Classical newbie looking for organ music

[Bab]

Hello everyone. I decided to ask people what I'm looking for because I absolutely don't know where to look.

I'm looking for organ compositions/composers. More specifically, I'm looking for very heavy, very dark organ music. Not "satanic" but close to it, and it certainly as to be a bit religious.

As I said, I'm a newbie, so simply suggest and I'll start my quest from there.

Thanks for helping out!

[Corlyss_D]

Welcome to the board, Bab. Kick your shoes off and set a spell. We have a few organists here who will recommend specifics. In the meantime, I suggest Rhienberger and Widor. They are certainly noisy enough.

[jbuck919]

Welcome to the board, but I am afraid you have set us a near impossible task. There is no such thing as a composer or a CD that specializes in "very heavy, very dark" organ music, and unless someone else wishes to contradict me, I am the local expert on the subject. Every important organ composer had an appropriate range of expression in his compositions.

I would respectfully suggest that you stay with us out of general interest, and at the same time, if you were patient with us, we might get to the bottom of what you are really looking for and be more specifically helpful. You might begin with what is motivating you to this request in the first place.

[Bab]

Yes, I could probably be more eloquent.

First, I'm 26, my knowledge of classical music is close to nothing. What I know best is Beethoven's ninth symphony that I discovered on A Clockwork Orange's soundtrack. That's it ! I mainly listen to a wide range of electronic genre. I also so enjoy metal (heavy, death, black). There is an energy to wich I react (for the best!) from metal that I find when I ear organ (as described earlier). Unfortunatly, I have never ever listen to any organ works. Just a little bit here and there at the local churches, but I was lucky to listen to Sevilla's Cathedral's during a mass last year and it was a tear-in-the-eye experience.

Organ impresses me in the way it is as much a machine as it an instrument. Where they are set to be played is impressing as well. I like the resonance of huge stoned spaces. I like the richness of the sound brought by the complexity of it (richness that I enjoy from an orchestra as well).

I hope this explains my motivation.

Thanks for suggesting Rhienberger and Widor, I will start looking for information on that.

[Corlyss_D]

You might run down some organists too, like E. Power Biggs, a consummate showman who knew how to wring the most out of the instrument.

[RebLem]

The greatest organ composer of all time, by far, was J.S. Bach. In my opinion, the leading Bach organ player in the world is a French woman named Marie Claire Alain. She has recorded the complete Bach organ works no less than 3 times, and her latest traversal, mostly from the early 1990's, is available on a 14 disc Erato set. I highly recommend it.

Buxtehude is another great organ composer. I have his complete organ works on 5 Harmonia Mundi CDs by Rene Saorgin, but I am not as confident that that is the best choice as I am on my Bach recommendation.

Cesar Franck also wrote a fair number of organ works, and they are also available in a number of complete cycles.

Have fun.

[Brendan]

I've always regarded the first disc of my "Bach Organ Works" set with Helmut Walcha as straight from Dracula's castle. Hope that helps a little.

[Harvested Sorrow]

Bab, I must say I can understand where you're coming from, but unfortunately I can't help too much either. If you want to seek out stuff other than organ music, that may be possible.

[PJME]

I've been fascinated by the organ for a very long time. It is a wonderfull instrument that ,indeed, is capable of the softest whisper and the most outrageous noise.
Through the ages it has brought out the very best in composers and players.
I would recommend to rent Cd's or to listen to fragments on the internet. Many sites give that possibility.

