Symphonies with organ

[Richard Barrett]

An eminent organist of my acquaintance wondered why orchestras engage an eminent organist for what is not a very difficult organ part.

I guess it might have something to do with attracting an audience for a famous name.

I don't recall ever hearing an orchestra and organ playing together (apart from a chamber organ in baroque music, but that isn't really an orchestra either). On recordings the combination often sounds artificial to me. Any comments?

[teamsaint]

I guess it might have something to do with attracting an audience for a famous name.

I don't recall ever hearing an orchestra and organ playing together (apart from a chamber organ in baroque music, but that isn't really an orchestra either). On recordings the combination often sounds artificial to me. Any comments?

I suppose that because it is a relatively unusual combination, and the variables are perhaps even greater than usual ( make of organ, and location in which they are situated) the potential for less than excellent results is rather greater than usual. Organs aren't usually sited in places built specially for recording for instance.
So your " artificial" may be the result of unfamiliar contexts for the performers and musical directors?

If that makes no sense, put it down to the weather or the end of a working day.....

The Kabelac is certainly one i'm heading back to soon..... be great at the Proms.... even allowing for the acoustic.....

[Richard Barrett]

your " artificial" may be the result of unfamiliar contexts

Indeed. I think I was wondering more about how these things sound in live performance though.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

There are recordings in which the organ is recorded at a completely different time and venue from the orchestra's and added in the studio - that might account for some of the "artificiality".

Thinking of Live concerts of Also Sprach, the Ives 4th Symphony that I've heard - the organ has never sounded as "impressive" as on the records. My first "Alpine" Symphony will be this year; looking forward to that. (And the Handley recording of the Elgar #2 with the optional organ pedal in the Finale makes it sound far from "optional".)

[Pianoman]

My first "Alpine" Symphony will be this year; looking forward to that.

Mine too - would that be the Markovic at Huddersfield ?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Mine too - would that be the Markovic at Huddersfield ?

Nearly - same conductor & orchestra, but in Leeds.

[teamsaint]

There are recordings in which the organ is recorded at a completely different time and venue from the orchestra's and added in the studio - that might account for some of the "artificiality".

Thinking of Live concerts of Also Sprach, the Ives 4th Symphony that I've heard - the organ has never sounded as "impressive" as on the records. My first "Alpine" Symphony will be this year; looking forward to that. (And the Handley recording of the Elgar #2 with the optional organ pedal in the Finale makes it sound far from "optional".)

Can't go wrong with an Alpine.

Or at least thats what I thought , until I dragged Mrs TS along to one at the RFH, telling her it would be very dramatic, 'n all.

It turned out to be the legendary performance that Maazel managed to get to over the hour and a half mark.
Or so it seemed.

ahem, anyway, an exciting prospect. It is a wonderful thing.

[teamsaint]

More from Kabelac.

[teamsaint]

Here's one.

I like his music.

Mostly.