and he writes:
You asked me to get back to you about what I’m practicing, and I had to wait a few days to figure out how to explain this. As I mentioned in my prior email I have a masters degree in organ performance from many years ago, and then let it lapse for several decades. Now that I’m retired I’m trying to make the magic happen again, and it’s been challenging to figure out how to put the pieces back together. My technique has really slipped a good bit, most of my repertoire is rusty, and if I’m not careful I can get pretty discouraged.
One thing that has helped me is that I put together the attached spreadsheet. I took several days to go through all the music in the boxes to try to remember what I had learned already. I even found pieces that clearly I had played because my handwriting is all over the paper, yet I could not remember anything about the piece. I put all this information into a spreadsheet to help me understand my priorities and the current state of each of the pieces I was working on. It’s been very helpful to keep my focus to resurrect all of the things I’ve learned already well while still branching into some new material.
I’m in a good daily routine now. I spend about 30 minutes split between Hanon and the Davis textbook pedal exercises to get my dexterity back, and then I look through this repertoire list and pick some things that I’m interested in moving up on the current status list. I get pretty tired by mid afternoon, so I save the evening for watching YouTube videos from your site. I also got a copy of the New Oxford Organ Method which I find delightful. One chapter a day seems to be good to remind me of what I used to know.
Keep up the great work. Every hour you put into organization is going to have tremendous benefits and increase the availability and respect for what you’ve done. Thanks so much.
Take care,
Ed
Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #693!
Today's guest is harpsichordist Alina Rotaru. Alina studied piano and choral conducting at the music academy in her hometown of Bucharest. After moving to Germany, she studied harpsichord with Siegbert Rampe and Wolfgang Kostujak at the Folkwang University of the Arts Essen, with Bob van Asperen at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and with Carsten Lohff and Detlef Bratschke at the University of the Arts Bremen. She is an active soloist and ensemble player, and also in charge of various orchestral, opera, and sacred music projects of the German Early and Late Baroque as an artistic director. As a soloist, she has performed across most of Europe, as well as in Japan, South America and USA. She teaches at the University of the Arts in Bremen. Her solo recordings of harpsichord works by JP Sweelinck, JJ Froberger, and English virginalists have earned excellent reviews in the music press and among their peers. Together with viol player Darius Stabinskas, Alina is the co-founder of the ensemble MORGAINE, which focuses on the music of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In this conversation, we talk about her love for early music, playing harpsichord and Sigismundus Lauxmin International Harpsichord Contest which she organised the 2nd time this year.
Relevant links:
https://alinarotarumusic.wordpress.com
http://www.bmfestival.lt
http://www.bmfestival.lt/bmf2022/en/contest.html
http://fontesmusicae.pl/notes-editions-c-series/
http://fontesmusicae.pl/szelest-en/
This question was sent by Martin, and his response is to the question, “What are his goals in organ playing in the next 3-6 months?” So he writes:
“Improving my pedaling technique, independence of hands and feet”.
This question was sent by Steven, and he writes:
“Vidas,
Here are my responses to your questions.
1. What is your dream for organ playing?
My dream is to improve my playing with the most effective way to practice and get the most out of my practice time.
2. What are 3 most important things that are holding you back from realising your dream?
A. Effective practice and getting the most out of practice time.
B. Better registrations for the music
C. Being more confident in my playing
Currently practicing Widor’s Toccata from his 5th organ symphony and Vierne’s Finale from 1st symphony and Carillon de Westminster. And these works of J.S. Bach:
Toccata and Fugue in d minor BWV 565
Fugue in D BWV 532a
Praeludium and Fugue in d minor BWV 549a
The Gigue Fugue, BWV 577.
Thank you for all you two do in assisting others to improve their playing skills at the organ.
Steven”
This question was sent by Andrew, and he writes
Dear Vidas,
My answers to your recent questions:
1. My dream is to be able to play the organ confidently in the liturgy and perhaps in recitals occasionally.
2. The 3 most important things holding me back from this are:
- Poor sense of timing and rhythm
- Lack of focus and concentration in practicing
- My legs are both slightly twisted outwards, which makes some pedaling uncomfortable (especially around the middle of the pedalboard; I cannot place my knees close together without great effort)
Nonetheless, I am finding Total Organist a very useful resource and community. I find your daily emails especially helpful.
My best wishes to you and Ausra from England, Andrew
This question was sent by Rita, and she writes:
I am learning a lot from your episodes. I am a trained pianist but also play organ. The main problem with being an organist is that you usually can't practice at home because most people don't own organs and even so...probably not a pipe organ! There are many true organists that utilize all the stops and use both feet seamlessly. Because I now play on 4 different organs… I want to give the listeners/participants the best experience. My suggestion is to focus on the easiest registrations… easiest way of just knowing how to prepare for playing the quickest and easiest way. Practice makes perfect so my goal is to gain access to my 4 churches and devote practice time to each organ. Thank you again for your helpful lessons!
Find out more at organduo.lt!
This question was sent by Odubiyi, and he writes:
“My dreams for the Organ is to be a master on the Organ. Things holding me back: light, faulty pedal notes, spending too much time without getting much progress. Art of performance”
Find out more at https://organduo.lt
This question was sent by Robin, and she writes:
Hello,
I am a singer first and a pianist second. . . and an organist very much third!
I was asked last September to serve as a short-term substitute pianist for a church whose organist had fallen and injured herself. The piano playing was easily accomplished with my existing skills. After a short time, the organist decided that it was time to retire, and the organist job became available permanently, and it was offered to me. I made it clear that I did not play the organ but that I was willing to learn, and the church was willing to accept me on that basis. The church's choir had not sung for 22 months because of COVID, and so they had lost their choir director as well. I offered to cover both positions, as is done in many churches. So as of January, I became the Director of Music, a position I had never expected to hold. I'm taking organ lessons as fast as I can with the best organist in town, and I am playing the organ every Sunday and working hard to choose fine, liturgically appropriate music that is manageable at my novice level.
All of that is a long way of saying that there is way more to playing the organ than I, as a pianist, ever imagined. I had thought it would mainly be a matter of learning about the stops and learning to play the pedals, and the manuals would be no problem. I had no prior understanding of the very different fingering technique required for the organ. So I am doing my best with my limited abilities to play music that contributes to the worship services, that interests and uplifts the congregation, and that is musically of a high quality.
