r/organ

In this toccata, according to the score, the alternating chords are often split between swell and positif keyboards (R and P). He asks at the beginning for full swell, 16-4 reeds and mutations, and principals 16-4 on the positif. Initially the swell is coupled to the positif but later on he asks you to play the P uncoupled as the chords are split between keyboards. Why ? The boxes are closed and the P, being only foundations, is much much quieter than the full swell. I can’t figure out the musical reason. Is it something to do with the organ he was working with ?

So I've been learning the organ for a year or 2 and my teacher is pushing me to take the CAGO exam probably next fall or spring (whenever it's offered). I chose Bach prelude and fugue BWV 545 as my first rep option since I like the challenge compared to the other options. I understand the importance of articulated playing and especially in the feet and my teacher has been emphasizing the practice of toe-only playing to achieve that. However, after practicing for a while, I can't seem to find a comfortable way to play the mordents near the end of the prelude with only toes. It seems incredibly awkward and tense to do so and much simpler to use the right heel to assist instead. I'm going to see my teacher again on Friday for a lesson so I'll obviously just discuss it with her, but I thought I'd ask around in advance anyways to see if there's something I'm missing.

Hello,

My 85 year old mother  is looking for a home for her grandmother’s working, Estey, reed organ. She is downsizing from a large farmhouse to a small apartment and cannot take it with her. She has called various historical societies/museums in her area to see if they would like it, but she has had no luck. I have sent emails to music departments at several universities. Organ is located in Southern, NJ.

Very little is known about the organ, as my grandfather was a baby when his mother passed away, but my mother believes it was manufactured in the mid 1800s to late 1800s. The organ does work and my mother has had it refurbished twice. 
Might anyone have any suggestions for us? My mother's moving day is imminent and we are getting desperate!

I’m hosting a local piano studio (about 8 kids and their parents) for an “Introduction to the Organ” session at my church tomorrow. I have a two-manual tracker and lots of spare pipes to play with. I’m planning to explain the different types of sounds and how sound is made, and have them all play their spring recital pieces and go crazy with registration. What else would you do/talk about/show?

Gloriana is one of Benjamin Britten's least known works, but I've always had a certain fondness for it. I've been working on this arrangement of the Galliard from the Courtly Dances off and on for several years, and finally finished it. I recorded it on Sweelinq's St. Bavo Church, Haarlem sample set. The full score is available through the link in the YouTube description if you're interested! Please also consider supporting my YouTube channel The Practical Organist, which I'm trying to get off the ground. Many thanks!

Hi everyone! I'm 18, and a grade 8 pianist. I've booked my first organ lesson and it's coming up, but I'm so keen already

I've just finished learning Bach's little prelude (only not the fugue) in Gm on the organ, and I loved how beautiful it was.

Unfortunately I can't play with pedals yet (as I'm using a pipe organ plugin on my midi keyboard) but I'm comfortable enough with playing the Manuals, and ive learned a bit about al the stops on the organ plugin I'm using.

What are some good organ pieces that yous recommend I learn that don't rely on the pedal (solo passages)? Thanks and sorry if this is commonly asked!

​Hi everyone,

​I’m happy to share a composition of mine that goes all the way back to my high school years.

​It’s a pretty high-energy piece that constantly balances dark passages with much more joyful moments—kind of a reflection of those years, I guess!

​I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think or what it brings to mind for you.

I'm trying to learn about this organ. Can you help identify it, or tell me what to look for to help do so? There is one blank recess just below the music stand. I can't find any actual identifying marks so far, but I understand it was built in the mid 1800s.

Edit: Thank you, it is a Geo H. Ryder from the late 1800s.

https://preview.redd.it/zhlg0dapwl1h1.jpg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d58cd248e28754b0872c85690cb8c219f39577e7

Looking into the rear.

Came across a clip of how an organ sounds if you shut it off while playing and started going down a rabbit hole. Never really been around organs at any time in my life and I’m blown away!

Im a history nerd so looking for something around the story of organs but also around how they work and stuff. So much to explore!

Appreciate any recommendations!

Where can I find an organ to take home? Ive been running into a couple issues, namely price (electric or pipe organs i find are in the thousands or hundreds of thousands), and Im trying to find something with two rows and 32 pedals that can fit in my doorway. Please help! Located in TN

Hello! im in seatch for a kit that isnt physical. i mean like blueprints for a small positive. i cant find any but i saw that orgelkids had one but i dont it, because its too small only two octaves, anybody know any cheap ones that come as a PDF.

I'll be doing research myself but I wanted to solicit some ideas for virtuositic pieces, convincingly playable on 2 manuals, medium-small instruments (22-28 ranks). Let's say limited registration assists available.

In my mind, by virtuositic, I think of works of late-Romantic French and German schools (i.e., organ playing that's heavily influenced by pianism). I haven't looked closely into the scores but I also think of these piece being for large, 3+ manual instruments. Thank you in advance!!

Guys I literally looked everywhere, Shazam, I'm not even an organist (I wish I had started learning already) but I'm in love with this piece. Anyone know what it is, or where it's from? I heard it one time years ago at a local church I was attending for my at the time partner and still listen to it weekly. Link @ the proper timestamp (1:35:05).

I got a pair of Organ-master shoes. Would it be a bad idea to leave them in the car when it’s sunny/hot outside?

I don’t want then getting damaged

I am pleased to introduce one of the latest compositions by Jean-Baptiste Robin, organist of the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles and a highly talented improviser. He performs here Laniakea, a piece taken from his 3 Études vers l’infini.