You cannot escape J.S.Bach. ( preludes, fugues,fantasias etc), but you might also explore earlier baroque music from Germany and Italy.
I am particularly fond of Spanish baroque organ music. Juan Cabanilles,Francisco Correa de Arauxo etc. (lots of info on the internet - check out the Organ ring) wrote music that may take some time to get used to : Spanish organs have a special character!. Especially the trumpet-register can produce a stunning, hard, almost nasal sound that is unique.You can hear this in many "tientos" and "batallas".
This is not the place to give full historical overviews - so, I'll switch right to the Romantic period. Franz Liszt wrote some of the most impressive
(literaly) pieces for organ ever..."(variations on Ad nos,ad salutarem...) etc.Julius Reubke (1834-1856) lived too short to build a large catalogue , but his massive (very Lisztian) Sonata on the 94th psalm has become a classic.
In the Romantic period (19th century) organs became bigger and were introduced in the concerthall. In France some composers specialised in organmusic : C.M.Widor is a good example - as is louis Vierne. they wrote big, programmatic symphonies for organsolo!
I'll end with a few personal favorites:
Jehan Alain (early 20th century/ brother of organist Marie Claire) . Try his Litanies (many versions on CD).
Samuel Barber : Toccata festiva for organ and orchestra (several versions on CD - - Naxos is the cheapest) a virtuoso piece - Barber at his most "biblical". Sony recently re-issued the ca 1965 version of Edward Power Biggs and the Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy (who commissioned the work).Sony /RCA Seal 94739
Francis Poulenc: Concerto for organ, strings and timpani - a neo-baroque work full of fantasy and invention - quite serious in tone.
Aaron Copland : Symphony for organ and orchestra - a youthfull work (1923) - it starts slowly, works up to a jazzy Scherzo and ends in a majestic blaze.
Joseph Jongen : a tremendous Sonata eroica and a large scale Concerto symphonique (with a crazy Toccata/ moto perpetuo finale) Virgil Fox recorded it many years ago. Newer versions exist.
Olivier Messiaen: the supreme master of 20th century organ music. As a catholic, he was inspired by his religion (and by colors! )He wrote several long and extremely difficult organ cycles on mystical themes." La nativité du Seigneur" and "Méditations sur le mystère de la Sainte Trinité" - ..do give Messiaen a try!
Lou Harrison: concerto for organ and percussion-orchestra (the last movement is a musical roller-coaster ride)
Petr Eben (Czech composer - available on the Panton and Supraphon labels): a religous composer . Two concerti for organ and orchestra.
Jean Guillou : French virtuoso performer and composer - inspired by "the Universe" and religion...(possibly available on Philips)
A classic: Camille Saint Saens : symphony nr 3 (with organ )
The organ adds power to many compositions of Richard Strauss (Alpensymphonie, Festliches praeludium) Ottorino Respighi ( Feste romane, Pini di Roma, Vetrate di chiesa), Gustav Mahler (symphonies nr 2, 8).....etc
Jon Leifs: this Icelandic composer ( 20th century)wrote ( 1930-ies) a very original organconcerto (available on BIS) - the (short)! first movement is ..crushing
I mentioned already Belgian composer Joseph Jongen.
On a Klara CD (http://www.klara.be) you can discover another one : Flor Peeters ,(famous in the US as a paedagogue and performer). On " Flemish Connection III": Organconcerto andMissa Festiva. Pieter Pieters, organ - Flemish Radio Orchestra / Yoel Levi. (nr. MMP 041) . the concerto is almost a symphony (at ca 45 mins.) and is mildly late romantic/early expressionistic in style (its was written shortly after WW2)

Thierry Escaich is a young French organist/composer whom I heartily recommend. He belongs to a group of "neo-tonal"composers . His recent organconcerto is issued on the Accord label:
"The fine French organist, improviser, and composer Thierry Escaich composed all of the works on this disc. His friend Olivier Latry plays the organ concerto and Claire-Marie LeGuay plays the piano concerto with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège, Pascal Rophé, director. The recording has received numerous accolades and awards."
THIERRY ESCAICH: Organ Concerto
Fantaisie Concertante for piano and orchestra
Kyrie d’une messe imaginaire - First Symphony
AccordACC-4722162

And there is much more...- enjoy.
By the way, it is "Rheinberger" - not "Rhienberger" (important when you start searching!)
Peter

[MaestroDJS]

In the realm of organ music, J.S. Bach probably reigns supreme, and Max Reger (1873-1916) may be a close second. Although Reger's music was widely admired during his lifetime, the composer had many severe critics, most of whom objected to the constant modulatory nature of the music and the very dense contrapuntal writing, especially in the organ music. This is what I like most about his music, plus his blend of Baroque, Classical and Romantic forms. Reger's numerous great and deeply-felt (and extraordinarily difficult to perform) organ works remain today at the high point of post-Bach organ literature. They are often performed and studied today. His glorious Choral Fantasies, sensitive Choral Preludes, powerfully moving Passacaglias, Fugues etc., have lost none of their power to move the spirit. Many outstanding recordings are available. I'll never forget a concert by organist Carlo Curley in which he gave an outstanding performance of Fantasia on the Chorale "Wie schön leuchtet uns der Morgenstern".

