I seem to remember Hal Leonard publishing classical and hymn fake books
although I've never seen one myself. When I was playing in church I often had
to improvise extensions EG: when the collection took longer than expected.
Invariably when I did an extension there was always some little old lady that
would come up after service and ask what the name of the piece I was playing
and if I could do it again sometime. How could I tell them that unless it was
recorded it probably would never be heard again.
JJS
----- Original Message -----
I have enjoyed hearing Dan Miller and Hector play several most beloved pipe
organ classics. The problem I find with playing some of it is the length.
Sometimes middle section gets more complicated than the beginning. Often the
last part is a return the beginning of the piece that has the same ending as
the original.
Are there good organ books in print that have some of the classics abridged in
some way, plus conveniently leaving out "those two pages" that are much more
difficult than the rest of the piece.
I'm thinking about 19th century to the present. There are multiple versions of
Bach and Handel's compositions, though many are transcriptions. They weren't
written for the organ, but for chamber music, strings, etc.
I don't want to purchase much more music at least for now.
My hearing is giving me trouble. I sometimes hear distortion and the hearing
loss in profound in the left ear.
However, I am tired of the stuff that I have been able to find in AR. Some of
those hymn arrangements leave much to be desired!
I received a degree in music education in choral music with piano being the
principal instrument and a minor in voice and organ. I got passed the Eight
Little Preludes and Fugues by J S Bach and did learn one or two of the bigger
Bach numbers.
I love hymn improvisations that have the majesty and breadth of pieces that
would be played in a cathedral. Some of these hymn arrangements that I find are
dreadful!
Any ideas!
Robert McMenis
