Organ Symphonies (solo, without orchestra)

[giwro]

Having kicked off the organ thread back a couple of BBS upgrades ago, I thought it fit to have a shot at the first post here!

<chuckle>

I'm pleased to see a separate category for Organ - many organists are also fine pianists, and so it seems fit to
discuss on PP.

As I am doing research on the SOLO organ Symphony(ie) to write a book, I have been quite obsessed with the genre.
I have many scores and recordings, and am always looking for more. Feel free to post information, scores, new
recordings etc. in this thread

[Op. XXXIX]

Nice to see you back, giwro, and nice to be a part of the new board.

Op. XXXIX, former argerichfan.

[giwro]

Greetings, all...

So - last year I posted a movement of HullandHellandHalifax's Symphony, I've finally gotten around to movement 2:
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym2.mp3

If you missed the first movement, you can hear it also (although it really wants re-recording)
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym1-1.mp3

Enjoy,

[rob]

Hi giwro!

I've been borrowing quite a bit from the Barbican & Westminster libraries in London recently and scanning stuff mostly for my own use, but sometimes for P-P and friends. Do have a look through their online catalogues for any organ symphony rarities and if there's anything you want let me know. It's time I returned the favour from a couple of your scans last year!

Meanwhile I am looking forward to listening to Brian's opus under your hands later!

Best..., Rob

[giwro]

Thanks Rob...

It seems these libraries don't tend toward the outre stuff I look for <chuckle>

I do appreciate the offer, though.... it is little surprise that some of this music is hard to find - the genre is at best an obscure obscurity!

BR,

- G

[giwro]

In a sudden rush of inspiration, I finished the recordings for the remaining movements today:
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym3.mp3
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym4.mp3
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym5.mp3

This is very cool music - my best description is Indian raga marries French Romantic organ
composer....

I very much enjoyed getting to know this music, and have asked Brian for the privilege to publish
this work. Have a listen and give Brian props - this work is quite an achievement!

Enjoy,

- G

Greetings, all...

So - last year I posted a movement of HullandHellandHalifax's Symphony, I've finally gotten around to movement 2:
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym2.mp3

If you missed the first movement, you can hear it also (although it really wants re-recording)
http://www.evensongmusic.net/audio/lamb/LambSym1-1.mp3

Enjoy,

[HullandHellandHalifax]

I don't quite know how I should respond to this post, on the one hand the composer in me is quite elated at hearing his music so well realised by our good friend giwro and can't thank him enough for this quite exceptional piece of work. The sound is superb.
The me in me is like a kid in a toyshop with permission to stay there all day, I sit here listening to MY symphony and keep on telling myself that I wrote it and that I can even bear listening to it, I am not by nature a person with a Wagnerian conception of themselves, Lisztian possibly, so I don't want to post here either a plug for my Symphony or wait for a bucketload of praise from everyone.
I am over the moon that giwro wants to publish the Symphony, that is a great honour which I can't thank him enough for,and which is for me far more satisfying than one of the really big boys who have decided that it might fit in with their plans this side of 2050.
His assessment by the way that India has collided with France is bang on the button, France has always had a link with the Orient and it therefore felt quite appropriate to connect the two yet again.
thanks giwro, you are fantastic.
best wishes
Brian

[Oberon Smith]

If I may, make an interjection here. I still remember my title from the old Pianophilia group, as being the most "Useless Member", but I hope to provide an insight. I will caution members here, to not only download and listen to this, but, to burn a copy to a CD... and play it on the best possible speaker system they can find. Mr. Giwro has given a extremely lyrical and subtle performance, especially in many of the linear tonal layerings, that you just don't hear on small speakers. Mr. Giwro, I applaud your tonal insight into the Moorish themes and great beauty in the small stuff. Your playing evokes beauty at every turn, which may or maynot have be seen by the composer, at the time of writing.... ROTFL Your performance is gifted and insightful, a great compliment to this and other composers you choose to perform. Personally, as with this performance, I would like to hear you play Franck, his music needs your talents, instead of the "hacks" that chop through his music. Hmmmm, I think I just defined artistry, which you and Brian now share. Blessings Oberon

PS... I wish you both could hear this recording on my stereo system. Bravo.

[ahinton]

www.sorabji-organ.org
www.sorabji-archive.co.uk
for some details of Sorabji's three symphonies for organ solo and Kevin Bowyer's immensely ambitious project to edit and perform all of them...

Best,

Alistair

[HullandHellandHalifax]

http://www.sorabji-organ.org
http://www.sorabji-archive.co.uk
for some details of Sorabji's three symphonies for organ solo and Kevin Bowyer's immensely ambitious project to edit and perform all of them...

Best,

Alistair

Alistair, for us lesser mortals who would be very interested in the music to follow as Kevin wrestles with the organ have you considered issuing the symphonies in a study score format for that purpose, I am sure many of us organists would be fascinated to see the score but would not want to or have the space for the full thing. It would then of course also be more affordable so we could enjoy the performance without that feeling of why did I buy this score I will never play it.
best wishes
Brian