A prolific composer, Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) wrote orchestral and chamber music and also opera and oratorios. Central to his works is his music for organ, an instrument which was widely used by 18th Century Baroque and Classical composers but it fell out of favor in the 19th Century. It was Rheinberger, along with César Franck of Belgium and Charles-Marie Widor of France, who restored favor to the organ in the Romantic era. His organ works include 20 sonatas, 2 concerti and many smaller pieces. These achieve a balance between flowing Romantic melodies and harmonies and rigorous Classical forms and counterpoint. Our dedicated site administrator Lance wrote about these fine works:

Josef Rheinberger's Organ Concertos
http://www.classicalmusicguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=8997

The short-lived Julius Reubke (1834-1858) left only 2 substantial works composed in 1857. His Piano Sonata in B-Flat Minor clearly shows the influence of Liszt, but also has a distinct personality of its own. Reubke’s finest work is his Organ Sonata in C Minor on the 94th Psalm, which stands among the greatest works of the 19th Century for organ. At times contrapuntal or massively chordal, is a masterpiece of form, tension and momentum almost seamlessly woven into a vast musical fabric. Reubke had developed an amazing pedal technique and he makes great demands on almost all registers and voices that the organ can create. In their striking originality and intensity, these 2 impressive works show tantalizing glimpses of genius cut off all too soon.

In the French tradition, Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937) composed in a large number of forms, including operas, ballets, symphonies, concertos and chamber music. His best-known works are those for organ, which are mostly secular and make full use of the resources of the modern instrument. He is regarded as the creator of the organ symphony, even though he was anticipated by César Franck in his Grande pièce symphonique, who in turn was anticipated by Charles-Valentin Alkan with his Symphonie pour piano seul from his Études, Op. 39. Widor treats the organ very much as a self-contained orchestra in his ten organ symphonies, which are remarkable for their colors, driving rhythms and clear structures. His slow movements have luxurious textures, while his finales feature vigorous homophony, although he also made much use of counterpoint. The symphonies are highly tonal, but make frequent modulations into distant keys.

Charles Ives (1874-1954) is not normally associated with organ music, or for music which is just plain fun, but his earliest major work was Variations on "America" for organ. It was originally entitled Variations Etc. on a National Hymn, and completed in 1891 when Ives was 17. It contains 5 playful variations, and the "Etc." of the title refers to a bandstand introduction, 2 polytonal interludes and a lively coda. The theme of America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) is identical to the British national anthem (God Save the King). In one particularly quirky variation Ives seems to take us extremely south of the border to Argentina for a brief quasi-tango polonaise. The work was not published until 1949 when organist E. Power Biggs reassembled the complete version with Ives' help. Composer William Schuman also orchestrated it in 1964.

Dave

David Stybr, Engineer and Composer: It's Left Brain vs. Right Brain: best 2 falls out of 3
http://members.SibeliusMusic.com/Stybr
Andante Cantabile for String Orchestra (5:00)
http://www.SibeliusMusic.com/cgi-bin/sh ... reid=83856

Personal Assistant and Der Webmeister to author Denise Swanson
http://www.DeniseSwanson.com
Murder of a Smart Cookie
Penguin Putnam ~ Signet, New York, NY

[greymouse]

This is easy: The complete organ music of Olivier Messiaen self performed by Messiaen. One of my best buys ever. You will be very happy with this choice if you are into heavy music like I am.

[GK]

I can see where Bab is coming from. When Hollywood depicts a madman they frequently show him at the organ playing some eerie piece. Bach's famous Toccata & Fugue fits the bill.

