I imagine that most people in the world see the organ as an instrument that is used primarily to play hymns and classical pieces. And most people would be right. There are, however, lots of fun things you can do with even a small organ.
The following are three of my favorite organ solos, all of which are Christmas songs.
The first is by Cameron Carpenter, one of today's most brilliant and unique organists. He is the only organist to ever be nominated for a Grammy award. His playing style is very unique and somewhat controversial. I personally enjoy his compositions. Here's a video of him playing his arrangement of "Sleigh Ride" at the Marshall & Ogletree Organ at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City, which he helped to design. This organ is all digital, but it uses some new technologies I won't go into now to make it sound so authentic! This organ incorporates sounds from a classical and a theatre organ to create such a cool effect, with percussion and everything. It's all coming from the organ.
Here's the video:
This next one has some of the most amazing pedal work I have ever seen! This is "Go, Tell it on the Mountain," Arranged and performed by a man who is probably my favorite organist, Richard Elliott, Principal Organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:
And here's Richard Elliott, with my favorite Christmas organ solo ever, his own mashup of "Good King Wenceslas" and just about every significant part of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite:"
Have a Very Merry Christmas, everyone!
No comments:
Post a Comment