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Views from the Choir Loft

Organ Processionals & Postludes: Suggestions Needed

Jeff Ostrowski · January 6, 2015

HEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, I fell in love with the organ works of Bach: the majestic A minor (BWV 543), the glorious St. Anne (BWV 552), the sumptuous Art of the Fugue, the mighty Passacaglia in C minor (BWV 582), the resplendent “Fiddle” Fugue (BWV 539), and so forth. After years of directing music at Mass, I have come to understand that not every great organ piece is appropriate for a Processional or Postlude. Choosing a suitable piece depends on many factors: the skill of the organist, the particular strengths & weaknesses of the organ, the length of the procession, and so forth. People who lack a sensibility for the Roman Rite often choose pieces which—although they are certainly magnificent—are not suitable. To do this is to dishonor the work in question.

Can you please send me some of your favorite Processionals & Postludes? I need specific titles. REMEMBER: they have to be short. That’s why so many of the Bach Preludes & Fugues—as great as they are—do not work, because they’re much too long. Use the CONTACT US tab at the top.

Apologies in advance: You’ll immediately receive an auto-response—sent by a robot—reminding you that we cannot always reply to each and every email we receive.

Below I give examples which, in my humble opinion, work very well. As a processional, a brief excerpt from Bach’s G Major Fantasie (BWV 572). As a Postlude, the famous C Major (BWV 553). I feel that Bach’s Dorian Prelude (audio sample) might work as Processional or Postlude: do you agree?

485 Dorian sample 487 Bach Processional 488 Bach C Major Prelude
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    [Quiz] • “Do You Know Your Hymns?”
    In case you missed it, many readers have enjoyed taking this little Quiz On Hymns. In the context of that article, I included a sensational quote about the Holy Mass by Monsignor Ronald Knox. Moreover, I talk about how Abraham Lincoln's mother died, as well as a fabulous Eucharistic hymn by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • Simple “Agnus Dei” Canon
    Time flies! Back in July, I posted a PDF setting of a perfect canon by William Byrd (d. 1623) arranged as an AGNUS DEI for three voices. Last Sunday, we sang that arrangement with our volunteer choir. To hear a ‘live’ recording of it, click here (Mp3). In my humble opinion, this would be a perfect piece for a choir just beginning to experiment with polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

In the United States, Archbishop Kenrick had said in his “Moral Theology” that it was acceptable to sing the “Véni Sáncte Spíritus” before the sermon.

— Monsignor Schmitt (1977)

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