[johnQpublic]

One name:

Jehan Alain....I have the two discs on Naxos that's most of his music.

[Lance]

Hi Bab ... welcome to our cite. You'll find some interesting, erudite and fascinating people here. We're happy you joined us.

While PIANO is my personal "thing," I have a love for all great music, especially German lieder and chamber music. I am most fascinated by the people who MAKE music, i.e., the performer. Speaking of organists, two of the most popular during the LP heyday were Virgil Fox and E. Power Biggs, whose recordings are still being made available at least in part.

For EMI, Virgil Fox recorded the Jongen Symphonie Concertante that might very much appeal to you (and your sound system!). This is a superb recording (with orchestra) and Fox does a most admirable job, though after reading his book The Dish it wasn't as easy to accomplish as listeners might think. Purists may not agree, but Fox did much to bring the music of the organ to those who knew nothing about it. (Viz: "Bach Live at the Fillmore East" and "Heavy Organ," both once on MCA CDs. Then there was "Heavy Organ at Carnegie Hall, 1973" once available on an RCA CD. Fox used Rodgers electronic organs for these concerts and the listening experience is quite unforgettable.)

E. Power Biggs was another great organist who recorded prolifically. Some CDs of his work are still being made available and you would do well to acquire any of them.

An organist that I am more-and-more fascinated with is Ulrik Spang-Hanssen of Denmark (born 1953) who has recorded all of Buxtehude's organ music, Mendelssohn's organ music, Rued Langgaard, Elgar, Bach (especially the solo organ concerti on the Paula label), Rheinberger's two organ concertos, and so much more. What makes him interesting is that he is also a be-bop musician who plays the Hammond organ and has made recordings of this music as well! He sounds like YOUR kind of performer!

You might also want to purchase a recording of Camille Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 "Organ" - a real blockbuster in the final movement!

Just a few suggestions to hopefully point you in the direction you are seeking.

[jbuck919]

I can certainly endorse Bach and Reger. Some of the other composers mentioned here (Rheinberger) are, shall we say, well liked by those who like them well. I can also endorse RebLem's singling out Marie-Claire Alain's third Bach set, which is one of only two I own. The remarkable thing is that she showed such interpretive growth over her career, such willingness to change her assumptions and move from a "traditional" Romantic interpretation of Bach to one that is more idiomatic to the Baroque.

If you're going to look into Widor, who is very uneven, I suggest you also look into his approximate contemporary Louis Vierne, a blind French organist who in my opinion is the superior composer of the two.

The most famous 20th century composer for organ is Olivier Messiaen. I don't happen to care for him, but I bet you will. Very, very atmospheric and designed to be played on the greatest organs of the 19th century French "big church, big organ" type.

[Richard Mullany]

There are twpo types of organ, mechanical tracker and electro-pneumatic. The latter is likely the sound you would like. It uses pipes of different colors than does the MT sort. So I'd look at Michael Murray, Virgil Fox for sure, and for the MT, E. Power Biggs, long gone but he left a huge library of recordings. He recorded mostly for Columbia and you can still get one of the best, "The Four Great Prludes and Fugues." This was recorded in East Germany on a giant contraption; four organs in the corners and one in the nave I think it was. The sound is spectacular with a great resonance. My prrference is the MT organ and on that there are so many it would be crazy to list them. I have the complete Bach organ works done to a turn by Kevin Bowyer on Nimbus Records. The organ is an Mt in Odense, Denmark by Marcussen. The sound is superb; while it is not a huge organ; three manuals, it has all the bass anyone could wish for and beautiful reeds, perfect for Bach. It is the type of organ Bach played.You might try the website of The Guild of The American Organ Society. They sell a lot of organ recordings the quality of which is generally pretty good. They also publish a great magazine about organs and organists. Welcome to the world of organ music!

[MaestroDJS]

This is easy: The complete organ music of Olivier Messiaen self performed by Messiaen. One of my best buys ever. You will be very happy with this choice if you are into heavy music like I am.

Mmm, Messiaen. One of the many reasons I learned French and German in the 1980s was so I could read record catalogues from France, Germany etc. and order directly by mail. During the LP era, the choices often varied widely from country to country, and I wanted to cast a wide net. Among my haul...