The three main obstacles I am working to overcome in order to do that are 1) learning to play the pedals, 2) learning about registrations and 3) learning about proper fingering technique. I realize that that pretty much covers most everything about playing the organ, but you asked for the three main things with which I need help! I need more time and more practice and more instruction on all of these aspects in order to play at the level to which I aspire.
Thank you. ~Robin
This question was sent by Gena, and she is our Total Organist community member. She has sent me her answer to the question what is her dream in organ playing for the next three months and also what are some of her challenges. So she writes:
“Thank you!
1. Full public organ recital on fine instrument here in FL. Program pieces have been gradually prepared over several years.
2. Currently putting all keyboard efforts into the next full piano recital Shall We Dance. Have a professional teacher/coach weekly. Can’t do both goals at once due to poor health, lack of time and organ teacher/coach. Still singing in multiple choirs.
Gena
Florida and Colorado
USA”
This question was sent by Dimi, and he writes about his dreams and the challenges that he is facing. So:
“1. I dream to play at my future organ romantic and baroque pieces, but not only that.
2. I plan to buy a used electronic organ (Ahlborn DS series, 2 manual+pedal) and I haven't found the owner manual and the service manual online, I looked on some forums and sent emails to Ahlborn website, but so far no answer.
The price is €250.
I can (barely) afford it, it is about 39% of my total net income, despite that I am optimistic.
I will use my Edirol FA-66 interface and GrandOrgue to test it.”
This question was sent by Scott, and he writes
My dream is to be able to play well enough that what I'm playing is recognizable. You see, I was once a church organist for 20+ years, until I had my first stroke on January 1, 1999. Two more strokes followed in 2013, so I have had 2 strokes paralyzing my dominant right side and 1 stroke weakening my left side and making it greatly uncoordinated. Now I play for physical therapy, but I can't find any easy music for my left hand and left foot alone!
So he writes further:
1. Finding music
2. Adapting existing music
3. Maintaining correct technique while I learn how to play in a new way, and being able to recognize that a given piece is not meant for me to play but to be satisfied with just listening to it being played by another.
This question was sent by Martin, and he writes
Dear Vidas,
I really enjoy receiving your emails and watching your Youtube channel. From early childhood, I always admired organ music and organists. In church, I would always go up to watch how the organ was played. I grew up in Bratislava, Slovakia, and listening to the organ in the big Lutheran church was quite an experience (4 manual, 62 stops). It was always my dream to play it. Alas, my life took a different path and I now live in Canada. Last year, being stuck at home due to the COVID pandemic, I discovered the Hauptwerk virtual pipe organ. I built myself a 3-manual console + 25 pedal and started to learn. Your Youtube channel and those of other expert organists are an enormous help and inspiration, and I try to follow your tutorial steps as much as possible. One thing I might like your advice on is the following: since organ playing is my hobby, I can only devote maybe an hour a day to practice (sometimes even less). What would be the best way to use this time? Practice a little bit of everything every day (scales + compositions)? Or do scales (mainly pedals) one day, and composition(s) another?
Many thanks and best wishes
Martin
This question was sent by Rolf, and he writes his answer to my question, What is his dream in organ playing right now, and also what are some obstacles in reaching this dream? So,
1. Playing Buxtehude and Bach reasonably well and being able to improvise simple but beautiful melodies for the church service.
2. Earlier there were three things: time, money and lack of knowledge. Since I am retired two things: money and lack of knowledge. I can study well on my own and there are plenty beautiful instruments in my house and churches around me.
Greetings
Rolf
This question was sent by Rolf, and he writes:
“Hi Vidas
Very good wishes for you both!
I want to tell you that I am studying this wonderful Praeludium in C from JS Bach, using your tips. Especially the tip cutting the piece in 4 bars and not making any mistake by playing slower, it’s working! In fact it goes faster and it’s giving me a lot of pleasure, thank you very much!!
I will support your beautiful work of course.
Greetings from Groningen
Rolf”
This question was sent by Miguel, and he is in our Total Organist community plus he takes private lessons with me, and one time he wrote this message:
“My back was quite painful, but now I'm fully recovered and practicing again. Part of the problem was sitting for too long, apart from the 8 hours a day I sit for my computer work at the bank. I sit an hour or two on a bench with no back support. The physio also told me that the movements of the legs on the pedals have a toll on the spine.
So, I've been reintroducing walking that I haven't done for quite a while and also using my height adjustable desk for standing as well as sitting, at least during working hours.
Did you have problems with your back due to organ playing, or do you know other people that had the same problem?”
This question was sent by Hubertus, and he writes,
Hello Ausra,
Heard your demo of the Alessandria organ with interest. Thank you for hearing you play on that. However, I am 75 and do not yet have enough experience to distinguish what those sounds for registrations entail, because I only started playing about 13 years ago, the total overview is missing.
I also bought that organ this year, but I don't know what registrations you played the music with.
Is it possible to use the "Simple" screen for a next demonstration instead of the Console, so that it is possible to follow your choice of registrations, in order to be able to try them out by myself, because it sounded very nice, but my knowledge falls short.
Hope you can/will comply with my request.
Thanks for listening to me.
Best regards. Hubertus
This question was sent by Stephen, and he writes:
“I love the Zipoli Pastorale...!!! Thank you... Zipoli is one of my favorite early Baroque composers!”
Vidas: I wrote to him, “Thanks Stephen! What other composers do you like?” And Stephen writes: “In a more contemporary "vein" I am fond of Dale Wood's music. There are passages in his work that require a legato technique especially with chords...Sometimes I am at a loss as to how best to play them...finger substitution..but which is best..that sort of challenge.
In answer to your question, what composers do I like ....Of course BACH, esp some of the Chorale Preludes. and I intensely care for the Eight Short Preludes and Fugues attributed to Bach but maybe not ?? I think his pupil Krebs may have had a hand in composing these??? I cannot prove that of course. but I love these pieces and I have always played them from the Wayne Leupold Edition...Sandra Soderland, editor. I prefer to follow her revelations as to style and registrations etc...all toes pedal!!!! I love them and find they never bore me....I studied them formally with Dr. Laura Ellis. Always from the Soderland Ed.! I never learned them any other way. so I was lucky :) Thank you and your wife/life partner for all you do to extend education to all who seek ....”
