Elgar Organ Sonata

[Braunschlag]

I'll keep it shortish. I opened my account on the forum with a bit of a groan regarding Mendelssohn which looks as though it's been picked over reasonably well.
At this risk of burning a bridge or two I now train my guns onto my other pet dislike - namely the Elgar Organ Sonata. I like my Elgar and I've really tried with this piece but it really does nothing for me at all. It's not particularly well written for the instrument, containing little in the way of registration indications and, to my mind, pales into comparison with other lesser-known Sonatas such as the Harwood or even the Bairstow.
I'd probably better button it now as I expect a counter attack soonish:)
An overrated piece? Only played because it's by Elgar? I don't really follow why it's so popular.

[BBMmk2]

I'll keep it shortish. I opened my account on the forum with a bit of a groan regarding Mendelssohn which looks as though it's been picked over reasonably well.
At this risk of burning a bridge or two I now train my guns onto my other pet dislike - namely the Elgar Organ Sonata. I like my Elgar and I've really tried with this piece but it really does nothing for me at all. It's not particularly well written for the instrument, containing little in the way of registration indications and, to my mind, pales into comparison with other lesser-known Sonatas such as the Harwood or even the Bairstow.
I'd probably better button it now as I expect a counter attack soonish:)
An overrated piece? Only played because it's by Elgar? I don't really follow why it's so popular.

Hope you have your coat handy!!

[Braunschlag]

Hope you have your coat handy!!

Ooh, indeed, I might need my passport this time around

[BBMmk2]

Ooh, indeed, I might need my passport this time around

Well, I love the Elgar sonata. I don't think it one of his best works though but still very much a favourite of mine.

[Tony Halstead]

other lesser-known Sonatas such as the Harwood

Now you're talking! What a masterpiece...

[Braunschlag]

Now you're talking! What a masterpiece...

It seems to be gaining popularity but many steer clear because they just can't be bothered to tackle it's considerable technical demands.

[ahinton]

To me, Elgar's Organ Sonata is one of his also-ran works - not as bad as Fringes of the Fleet, still less that ghastly Crown of India thing, but quite bad enough - and I write this as one who yields to none in his admiration and love for Elgar's finest works such as the concertos, the symphonies (yes, all three!), Alassio, Gerontius, Falstaff, the three late chamber works...

[Braunschlag]

To me, Elgar's Organ Sonata is one of his also-ran works - not as bad as Fringes of the Fleet, still less that ghastly Crown of India thing, but quite bad enough - and I write this as one who yields to none in his admiration and love for Elgar's finest works such as the concertos, the symphonies (yes, all three!), Alassio, Gerontius, Falstaff, the three late chamber works...

It's my view entirely and I suspect that it's included in recital programmes not because it's a good piece but simply that it has Elgar as it's composer. The orchestration of it doesn't really improve things either.

[ahinton]

It's my view entirely and I suspect that it's included in recital programmes not because it's a good piece but simply that it has Elgar as it's composer. The orchestration of it doesn't really improve things either.

No, indeed it doesn't; I wonder why anyone bothered to think that it might act as something of a saving grace for so graceless an unsaveable work!

[Alison]

Come on guys, folk like all that wistful melody.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The orchestration of it doesn't really improve things either.

I think it does, especially in that wonderful slow movement.

[Alison]

I think it does, especially in that wonderful slow movement.

[EdgeleyRob]

I think it does, especially in that wonderful slow movement.

Me too.

[Braunschlag]

I think it does, especially in that wonderful slow movement.

Which suggests then that it wasn't particularly well written for the organ in the first place.

[EdgeleyRob]

Which suggests then that it wasn't particularly well written for the organ in the first place.

Not necessarily.

Is it still known as Elgar's Symphony No 0 in Gordon Jacob's orchestration ?