What are some powerful "organ" symphonies?!
Question: What are some powerful "organ" symphonies!?
Besides Saint-Saens' Symphony No!. 3 ("The Organ Symphony), what are some similarly powerful symphonies where organs play a major part!?
I am looking for that sound of the organ that makes your heart race and sends shivers down your spine!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
I am looking for that sound of the organ that makes your heart race and sends shivers down your spine!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
Answers:
There are two obvious answers-- the two largest Mahler symphonies, nos!. 2 and 8!.
The second symphony was titled by the composer 'Auferstehung Sinfonie', German for 'Resurrection Symphony'!. The last movement is the one that seems to follow the typical 'resurrection' programme best, even within itself (it's nearly a half-hour long)!. It starts with a stormy blast from the orchestra, and immediately quiets to a horn solo that returns at the end with a choir and the organ, blasting at full volume!.
The Eighth symphony, because of the number of performers it takes, is commonly called 'Sinonie der Tausend' or 'Symphony of a Thousand'!. This time, the organist actually starts the piece by himself, giving the first, dramatic E-flat chord before the choir enters with the call of 'Veni, Creator Spiritus'!. The first section of the symphony with text in Latin is based on liturgical texts, while the second half, in German, is based on the final scene of Goeth's 'Faust' legend!. The final chorus ('Alles Verg?ngliche') is one of the most climactic moments in romantic music!.
As a final suggestion, I refer to my favorite symphony of all time, Vaughan Williams' first, which is commonly called 'A Sea Symphony'!. After a fanfare by the trumpets, the choir begins singing, only to be interupted by a blasted chord change from the full orchestra, backed by your organ!. The organ part in this work is less obvious than in the previous two, but it is present at most of the climaxes throughout!. Three of the four movements end quietly and gently (of course, the Scherzo doesn't, but it's not exactly 'dramatic), but they're all very worth listening to!. Probably the only major symphony with words in English you'll ever hear!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
The second symphony was titled by the composer 'Auferstehung Sinfonie', German for 'Resurrection Symphony'!. The last movement is the one that seems to follow the typical 'resurrection' programme best, even within itself (it's nearly a half-hour long)!. It starts with a stormy blast from the orchestra, and immediately quiets to a horn solo that returns at the end with a choir and the organ, blasting at full volume!.
The Eighth symphony, because of the number of performers it takes, is commonly called 'Sinonie der Tausend' or 'Symphony of a Thousand'!. This time, the organist actually starts the piece by himself, giving the first, dramatic E-flat chord before the choir enters with the call of 'Veni, Creator Spiritus'!. The first section of the symphony with text in Latin is based on liturgical texts, while the second half, in German, is based on the final scene of Goeth's 'Faust' legend!. The final chorus ('Alles Verg?ngliche') is one of the most climactic moments in romantic music!.
As a final suggestion, I refer to my favorite symphony of all time, Vaughan Williams' first, which is commonly called 'A Sea Symphony'!. After a fanfare by the trumpets, the choir begins singing, only to be interupted by a blasted chord change from the full orchestra, backed by your organ!. The organ part in this work is less obvious than in the previous two, but it is present at most of the climaxes throughout!. Three of the four movements end quietly and gently (of course, the Scherzo doesn't, but it's not exactly 'dramatic), but they're all very worth listening to!. Probably the only major symphony with words in English you'll ever hear!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the most famous 'organ symphony' - the 3rd Symphony of Saint-Sa?ns!. This is by no means a concerto but a true symphony with an important organ part!.
Another symphony with an important obbligato organ part is another 3rd Symphony - that of the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian!. It also has parts for no fewer that 15 trumpets! Wild, crazy, bombastic - but exciting - piece!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
Another symphony with an important obbligato organ part is another 3rd Symphony - that of the Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian!. It also has parts for no fewer that 15 trumpets! Wild, crazy, bombastic - but exciting - piece!.Www@Enter-QA@Com
You should be advised, that there are symphonies for organ, as well as symphonies for which an organ is only another instrument in the orchestra!.
My all time favorite "excerpt" from a complete organ symphony, is the last of a 5 movement organ symphony by the French organist:
Charles Marie-Widor: "toccata" from his 5th organ symphony!. The most glorious music ever written for the organ in my opinion!.
AlberichWww@Enter-QA@Com
My all time favorite "excerpt" from a complete organ symphony, is the last of a 5 movement organ symphony by the French organist:
Charles Marie-Widor: "toccata" from his 5th organ symphony!. The most glorious music ever written for the organ in my opinion!.
AlberichWww@Enter-QA@Com
I personally love Albinoni's Adagio for Strings and Organ in G minor!.Www@Enter-QA@Com