Vidas: And I wrote to him again, “Thanks Stephen! Yes, Wayne Leupold publishes great educational material. Current scholarship thinks these short preludes and fugues might have indeed been written by Krebs but there is no proof. So it's safe to say they were written by the Bach Circle.
You mentioned finger substitution being a challenge. It's just a matter of time spent and experience. Just continue to play easier pieces and little by little you can master more difficult ones as well. Fingers have muscle memory. And something more. They start to sense the best patterns after a while.
The first 20 years are difficult and then it's easy.”
Vidas: Stephen wrote back to me: “I just found a piece I had enjoyed and practiced several years ago...would like to share it with you ...I enjoy and care a lot for Marcel Dupre's work....This is one of the Seventy Nine Chorales Op. 28, he wrote for teaching purposes...I am guessing that you know them: XXVIII The Son of God is Come....very short and beautiful... And I wanted to share my a guiding principle in my organ study which I think is in agreement with yours: "It is only through playing a lot of easier pieces and being able to consolidate our progress at a manageable standard that we can go on to greater things" I want to play easier pieces well ..rather than difficult pieces badly! I find the ZIpoli can present some challenges… having the fingering at hand thanks to you...makes the task of learning it so much easier. Dupre marked all the fingering and pedaling in the Chorales. Happy Holidays: All of them!!!”
This question was sent by Nick, and he answers my question, “What is your dream in organ playing in the next 3-6 months, and what are some challenges along the way?” So he writes,
1. To be able to play a wide selection of easy to moderate standard organ pieces suitable for service use.
V: and challenges would be
2. Sight reading, sight reading and sight reading!
This question was sent by Maureen, and she writes,
I have been working on Christmas carols. There is a Catholic church 26 miles from my hometown needing an organist. I haven't played in public for a long time. Seeing this advert has given me renewed vigour to play with a definite purpose.
There is a huge part of me who would love to play again in public and there is the other part of me trying to be sensible, logical, and practical. I would need daily access to the organ and the energy to meet the challenge.
I don't drive; I haven't played in years; I don't know whether to let the priest know I can play a church organ with time to familiarise myself with it. What would you do?
This question was sent by Gerrit, or, I don’t know how to pronounce it. If he’s Dutch, maybe “Herrit.” I would appreciate people maybe giving us feedback how to pronounce their names, right? Would be nice. So Gerrit writes:
I’ve watched and listened to your performance of Duetto, Op. 156 No. 6 of Joseph Rheinberger. Thank you for that. It sounds beautiful.
I have a question, maybe somewhat off topic, but I’ve noticed that playing from a tablet, the pages seem to turn by themselves. For example at 1:04. How did you do that? I am working with MobileSheets with the auto-scroll function, but your method is better.
Did you turn the pages by yourself or was it another person?
Hope that you can clarify this mystery for me.
This question was sent by Hubertus, and he writes:
“Hello Vidas and Ausra,
As for getting informed with your very-very good advice etc. I admire your setup, and do respond to your questions as a moral obligation.
As you probably remember from the last mail exchange, I’m 75, and do know for myself, the Very high difficulty of remembering my daily study already the next day.
13 years ago I started from scratch in music and organ play.
I generally get only 1 to maybe max. Sometimes 2 hrs time to practice a day, some days even less, for all kinds of reasons, concentration is a hot issue in this all.
So, on the moment I’m studied in this past holiday season the BWV 721, and after 2 months now I’m able to play the piece as tempi gives, and still make usual remembrance mistakes, and in between I TRY to replay several pieces I studied recently before, with lots of difficulties in reading.
Again, I still like to play and do, especially this Bach piece.
So to answer your nr 1;
My dream WAS, 12 years ago, to play beautiful easy pieces of baroque music etc., Nevertheless, to my feelings and due to my former remarks, this goal is not really to achieve anymore, most probably due to organ play starting age around 62, and present bad possibility to remember the study even of the day before properly, and maybe I have to study twice as much, but I cannot bring that up, sorry.
Answer Nr 2,
as mentioned = 1 – Concentration special in reading, 2 - Maybe not enough daily practice time, with coming wintertime I expect/hope to find more time, 3 – Impatience in having results.
Very much Thanks again for your lessons in practicing setup.
Hope this helps in your request.
All Best regards to both of you,
Hubertus”
This episode is very special, because this year we celebrate 10 years of “Secrets of Organ Playing” activities.
This question was sent by Chad, and he writes,
Hi Vidas,
A few years ago, I bought a roll-up piano hoping that it would provide a means for me to practice on my airline trips. I desperately wanted to like it. But I HATED it! There was no tactile feel… No way to tell one key from the other. And the contacts didn’t work very well, so it was difficult to play the notes without tapping them pretty hard.
But maybe there has been progress in their construction? Which one did you buy? You must be somewhat pleased with it if you can get it to work well enough to make videos!
This question was sent by Mike, and he writes:
“I would like to master a variety of organ music to be able to give a performance.
The most important hurdles to overcome are:
Many of your podcasts and notes are extremely helpful. Thank you for providing them.”
We have to take this saying with a grain of salt, because a lot of people today play at home with some kind of electronic instruments or virtual instruments, and in virtual instruments, the sound might be quite realistic, but the touch might be plastic. And it’s quite different from tracker touch in a real pipe organ situation. People might not necessarily discover on their own when they play their home organs.
This question was sent by Bob, and he writes:
“I have read in several places that using the thumb on the black notes is kind of frowned upon. The "Organ Playing Master Course" routinely calls for the thumb on a black note, can you please clarify when it is or is not proper fingering.”
This question was sent by Justin, and he writes,
Hello,
I am currently subscribed to the Pedal Virtuoso Course. My materials for the week usually arrive on Wednesdays around 11:30 am local time, but for some reason, I didn't receive my materials for Week 5 (not in either my inbox or my spam folder). Could you arrange to have it sent?
I've been enjoying the course. I'm an advanced organist, but in all my years of studying and playing, none of my teachers has ever taught pedal scales or arpeggios. So I'm grateful that this material is filling in that gap!
Thanks, and all the best, Justin
This question was sent by Daniel, and he writes,
Hello Vidas,
My ultimate dream in regard to organ playing would be to gain the technical facility and coordination necessary to perform the masterworks of the Baroque repertoire (e.g., BWV 582, HWV 432, the entirety of BWV 1080).
