Originally posted by royalchickenyes he did!
As a matter of fact, Beethoven did have a professional teacher, by the name of Franz Josef Haydn, among others.
and he is reputed to have told mozart (i think) regarding beethoven something like:
"some day this boy is going to make a big noise"
in friendship,
prad
Originally posted by nemesioOccasionally I hear the program "Pipe Dreams" on the radio and enjoy it. I'm familiar with three of the pieces on your list. While not bombastic, I enjoy Bach's trio sonatas. There is just too much to choose from.
It's hard to say about the 5 greatest, because what constitutes great depends on genre. How can one compare Bach and Duruflé? It's apples and butterflies!
I can tell you what 5 of my favorite pieces are, though. I have more than 5 pieces contending for favorites at any given time, so these only represent the first 5 that came into my mind at this mom ...[text shortened]... or M. Praetorius. There is so much great organ literature, it would be hard to pick.
Nemesio
Originally posted by nemesioWhat, no Camille Saint-Saëns? What about his symphony no. 3, the "Organ" symphony?
It's hard to say about the 5 greatest, because what constitutes great depends on genre. How can one compare Bach and Duruflé? It's apples and butterflies!
I can tell you what 5 of my favorite pieces are, though. I have more than 5 pieces contending for favorites at any given time, so these only represent the first 5 that came into my mind at this mom ...[text shortened]... or M. Praetorius. There is so much great organ literature, it would be hard to pick.
Nemesio
Originally posted by royalchickenSigh.
What, pray tell, is your favorite organ?
To really get into this adequately would require a discussion that would make my previous posts look like one-liners.
A few organs I really like (all of them are my favorites for totally different reasons):
[in no particular order]
1) Gilbert Adams' complete revoicing of the Aeolian Skinner at 5th Avenue St Thomas in New York City, New York, USA;
2) Andreas Silbermann's organ at St Pierre in Stasbourg, France;
3) Father Henry Willis' organ (with some revoicing by Harrison and Harrison) in Durham Cathedral, England;
4) Gonzales' organ at Chartres Cathedral, France (although I don't tend to like Gonzales organs, this one is magnificent);
5) Harrison and Harrison's organ in Ely Cathedral, England;
6) E. M. Skinner's organ at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, Ohio, USA;
7) Aristide Cavaillé-Coll's organ at St Ouen, Rouen, France;
8) E. M. Skinner's organ (rebuilt meticulously by Schantz) in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio;
9) Lively-Fulcher's organ in St Patrick's Church, Washington, DC, USA;
10) W.W. Kimball's organ (enlarged by David W. Skinner, whom I don't know) in St Thomas the Apostle, Chicago.
This is a short list (!). The only list longer is the list of organs I don't like! 😉
Nemesio
Originally posted by kirksey957It is hard to exaggerate how difficult these simple sounding pieces are. And yes, they are wonderful; two of them would be on my list of favorites, bumping something else off.
While not bombastic, I enjoy Bach's trio sonatas.
Until tomorrow when I listen to something else...
Nemesio
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettWell, that's not a solo organ piece.
What, no Camille Saint-Saëns? What about his symphony no. 3, the "Organ" symphony?
It's a fun piece, but it's kinda trashy from an aesthetic standpoint. Sort of like Saint-Saëns' piano concertos.
Saint-Saëns' solo organ music is relatively ungratifying to listen to (I've played a few pieces), and even less gratifying to learn; there tend to be moments of excessive difficulty which don't have tremendously profound musical impact.
Just my opinion, of course.
Nemesio
Originally posted by nemesioOne rarely heard organ symphony is by Belgium composer Joseph Jongen- his Symphony Concertante.
Well, that's not a solo organ piece.
It's a fun piece, but it's kinda trashy from an aesthetic standpoint. Sort of like Saint-Saëns' piano concertos.
Saint-Saëns' solo organ music is relatively ungratifying to listen to (I've played a few pieces), and even less gratifying to learn; there tend to be moments of excessive difficulty which don't have tremendously profound musical impact.
Just my opinion, of course.
Nemesio
Originally posted by kirksey957I've played a movement of one of Jongen's organ pieces. That movement is pretty easy, but the rest of it is nearly unplayable! It's lovely stuff, for sure.
One rarely heard organ symphony is by Belgium composer Joseph Jongen- his Symphony Concertante.
The organ symphony isn't too rare amongst organ nerds, as you might imagine.
Nemesio
Originally posted by Saint NickYou are getting on a personal level. I listen to Pink Floyd ect. A lot of people enjoy Rice and King. You are saying that people that do not inprove society are worthless? I did not know that we are here to serve society. By your own words I guess you need to stop playing the piano and chess.
Hmmm.. I have no doubt that music enriches lives, makes people happier with their life, more productive, etc. But, I don't necessarily agree that this has to be confered by professional musicians. Why can't hobbyists teach each other to play an instrument? My mother taught me to play the piano. I'm not great, but I can play well enough to enjoy it and ...[text shortened]... huh?).
So, here's a question for you: Is a professional athelete a 'real' job?
Hi Gambit3,
Saint Nick conceded that artists have value to society on a variety of levels. He also said that he wouldn't judge people as less important if they did such jobs. It's just not for him; that is, he wouldn't find such jobs fulfilling. He said that he was a little heavy-handed in his wording and he repented of it.
Don't be to hard on him. Do you wanna talk about pipe organs? Huh? Hmm? I can 🙂
Nemesio