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1993), France: L'Oeuvre d'Orgue. Apparition de l'Église Éternelle; L'Ascension; Nativité du Seigneur; Le Banquet Céleste; Diptyque; Les Corps Glorieux; Messe de la Pentecôte; Livre d'Orgue. Olivier Messiaen, Organ (l'orgue de l'Église de la Trinité) (Recorded June & July 1957). EMI 2 C 153-16291/6 (6 LPs) (France).

I even found Olivier Messiaen's home address and wrote to him for his autograph. He graciously complied.

Dave

David Stybr, Engineer and Composer: It's Left Brain vs. Right Brain: best 2 falls out of 3
http://members.SibeliusMusic.com/Stybr
Andante Cantabile for String Orchestra (5:00)
http://www.SibeliusMusic.com/cgi-bin/sh ... reid=83856

Personal Assistant and Der Webmeister to author Denise Swanson
http://www.DeniseSwanson.com
Murder of a Smart Cookie
Penguin Putnam ~ Signet, New York, NY

[jbuck919]

You might try the website of The Guild of The American Organ Society. They sell a lot of organ recordings the quality of which is generally pretty good. They also publish a great magazine about organs and organists. Welcome to the world of organ music!

Forgive me, but he will never find it that way. If you mean the American Guild of Organists, which is exactly what its name implies, they do publish a fine magazine, The American Organist, which would be of interest mainly to organists. However, they do not sell CDs.

I believe you mean the Organ Historical Society, which also publishes a magazine called The Tracker, but which does have a very extensive selection of CDs that are not available anywhere else. One does not have to be a member to buy them:

http://www.organsociety.org

I went to their convention in Massachusetts last year, and I intend to go again this year, because it happens to be in Saratoga Springs, NY, my summertime back yard.

[jbuck919]

There are twpo types of organ, mechanical tracker and electro-pneumatic. The latter is likely the sound you would like. It uses pipes of different colors than does the MT sort.

You are probably right in the overall picture. Just a gentle reminder, though, that all the organs of Aristide Cavaille-Coll for which composers up to and including Messiaen wrote, with their classically huge romantic sound, are trackers. No electricity back then, you know.

[Corlyss_D]

One of the many reasons I learned French and German in the 1980s was so I could read record catalogues from France, Germany etc. and order directly by mail.

Wow! I salute your devotion. In my wildest NMA/Munich Operfest craze I never went that far. I struggled along with my ancient first year German - if it required more, I resorted to handsignals.

[MaestroDJS]

One of the many reasons I learned French and German in the 1980s was so I could read record catalogues from France, Germany etc. and order directly by mail.

Wow! I salute your devotion. In my wildest NMA/Munich Operfest craze I never went that far. I struggled along with my ancient first year German - if it required more, I resorted to handsignals.

Music was my trigger, but it all snowballed, and it pays dividends to this day. One of our new engineering clients is a US subsidiary of company from France. Yesterday I had 3 meetings with 8 different engineers. My French is far from perfect, and our meetings were mostly in English anyway. But afterward I turned on my best "French Man" voice -- imagine Andy Kaufman's "Foreign Man" played straight -- and made beaucoup small talk in French. Just then a French bigwig walked in and wow did his face light up. So I launched into my standard explanation, and naturally I gave full credit to music:

J'ai commencé à étudier le français parce que j'aime la musique classique, et j'ai simplement voulu lire les noms et titres des morceaux, et aussi d'acheter des disques. Puis durant beaucoup de voyages d'affaires à l'Europe j'ai appris de plus en plus, et maintenant je puis parler un peu de français.

(I began to study French because I love classical music, and I simply wanted to read the names and titles of pieces, and also to buy records. Then during many business trip to Europe I learned more and more, and now I can speak a little French.)

We nailed some nice contracts, and now I need to write 3 more proposals for them. Oui, madame, one must strike while zee iron is hot. But German is still easier for me to speak.