Beyond that would be to gain the ability to improvise/think contrapuntally.
The three areas that are impeding these goals would be detailed as:
- Development & understanding of physical technique/coordination.I come from a piano/composition background, and have a well-developed hand technique, but encounter difficulty cultivating the coordination between limbs, while maintaining a balanced position. I have also studied the literature available regarding coordinate technique, such as the writings of Abby Whiteside and the work of Dorothy Taubman/Edna Golandsky, and have been trying to apply these principles to organ technique, which has been a process of gradual integration. There are other methods of body re-education such as Feldenkrais or Alexander Technique, which may indirectly facilitate techniques that may be worth studying as well.
- Audiation:I am also very interested in the concept of audiation, aural skills, or "mental hearing" and have studied the available literature as well (partimenti, thoroughbass, the pedagogy of Nadia Boulanger). The concept of understanding the music at a deeper level and eventually being able to "think contrapuntally" must certainly translate into greater musical capabilities. I am still experimenting with and researching different methods to cultivate this ability. Sight singing appears to be a great adjunct to this skill. There are those who can purportedly just read the sheet music and hear it in their head without the aid of an external instrument as well.
- Fingering principles/Sight Reading:Prior to beginning organ, I have achieved a level of proficiency on the piano, and the fingering principles do not intuitively apply to the organ repertoire. This in turn hinders my ability to sight read. I am new to the repertoire, but am still trying to discern basic principles for good fingering choices.
I can expound on any of the items listed, if further detail if needed.
Thank you again and best regards,
~Daniel
This question was sent by Bob, and he writes,
I was just wondering if articulate legato applies to all keyboards or just organs?
This question was sent by Irineo, and he writes:
“Hello there, dear maestro.
Thank you for your latest SOPP about Unda Maris. I really enjoyed it. But I have a question: who's the composer of that fantastic G-Major piece you played from 21:00 until 23:17? It sounds early baroque to me, but I can't really say whether it's Bach. And what an AWESOME Bombarde 16' does that organ feature! Where is it located? Sounds just as beautiful as that Jacek Siedlar instrument where Maestra Motuzaite also played a recital for which I congratulated her a while ago, if you recall. Keep rewarding us with those great treasures, maestro. Say hello to Maestra Motuzaite for me, will you?
Very truly yours,
Irineo.”
This question was sent by Vidas! By me! And, I've been struggling with mastering Part I of Trio Sonata No. 4 by J.S. Bach. For some reason it's harder to do than I imagined it would be.
This question was sent by Manfred, and he writes:
“Hello Vidas,
I was not a novice on the pedal, since I played the church organ for a couple of years. When I started to look into nicer and more demanding pieces for organ, I felt I need a better technique at least for playing scales. Fortunately I found your Course in the internet, signed up and practiced the lessons every day over 12 weeks.
It is amazing: My feet find the right keys without looking. Now I can play with both feet to both edges of the pedals, even with my heels. How did I play before?
I tried to play an new piece. It is amazing how easy my feet play the notes almost automatically.
Thank you very much!
Manfred.”
Manfred is talking about my Pedal Virtuoso Master Course:
https://secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/pedal-virtuoso-master-course?_pos=1&_sid=b1b20c5b1&_ss=r
This question was sent by Louis, and he writes:
“Hello friends: I have read all about your Pedal Virtuoso Master Course.
I would like to answer one important question for me.
I have seen that there are many scales and arpeggios.
I think that this is very good but I need to practice how to find any pedal without looking at the pedalboard. Have you got any special technique for this? Teachers in Spain use to say the same as some of your teachers: there isn't any technique, you only have to repeat many times while looking at the pedalboard and your brain will memorize the movements.
I think that is the problem. I want to find any pedal, any interval... without looking at the pedalboard and with a technique.
Please, tell me if you explain this in your course.
Thank you very much.
I hope to find what I need in your courses.
Regards,
Luis”
This question was sent by me, Vidas! I posted my answer in the Total Organist Community Basecamp channel, where I’ve been asked the question, “What have you been struggling with the most in organ playing this week. So, I wrote:
“Last week I was struggling to record Trio Sonata No. 1 in Eb Major, BWV 525 by J.S. Bach. Somehow I find it easier to play live recitals than to record pieces one by one.”
This question was written by Diana, and she writes,
"This week I was struggling to record videos. When I play, sometimes I hit the wrong key or pedal... also I had some difficulties recording the introduction of my performance in Unda Maris concert."
This question was sent by James, and he writes that he is struggling with:
“Sitting down and learning a new repertoire. With all the performances and recitals I’ve been doing, it’s hard to set aside time to learn new things.”
This question was sent by Jeremy. He’s our member of Total Organist Community, and helps us with fingering and pedaling scores. And he writes,
Today I did a variety of different things on the organ. The past couple of weeks I have been working through the New Oxford Organ Method just to see what it did (I really am enjoying it). It acts kind of like an organ teacher for those who have basic piano skills. It walks you through how to break the piece down into technical and musical bits. So I recorded the last piece in the "ordinary touch" section of the book today--Rising Passacaglia by Frederick Stocken, and practiced the next piece in the book (which is evading my memory at the moment). I began week three of the Pedal Virtuoso course and was inspired by Vidas to start the first Trio of J.S. Bach (learned four measures of the notes). Then I started working on Walther’s Komm Der Heilige Geist and made sure Buxtehude's Lobt Gott ihr Christen Allzugleich was still in my fingers. Practiced BWV 536 (which is Prelude and Fugue in A Major) for Sunday's service and worked on Hindemith second sonata, first movement. Here's the Stocken:
https://youtu.be/eJYeQ-BJh_k
This question was sent by Jay, and he writes:
“Vidas:
I think I’ve seen that you use ForScore on an iPad for reading music. I was wondering what size iPad do you use? Have you had experience with more than the one size you use regularly? I’d really like to do that but I’m not sure which size would work best for me. I think the iPad 12.9” is likely optimal but so expensive. Perhaps the 11” model would be adequate, being a bit less expensive.
Any thoughts you would care to share here or on your podcasts would be helpful.
Thank you!
