SKU: UT.HS-334

ISBN 9790215328525. 9 x 12 inches.

Bertram Luard-Selby (1853-1918): First Sonata
Charles Harford Lloyd (1849-1919): Sonata in D minor

The first sonata of Bertram Luard-Selby and the sonata of Charles Harford Lloyd are examples of works that demonstrate the transitional nature of the maturing English organ sonata. The portfolio approach towards compositions under one title, a sonata, that included sometimes significantly contrasting movements was common during the second half of the nineteenth century. It allowed composers to demonstrate their own compositional skill as well as highlight the tonal capabilities of the developing symphonic organ in England. The sonatas are playable on both small and large instruments and allow for creativity in registration. The technical difficulty varies between movements. As discussed in The Genesis and Development of an English Organ Sonata (2017), the English sonatas had an important pedagogical role jointly inherited from Mendelssohn’s very practical and popular approach to the instrument and the continued European legacy of the lesson-sonata tradition whereby in learning a piece you also learned the instrument and vice versa.

SKU: BT.ARMEOIO323

Italian.

SKU: MN.12-121

UPC: 688670121210.

Confluence was commissioned by the Organ Artist Series of Pittsburgh in celebration of its twentieth anniversary in 1999. Christa Rakich gave the premier at the closing concert of the season at Calvary Episcopal Church by in April of 1999. It has been performed frequently since that time. The title was given to honor the joining together or confluence of the three rivers of Pittsburgh: the Allegheny, the Monongalela, and the Ohio. Confluence is a curious hybrid related to both the sonata and rondo forms. It is of the ABABA design with the final A quite extended by polyphonic games and a very noisy and triumphant epilogue. The first idea is driving, rhythmic, nervous and agitated. The second is quiet, gentle and pastoral, that slowly moves in its mysterious ways, closing with a plaintive row of a dozen different pitches. The composer delights in the challenge of making tone rows as approachable and sing-able as possible. Both ideas make slightly varied restatements. At the end, fugal exploitation of the first idea is followed by that row, entering with stentorian grandeur in full pedal, heralding the triumphant close. This row, like the month of March is referred to frequently as coming in like a Iamb, going out like a lion.

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: CA.5012700

ISBN 9790007240998. Key: F minor. Language: all languages.

The three-movement Organ Sonata no. 7 in F minor op. 127 dates from 1881. A Praeludium with five striking themes is followed by an Andante, which Rheinberger himself arranged a few years later as a Rhapsody for violin or oboe and organ. The Finale contains a fugue with two themes. Separate edition from the Rheinberger Complete Edition.