Anyway, Babs is "looking for very heavy, very dark organ music." One of the most cataclysmic works I know is the Organ Concerto by Icelandic composer Jón Leifs (1899-1968). It evolves from an anguished opening (chord clusters, pounding drums, sledgehammer etc.) to a triumphant conclusion.

Dave

David Stybr, Engineer and Composer: It's Left Brain vs. Right Brain: best 2 falls out of 3
http://members.SibeliusMusic.com/Stybr
Andante Cantabile for String Orchestra (5:00)
http://www.SibeliusMusic.com/cgi-bin/sh ... reid=83856

Personal Assistant and Der Webmeister to author Denise Swanson
http://www.DeniseSwanson.com
Murder of a Smart Cookie
Penguin Putnam ~ Signet, New York, NY

[PJME]

I just can't resist introducing this fascinating, totaly unorthodox artist.

http://jeanguillou.artistes.universalmu ... index.html

Text from his website:
Taking a particular interest in the combination of the organ with other instruments, Jean Guillou has written five organ concertos, works for cello and organ, violin and organ, trumpet, clarinet, etc. His 6th Organ Concerto is due to be premiered in 2004.

Philips re-released all his recordings made in the 1960s and ‘70s on 9 CDs, and also proposes some of his works for organ and other instruments and transcriptions, on 7 CDs. In addition, Jean Guillou has recorded the complete organ works of Bach, a CD with the Borgato double piano and a CD devoted entirely to Mozart (to be released).

Of particular interest is the following CD - and be prepared for for some really awe inspiring experiences!

L'Orgue du XXe siècle
André JOLIVET, Grazyna BACEWICZ, Antoine TISNE,
Michel PHILIPPOT, Olivier MESSIAEN, Jean GUILLOU

Program:
André JOLIVET : Mandala
Grazyna BACEWICZ : Esquisse
Antoine TISNE : Cités de Lumière,
Cathédrales de l'Univers
Michel PHILIPPOT : Sonate
Olivier MESSIAEN : Les Corps glorieux –
Quatre combats de la Mort et de la Vie
Jean GUILLOU : Sinfonietta

[Bab]

I can probably start by saying that I'm almost getting shy from your reactions.

You have submitted to me more knowledge and names that I could have thinked about. It was extremely instructional to read all your posts and now I absolutely know where to look and what to try.

I've already been able to put a hand down on Bach's Organ Work with Helmut Walcha. As one said, the first CD sounds like "straight from Dracula's castle". Tought I'm still definitly looking for thunderous organ music, I'm entirely willing to explore more subtle pieces.

I ordered that CD from the Amazon link that was suggested, "An Organ Sampler Blaster". I don't know what the people around here think about that release, but it will certainly help me have a taste of different composers and enhance my knowledge and understanding of the organ world.

Meanwhile, I'm reorganising my living room so that I can take more out of my sound system. I used to listen to a lot of music and now I feel like it's time to get back to this pleasure. I also want to ear some Bach on something else than my computer speakers!

- "I can see where Bab is coming from. When Hollywood depicts a madman they frequently show him at the organ playing some eerie piece. Bach's famous Toccata & Fugue fits the bill."

This is not where I'm coming from. I don't really enjoy hollywood's clichés in general. This is why I'm here looking for deeper knowledge and understanding.

Thanks again to everyone! I'll probably come back here to discuss about my first listenings.

[Bab]

Ok now I just read the second page of comments! The list is getting long, I take notes and now I'm going to the library to rent a few.

Thank you

[Corlyss_D]

Just then a French bigwig walked in and wow did his face light up.

Yeah. They consider it a mark of serious interest in them as people if you speak the language. It's like a credential you can't buy.

[Richard Mullany]

JHBuck, I know that CV didn't have 110 volts at hand but have you ever noticed that his organs, for their being trackers all the way, sound similar to electro-pneumatic organs in their "orchestral" sound. This may be peculiar to my ears. I had an LP of the organ at Notre Dame and it sounded much like a big Aolian Skinner.

[Richard Mullany]

I re-read your post in which you replied to my post and you ndeed refer to just what I said above. Regards..

[Harvested Sorrow]

I can probably start by saying that I'm almost getting shy from your reactions.