Jay”
This question was sent by Eduardo, and he writes,
Greetings,
Recently I found about historical improvisation and I stumbled upon your dissertation "Improvisation of keyboard preludes in the style of JS Bach: A practical method comprising techniques derived from selected keyboard works" And it looks exactly what i'm looking for at the moment, but I can't find a complete version of it, I just found the index. Is there a way I can get the complete one?
Also , In your webpage you mention a Keyboard Prelude Improvisation Mini Course but the link is dead. Can I still join the Course?
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Eduardo Villalobos
This question was sent by John, and he writes,
Dear Vidas, wow this is so beautiful! I hear from respected organists that these trio sonatas are some of the most difficult music to play, and you executed it perfectly! Thank you for such an enjoyable experience, and also for setting such a great example for me, your student!
Take care, John
This question was sent by Joe, and he writes:
“Vidas,
Hope all is well with you. I am making much headway on Widor's Toccata, even though I have had limited time to practice.
The score that I purchased from you certainly has helped expedite the learning process - MUCH THANKS!
Since the score did not include registration suggestions, I was curious if you know of scores that do include registration.
My organ has the following Stops:”
Pedal Organ
Diapason 16'
Bourdon 16'
Quintaten (Sw) 16'
Octave 8'
Gedackt 8'
Choralbass 4'
Mixture iii
Posaune 16'
Trompette (SW) 8'
Swell Organ
Quintaten 16'
Gedackt 8'
Violas II 8'
Spitzprinzipal 4'
Koppelflote 4'
Nasat 2-2/3'
Blockflote 2'
Terz 1-3/5'
Mixture III
Basson 16'
Trompette 8'
Clairon 4'
Great Organ
Quintaten (Sw) 16'
Principal 8'
Rohrflote 8'
Violas II (Sw) 8'
Octave 4'
Spitzflote 4'
super Octave 2'
Waldflote 2'
Mixture IV
Krummhorn 8'
Vidas: He has three divisions: Pedal, Swell, and Great, and each has around 10 stops, maybe more. He writes further:
“I also have a Floating Division that can be applied to Pedal, Swell, and Great. This includes over 100 stops but cannot be mixed (i.e. only one per Pedal, one for Swell, one for Great).
Please let me know if you have any suggestions for registration based on my Stops List. If you believe something is missing that is critical, I may have it in my Floating Division.
Your expertise would be greatly appreciated.
Much Thanks,
Joe Mark”
Vidas: Here’s what I wrote to him:
“Thanks Joe!
Unfortunately all Widor marks on the score is FFF, FF, F etc. As I haven't made a video of this piece I can't really demonstrate it for you right now. Since you have only 2 manual instrument, try to experiment with adding or omitting the reeds on both divisions one by one. FFF would be Tutti. FF would be without Clairon, F - without Basson, MF - without Trompette, PP - without Krummhorn. Manuals coupled. Pedals need to be reduced accordingly too.
Hope this helps for now (until I prepare a proper video course).
Vidas”
This question was sent by Ausra, and she writes,
"This week I’m struggling with sitting down on the organ bench. At first I didn’t have time and now I don’t have motivation to practice."
This question was sent by Manfred, and he writes:
Hi Vidas,
I was playing the organ in the church for services only. The requirements are low. Therefore I could train the Pedal in ‘wild’ and fairly uncontrolled way.
Because of Corona the congregation must not sing. The organist is asked to prepare a few pieces as a solo. So I started to look for organ pieces that are a little more demanding.
Then I was facing severe difficulties with easy or low-medium pieces for organ. Thanks to Youtube I watched the pedaling of good organ players. My style is way off!
This led me to you. You have a method, you want to teach it in an internet-based style – so, I gave it a try.
Man! The first week told me I was not using certain muscles in the ankle area, I had muscle sore. Now, I see a much higher flexibility in my ankles.
I was playing with a sort of tennis shoes. No way! Yesterday I started with organ shoes (dancing shoes actually). Now I can feel the pedal keys and can slide on them. Wonderful!
After this first week I do not detect better accuracy. But my feet want to adopt the new pedaling style when playing my organ pieces. This is sometimes confusing, but I am sure in 2-3 weeks the new techniques will make my feet more ‘relaxed’ as they become friends of the pedal.
I am eagerly looking forward to the next few weeks!
Best regards,
Manfred
This question was sent by Doug, and he answered my question, What is your goal in organ playing, and what are some challenges that he faces when he tries to reach this goal. So the goal is to become a church organist, and basically advanced in hymn playing. And the challenges are three:
This question was sent by Bob, and he’s taking our Melodic Dictation Course Level 1. He writes,
"Vidas,
I have a question about 4 kl. 280 in Melodic Dictation Week 9.
I thought that if there is a pickup measure in a song that the last measure of the song and the first measure should add up to one measure. But in this case there is a rest contained in the last measure, so the two measures do not add up to one measure. How do I decide whether I should add the rest or not? Or is it one of those times that it does not matter?
Thanks.
Bob"
This question was sent by Paje, and this is the answer to my question, “What is the goal in organ playing, and what are some challenges that get in the way of this goal. So:
“1. Dream to serve as an organist and lead the choir in my Church Organisation.
2. Lack of consistent mentorship, lack of accountability, lack of clarity on what to focus on first as a beginner.”
This question was sent by Nabil, and he writes,
1) My dream is to be a great concert Organist, and to be one of the most significant Organ performers in this century. Because I believe I have something new to bring.
Also to be the first Organist in a Cathedral (good organs usually are in big churches), to push the people in the church with me looking towards heaven in their prayers by making great music…
V: This was his dream. Number 2, it’s obviously the challenge, and it is
2) * Not having Organ or even Classical Music atmosphere around me.
V: He lives in Israel. Also
* Planning to study Organ and Church Music in Europe (it's very hard and complicated plan)
* I need support in social media to get known
Love you and Ausra!!!
his question was sent by Katrine, and she writes,
Thanks for asking about this Vidas.
1. To be as fluent and reliable at organ playing as I am at the piano (professional accompanist/repetiteur by background)
2. Getting the set-up right for feet and being confident that I am practising in a way that will lead to accuracy - not sure if stool height is correct, shoes are perhaps too wide etc. Unclear on where feet should be able to reach (get pain in legs if I stretch too far and have hurt knee trying to insist with my right leg that it can reach the bottom notes!) and not sure how best to practise pedal scales (have seen varying advice on toe/heel use).
