SKU: CA.5600300

ISBN 9790007188047.

The organ is the instrument on which the young Giacomo Puccini began his career as a musician. Through the rediscovery of a considerable number of hand-written pieces, which he composed after 1870 as part of his duties as organist in the churches of Lucca, several primary sources are now available. These give an insight into the beginnings of his musical activities which have only been known about from anecdotes from his first biographers until now. Puccini's organ repertoire includes works which were typical for liturgical organ music at that time: sonatas for the main sections of the mass, versets which were substituted for Gregorian chant, marches, which were played after the mass (exceptionally even waltzes), and even a pastorale for Christmas time. This music was written with the sound of instruments made in Tuscany in mind. These have just one manual, a 8 foot Principale register and a small pedalboard always coupled to the manual. In addition there were several solo stops divided into bass and soprano.Puccini contributed with originality to the renewal of Italian organ practice, which began in his day to discard its operatic style in favor of a style more suited to the liturgy.

SKU: HL.48180249

UPC: 888680794811. 9x12 inches.

French organist and composer, Marcel Dupré (1886-1971) is also remembered as a significant pedagogue. However, his prominence within the organ repertoire remains absolute with sublime works, including his Passion Symphony. Dupré studied at the Paris Conservatoire with Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor, where he won prizes for piano, organ and fugue, as well as the Grand Prix de Rome. He was a famous organ virtuoso and was able to perform the entire works composed for the instrument by J. S. Bach from memory. Dupré's Op. 23, the Passion Symphony for Organ is made up of four movements depicting the life of Christ; 1) The World awaiting the Saviour, 2) Nativity, 3) Crucifixion, and 4) Resurrection. All of the movements display a high degree of virtuosic technique and musical integrity. Dupré's compositions and didactic works remain important to organists today and his Passion Symphony is no exception.