Category Archives: Organ

Requiem pour une américane à Paris for Organ and Trumpet

Richard J. Clark

Previewing a remarkable composition for organ and trumpet by Boston-based composer Richard J. Clark.  Seven movements based on the Gregorian chant propers for the requiem mass, performed by the composer on the organ and Richard A. Kelley, trumpet.  Learn more about the composer at http://www.rjcceciliamusic.com/

I’m not a big fan of modern organ compositions, many of which sound like something is dreadfully wrong with the instrument or that the performer is having a medical emergency.  This is different – just the right combination of tonality and dissonance.  The mix of organ and trumpet is well balanced.  In short, Clark nails it.

Thoughtful, enjoyable, and most excellently performed.  Definitely going into the rotation for The Classical Fan Club (every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on WFCF Flagler College Radio, an iHeart radio station).

Rocking Out with Organ Voluntaries

small english organ There are absolutely no pieces that are more entertaining to play than 18th century English organ voluntaries.  And I treated myself to two volumes of these.  Great slow full diapason introductions, followed by fugues or trumpet tunes with winsome echos.  Most of them are  by lesser composers who were leading organists in their day.  Boatloads of fun for the fingers.  And many are quite useful for entrances and for that time with the wedding guests straggle out of the church.