Many thanks!
Katrine
This question was sent by Rosemary, and she writes,:
“Happy New Year greetings to you all. This day dawned breathtakingly beautiful and we will all be glad of the shade in the garden as the heat rises. A new year ahead in which our prayers and hopes are with those frontline workers caring for victims of Covid 19, and discoveries for containment. May you all and your families stay safe. Your comments, goals and plans are incredibly inspirational for me, with renewed energy I have heaped my attention on BWV 529, and various choral preludes, BWV 604 a favourite. Studying your improvisation and trying out some variations. Thanks to you all and the very best of good wishes for a happy and productive year ahead sharing your wonderful talents.
Rosemary”
This question was sent by Pieter, and he writes,:
“Dear Vidas,
Thank you for sending me the extra exercise supplementary to the sight reading course. I appreciate that very much. Firstly let me apologise for my late response after finishing the course. It has been rather busy with various things.
You may recall that when I first approached you asking your advice my goal to improve my sightreading skills was very much focussed on obtaining the CRCO (Colleague of the Royal College of Organists) diploma. I had already achieved credits for the paperwork and repertoire but not the musicianship tests. I am pleased to tell you that I achieved the last part of the qualification in the summer session and I therefore now have my CRCO qualification! I was really delighted to achieve this as it was a real challenge for me but after a lot of work, my efforts paid off!
There can be no doubt that the sightreading course helped me particularly with issues of rhythm which I always found a weak point so I am grateful for that indeed. Although transposition was something I found slightly less challenging, this is also a sort of sightreading so I am sure the course helped me there too!
I think I am done with organ diplomas so I will concentrate on learning repertoire now and just enjoying playing the instrument that I love but I have to say that my all round musicianship skills have improved through the experience of preparing for a challenging qualification and that has to help my playing in the general sense.This question was sent by Pieter, and he writes,:
“Dear Vidas,
Thank you for sending me the extra exercise supplementary to the sight reading course. I appreciate that very much. Firstly let me apologise for my late response after finishing the course. It has been rather busy with various things.
You may recall that when I first approached you asking your advice my goal to improve my sightreading skills was very much focussed on obtaining the CRCO (Colleague of the Royal College of Organists) diploma. I had already achieved credits for the paperwork and repertoire but not the musicianship tests. I am pleased to tell you that I achieved the last part of the qualification in the summer session and I therefore now have my CRCO qualification! I was really delighted to achieve this as it was a real challenge for me but after a lot of work, my efforts paid off!
There can be no doubt that the sightreading course helped me particularly with issues of rhythm which I always found a weak point so I am grateful for that indeed. Although transposition was something I found slightly less challenging, this is also a sort of sightreading so I am sure the course helped me there too!
I think I am done with organ diplomas so I will concentrate on learning repertoire now and just enjoying playing the instrument that I love but I have to say that my all round musicianship skills have improved through the experience of preparing for a challenging qualification and that has to help my playing in the general sense.
This question was sent by Whitney, and she writes,
My challenge is with getting enough courage to play hymns with pedals. I can do it fine when practicing, but I get way too nervous when I’m playing at Mass.
This question was sent by Graham, and he comments on my recording of the practice session of his Idyll. So he writes,:
“Wonderful, Vidas! It was written in the summer of 2020 during the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic. I saw a competition advertised for a meditative piece for organ and this composition appeared nearly instantly! I do love Erik Satie's 'Gymnopedies' (I have heard you play No 2 on the organ!) and there is a strong French impressionist influence in this piece. It came together remarkably quickly from an initial improvisation to the finished composition as I was very near the deadline for submitting for the competition. As you know, I am not 'original' in my writing as I recognize everything I create is derivative - a fusion of everything I have ever heard or played. I love the music of Cole Porter and George Gershwin and Irving Berlin . . . so there is a trace of those songsters deep inside the piece as well. It sounds gorgeous on the Salisbury Willis - a sound I never expected to hear. THANK YOU!”
This question was sent by Steven, and he writes:
“Hi Vidas. Organ playing is going okay, thank you for asking. These days I am making more time for practice, which is key. I still feel like I am a slow learner, but I know how to pull apart a new piece and start making it work. Pedal work continues to improve, with the biggest aspect I'm noticing is my accuracy. The right foot position (like keeping toes touching the "black" pedals) seems to be super helpful. I have a teacher, and we have lessons every other week for one hour. I typically work up a couple hymns out of the ELW, sometimes an introduction or related piece with those hymns. Then I have several other pieces in various states of progress.”
This question was sent by Andrew, and he writes:
“I just wanted to say thank you for your "Mastering" series on YouTube.
I am a percussionist turned organist, and every time I'm struggling to learn a new piece, it really helps to watch your videos. Even though I'm not learning the same music as you, the same principles of practicing apply, and I learn so much better when I remind myself to take things in small parts in repetition.
You are doing a wonderful job of producing great content to help people like me.
Right now, I'm working on "In dulci jubilo" by JM Bach, "Nun danket" by Karg-Elert, and "I Love Thee, My Lord" by Shearing, as well as some other long term Franck pieces that will be taking me a while to finish learning.
The most challenging thing for me in playing organ is developing my kinesthetic sense between hands and feet, so I don't have to look away from the music and lose my place. I'm not a keyboard player by training, so I'm trying to take things slowly and learn from my mistakes as they happen, instead of just getting frustrated. Once the pandemic hit hard, I decided it was time to get an organ for my house so I could practice whenever it would be convenient for me. I also have a 2 year old son, so it's hard to get away from home for a long time to practice at church. I bought a nice custom package from Content Organs that I enjoy, but I also really like your creative setup and what you were able to put together from online stores.
Looking forward to seeing more videos from you soon!
Thanks!
Andrew Fuhrman
Austin, Texas, USA
PS I will support you on Patreon!”
This question was sent by John, and he writes,
Dear Ausra, thanks so much for this superb recital! Sorry I couldn't join it live, I've been very busy traveling and catching up with family, Covid restrictions are returning in Australia so I am cherishing every moment with family.
Well done on the Bach, it sounded great, your articulation was so clear! How do you decide on a tempo for these Prelude & Fugues, do we have any historical indications or is it more based on how it sounds in the acoustic you play in?
And please thank Vidas from me for his lovely contributions also! I am so lucky to know you both as friends and my teacher, you are so inspirational!
