Charles Tournemire: An Organist’s Best Friend
Tournemire’s L’Orgue Mystique is an indispensable resource—especially for organists who are feeling “stuck” in their improvisation.
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Improvisation
The Anatomy of an Organ Improvisation
Here are some audio samples from recent Masses, along with explanations of what I was thinking for each improvisation.
Three Ways to Improvise at the Organ
Don’t just play the organ. Pray the organ.
Four Reasons to Improvise at the Organ
If an ex-clarinetist can do it, you can do it—and the benefits far outweigh the effort involved.
Inspiration for Organ Improvisation
Organ improvisation is on the mind of many organists these days as they cope in the absence of choirs and other musicians.
Lux Fulgebit: Mass at Dawn of Christmas Day
New recording by the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary’s Church in Norwalk, CT
Colloquium Update III
“Minding the Gap” — Organ Improvisation
The Pipe Organ and Propers Flourish with Vexo and Weismann
While the pipe organ languishes in some places, it flourishes in others. There are three reasons why.
Improvising – and Praying – on the Propers
A close friend, a priest once told me years ago something I’ve never forgotten. “The people don’t need to know what it is to understand it.” They will understand the prayer interiorly if not in words. Since hearing that, I have always thought it important to play and pray music related to a relevant text.