You have submitted to me more knowledge and names that I could have thinked about. It was extremely instructional to read all your posts and now I absolutely know where to look and what to try.

I've already been able to put a hand down on Bach's Organ Work with Helmut Walcha. As one said, the first CD sounds like "straight from Dracula's castle". Tought I'm still definitly looking for thunderous organ music, I'm entirely willing to explore more subtle pieces.

I ordered that CD from the Amazon link that was suggested, "An Organ Sampler Blaster". I don't know what the people around here think about that release, but it will certainly help me have a taste of different composers and enhance my knowledge and understanding of the organ world.

Meanwhile, I'm reorganising my living room so that I can take more out of my sound system. I used to listen to a lot of music and now I feel like it's time to get back to this pleasure. I also want to ear some Bach on something else than my computer speakers!

- "I can see where Bab is coming from. When Hollywood depicts a madman they frequently show him at the organ playing some eerie piece. Bach's famous Toccata & Fugue fits the bill."

This is not where I'm coming from. I don't really enjoy hollywood's clichés in general. This is why I'm here looking for deeper knowledge and understanding.

Thanks again to everyone! I'll probably come back here to discuss about my first listenings.

Not exactly a classical recommendation...but the funeral doom band Skepticism employs an organ on some of their albums. (check out Stomcrowfleet)

[jbuck919]

JHBuck, I know that CV didn't have 110 volts at hand but have you ever noticed that his organs, for their being trackers all the way, sound similar to electro-pneumatic organs in their "orchestral" sound. This may be peculiar to my ears. I had an LP of the organ at Notre Dame and it sounded much like a big Aolian Skinner.

It is more like a big Aeolian Skinner sounds somewhat like a Cavaille-Coll, which is what Notre Dame has. The late Romantic model was the ideal for a number of decades, though electro-pneumatics (you press down the key and it completes a circuit that opens the pipe) became the norm.

[PJME]

hello Bab, your post made look through my CD collection again, and I re-discovered a quite old Olympia CD with music by Boleslaw Szabelski

"The Music of Boleslaw Szabelski (1896-1979). Works for Orchestra. Bolesław Szabelski: "Toccata", "Etudia", "Concerto grosso", "Aforyzmy '9' ", "Preludia", "Koncert na flet (= flute) i orkiestrę", "Symfonia nr 5" na chór mieszany, organy i orkiestrę. Paweł Bronkowski flet, Wielka Orkiestra Symfoniczna Polskiego Radia, dyr. Jan Krenz, Chór i Orkiestra Symfoniczna Filharmonii Narodowej, dyr. Andrzej Markowski. Olympia 1988 - OCD 300, AAD 74'17''."

I doubt that it is still available in regular shops, but you might be able to find it in secondhand stores. Szabelski is an obscure composer, probabbly better known in Poland than in the rest of the world. This CD is also the only one with his music I know off.
Roughly speaking, I suppose that he is one of those composers who had the bad luck to grow old ca 1960-1970, and ,apparently, he changed his style drastically - from mild expressionism and neo-classicism to serialism.
(Even Strawinsky took that step)
Even so, the main attraction on this CD, is the fifth symphony for mixed chorus,organsolo and orchestra from 1968. A bold,stunning composition of incredible force. Even in its most avant-garde moments, one can "feel" a late Romantic breath ,something epic!
Don't be fooled, Bach never wrote nightmarish music ...If ever a composition came close to describe a surreal Gothic cathedral filled with the voices of the Dead...than it is this symphony.

[Max Schmeder]

Hi there,
I'll re-recommend Olivier Messiaen to your gloomy aesthetics but add this caveat. Messiaen's legacy is plagued by his own fans - such as myself - as we obviously misunderstand his music when we ascribe "darkness" to pieces that were intended to portray some of the most sublime moments in Christian history. Maybe the perceived darkness is there but explained as 'apophatic'?... I no very little about him, but whatever the case, his organ music should suit your needs!

-Max Schmeder

[Corlyss_D]

Welcome to the board, Max. Kick your shoes off and set a spell. Post early and often.