Happy New Year to you and your family! Please stay safe and well!
Take care, John
This question was sent by Diana, and she wants to know:
“Is there a reason for avoiding parallel 5ths?”
This question was sent by Sally, and she writes,
"Do you have a secret to playing melody in the left hand and harmonies in RH? I have a hard time with that. My brain doesn’t want to allow LH to take the melody, at least not for long."
This question was sent by Rosemary, and she writes,
Hello Vidas
Firstly can I thank you for the wonderfully informative emails you have sent during the last week, To date I have found them very helpful and thought provoking. A good beginning to the information I need to develop my study for the next 12 months.
In reply to your first question. My goal for this coming year is a 30 minute lunchtime recital on 8 October 2021.
My practice situation is a small instrument, one manual with a full pedal board and 5 stops in our local church (country town). The recital is on an instrument 8 times this size
in a provincial city 45 km away.
Aug 2019 I was included in the programme and played an all Bach programme (BWV 554, BWV 555, BWV 604, BWV 536 and BWV 570 ) I lacked confidence and found it a rather tough experience and have resolved to better the experience.
Important aspects to address. Developing a plan for the year's study. Developing the programme. (Bach again as his music is a passion of mine, or a European tour,
(Boellmann, Faure..Italian school, and Bach )
The learning of a piece, bringing it up to concert standard and maintaining the standard for the recital date.
Work on analysing the piece, Your email of Dec 1st has been a great catalyst. Maybe this is one of the secrets to understanding the piece and gaining confidence in performance.
Additionally, I have shortened the length of the fragments I learn at a time and have resolved to trial your suggestions.
The content of the material you've sent seems like a good foundation. I need all these tips and more. I have had no formal lessons on the instrument, gathering knowledge through reading, listening and suggestions from colleagues in recent years. More information on ornaments, (BWV 555 do you include the marked trill on the resolution of the prelude.) The French Noels how do you fit in the mordants and how are they played,
Currently I am learning Priere a Notre-Dame L Boellmann your copy with fingering and pedaling,
Sicilienne OP.78 G Faure
Sonata 5 BWV 529 Bach third movement
I am particularly interested in your copy of Ich ruf' zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 639 where you have written out the interpretation of the ornaments and how they fit in.More on this please.
Time I stopped, I have gained regular access to the organ for the recital determined to be more familiar with the instrument, I have considerable support and assistance from the regular organists especially with choice of registration. A big learning curve.
Hopefully this finds you and yours well, a strange year with so many new challenges. Every good wish for this festive Christmas season.
kind regards
Rosemary
This question was sent by Andrei, and he writes:
“Hi Vidas and Ausra!
I have a question for you:
If in a church there is a need for an organist, and the only two keyboardists are a professional concert pianist and a mediocre/intermediate organist, who do you think would be better to play on the organ?”
This question was sent by Stephen, and he writes:
“At 72 years of age my goal is to play some of Bach's organ music with musicality and appropriate style...i.e. registration ...trills ..phrasing. I have explored the "Little preludes and Fugues" using Soderlund's book on authentic technique for that period. To be able to continue to practice. (I own an Viscount Digital Organ with appropriate AGO standards. I also studied formally with an organist for 2 years)
To be able to improve my pedal technique. I have used your Pedal Mastery Course to help in that regard. I purchased it when you first offered it to us. I would like to know other sources of exercises that might help in improving.
To be able to memorize even at my age....I find that practicing the organ and piano HELP keep my mind sharp ...Excellent therapy...
Stephen”
This question was sent by Scott, and he writes,
Hi Vidas. I'm new to organ playing and came across your site. Do you have a course that goes in order from kind of the beginning? I'm an intermediate piano player who doesn't read well yet. I also don't have pedals nor multiple manuals right now. Just using a midi controller with organ presets. Can a membership on your site help me where I'm at now with organ?
This question was sent by André, and he writes,
Hello dear Vidas, I received the statement from Patreon about your support. I am extremely honored and grateful for your help, which means a lot to me. First, because I’ve been following your channel for many years, long before you started using Hauptwerk. In fact, many years ago you recorded a video about possible works to study with only a manual, which was a starting point for me in the organ. And finally, I printed the paper pedal board that you made available on your website! Anyway, receiving your support means a lot because you have always been a person who inspired me! Here in Brazil things are scarce in relation to the practice of the organ, but I was never discouraged, I was always positive. And now with Hauptwerk, and with my future equipment, I will be able to study this instrument that I love so much more!
Thank you very much, affectionately,
André Barbosa
This question was sent by Mario, and he writes:
“Hello Vidas, my name is Mario I am a 25 year old musician from Panamá.
My dream is to become Panamá's first organist, we have two pipe organs in the country and lucky for me I have access to both.
One is Spanish pipe organ with 2 manuals and 30 note straight pedalboard and 51 keys on each manual.
Second is a Renaissance pipe organ built in 2019 by a Polish organ company, it has 3 manuals with 51 keys also and a 27 note pedalboard.
I am very interested in developing my sight reading abilities to a high level, where I could Just grab any composition and play it at tempo, and I mean piano or organ composition. I am wondering if your sight reading course would be good for me.
I am comfortable sight reading hymns, but I don't have knowledge on pipe organ repertoire, only Bach.
I practice on a digital Piano a Yamaha p155. I bought an AGO pedalboard and it should arrive in 2 weeks.
Let me know if you can help me become a master at sight reading.”
This question was sent by Diana, who transcribes fingering and pedaling from our videos, and she writes that:
“Sometimes I read a treble clef like a bass clef...”
This question was sent by Keith, and he writes in response to my letter asking what are his goals and challenges in organ playing. He writes,
Vidas,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of organ playing.
My dream for organ playing is to facilitate the expression of worship in music, with the language of harmony.
What things are holding me back from my dream?
1. My ignorance/lack of skill.
- In February I dusted off my marginal four years of grade school piano lessons, after 34 years.
2. Realizing what good technique is - what such technique should feel like when I practice and play.
3. Practice method/discipline - What is a minimum of major/minor scales, vs Hanon finger exercises, vs practicing a piece.
- I practice about an hour a day, some days twice that. Wish I could practice more.
The mini-course emails have been very helpful to me. I let them queue up behind each other, until I have a chance to fully consider each one.
Regards,
Keith
This question was sent by James, and he writes,
Thanks Vidas for acknowledging my donation. With lockdown and retirement I have a bit more time to work at learning the organ. I am now 73 so things are a bit slower for me.
I have an old analog Viscount organ but I have found that my new iPad can produce even better and authentic sound. Favourite at the moment is Pipe Organ and St Just. So I have brought out my old Casio keyboard which has a MIDI possibility and bought the necessary connectors and connected it to my old stereo system, it really can sound amazing and have to keep the volume down. Love the “pedal notes”.
Over the winter I shall follow your example and buy new keyboards, I think it will be better than only one.
Music wise I continue to work away at hymns and have started flowkey. I bought your Prière à Notre-Dame as it is just about my level though hard work with all the accidentals. So I would appreciate you doing more of the simpler stuff, I am not quite ready for the toccata. The likes of simpler advent music and Rhoysymedre like what you are beginning to play with fingering would be really useful. It helps build confidence and speeds the process up if an expert such as yourself does the ground work.
So thank you for all you do, all you online organists are amazing at this time and offer so much to those of us who feel safer not going to church, a real godsend indeed.
So you keep safe and bless you,
Jim (James)
This question was sent by Abe, and he writes,
I had a stroke which hit my left hand very hard. It is slow and lazy. Any suggestions?
This question was sent by Brigitte, and she writes:
“Thanks Vidas for the complete pedaling and instructions. It has created a great opportunity for me to focus on the pedal technique for early music beyond toes only.”
This question was sent by Luis Garcia, and he writes,
Dear friends: I live in Spain and here there are few organ teachers. Pedal Technique is a mystery here. I need to learn how to play pedals without looking at the pedalboard and with a mind strategy. Some teachers recommend to slide the foot counting the intervals. I think that it may well be in some times but not all the time. Others recommend memorizing the gaps in the pedalboard. And the worst teachers don't recommend anything. Even it is very difficult to see organists with organ shoes. Spain is a bad country to learn how to play the pipe organ.
Remember that I am interested in a romantic technique. I know that you like Baroque music.
Please, try to help me. Thank you.
Luis García
This question was sent by Robert, and he writes,
Dear Vidas,
I completed your Pedal Virtuoso Master Course in late August and upon your request, below you will find my feedback.
Without a doubt, I am very happy to have taken your course! I discovered it online at the beginning of June after searching for ways to improve my pedal technique which was holding my organ playing back. My goals consisted of learning how to sit comfortably on the organ bench so that I could play the pedals and maintain my balance, discover for myself how to develop more flexibility in my ankles, and learn how to use my feet more efficiently in order to play more advanced passages as well as reduce strains put on my foot muscles and joints (i.e., prevent future injuries).
After spending twelve weeks working on the given assignment for the day, to my surprise, each goal saw improvement and not just a slight improvement! Although I often needed more than fifteen minutes to work on a given assignment, my feet now know where to go and my hips and body now support my balance and the ability to play a passage legato while avoiding foot strain. One thing I did that helped solidify what I had learned in previous weeks, was to review previous assignments in addition to the daily assignment. Currently I am reviewing the course by playing every scale and arpeggio from a given tonality three times a day for one week (this is my fourth week, so I am reviewing scales and arpeggios in E minor which is Day 1, No. 4 from each of the twelve weeks).
This question was sent by William, and he writes,
Vidas,
Thank you for putting together this course. My sight reading of notes and rhythms both improved significantly from 9 months ago. It also improved my sight reading of dense passages of music. The areas that gave me a little trouble (that I need to continue working on) are the counting of 32nd notes and irregular rhythms (triplets against 2 eighth notes / 4 sixteenth notes / dotted eighth note and a sixteenth note). Regards, Bill
This question was sent by Brigitte, and she writes:
“Hi Vidas and Ausra,
The more complicated rhythms are my favorites for sight-reading. Also I have been listening to recordings from Art of the fugue and did some research as I was wondering about the meaning of the different parts.
There must be so much more that can be learned from the Art of the fugue.
The variations of the Genevan Psalms are of interest to me too. Can I find them somewhere together to come back to them?
Enjoy following you and learning from you.
Regards,
Brigitte”
Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast #60!
https://www.organduo.lt
Today's guest is Sławomir Zubrzycki – outstanding Polish pianist, soloist and chamber musician specializing in performing contemporary music, composer, and constructor of musical instruments. He's a graduate of the Academy of Music in Cracow (1988, piano – prof. T. Żmudziński’s class, modern music – prof. A. Kaczyński’s class) and The Boston Conservatory of Music (1990-91). Fulbright Scholar. Prize winner at the prestigious Polish Piano Art Festival in Słupsk (1987). Sławomir Zubrzycki has been giving concerts in USA, Germany, Austria, Spain, Great Britain and Ukraine. He has made several recordings for Polskie Nagrania (Polish recording company), Polish Radio and Television. He was a lecturer at Summer Academy of Contemporary Music – Avantgarde Tirol in Austria (2005, 2007).
In 2009, Zubrzycki came across the traces of a real rarity – Viola Organista – the instrument designed by Leonardo da Vinci, but which had almost been unknown and forgotten. Fascinated by the facts from the past, in the years 2009-2012 Zubrzycki created his own version of Leonardo da Vinci’s design. The premiere recitals of viola organista (October 2013) were a spectacular artistic success that attracted record attendances, gained attention of the international media and over two million viewers on YouTube.
His European tours in 2014-2015 included recitals at Stockholm Early Music Festival, Wratislavia Cantans, Ghent Festival of Flanders, Kotor Art Festival, Polish Music Days in Turkey, Ohrid Summer Festival, Milano Classica. In 2015 the first solo album, "Viola organista - The da Vinci sound", was released thanks to support of music lovers from all over the world (from Kickstarter campaign). In 2015, Zubrzycki was also invited by Icelandic singer Björk to record together an acoustic version of her album "Vulnicura".
In this conversation, Sławomir shares his insights about how he constructed viola organista and how he learned to play it. It's completely different and unexplored area of music and I hope a lot of organists from all over the world will find much inspiration from it.
Enjoy and share your comments below.
And don't forget to help spread the word about the SOP Podcast by sharing it with your organist friends.
Thanks for caring.
Related link:
http://www.violaorganista.com