Thursday, November 17, 2011

Having attended the amazing EROI (Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative) and AGO Organ Pedagogy conference last week, I heard lots of requests for a blog about organ improvisation. Yes. Learning how to improvise ON THE SPOT at the pipe organ. It's not impossible to do and it is a load of fun.

25 comments:

  1. Thanks, Jeff, for initiating the improv blog. We kindred spirits can do much to further the cause of improvisation pedagogy if we collaborate. Thanks, too, for your brilliant improvisations at EROI! Kudos.

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  2. Thanks, Pamela, for all the amazing work you have done... you've been a driving FORCE in our midst!

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  3. Thanks, Jeff, for starting this blog -- and greetings to all! Sorry I wasn't at EROI this past weekend. Saturday was Olivia's birthday, so I needed to stay close to home.

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  4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNRpAm6yi4w

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  5. There are links on a Dutch Radio webspage for recordings of past Haarlem Improvisation Concourses. This link seems to work: just choose a likely organist's name (I chose Nigel Allcoat to get you started): http://orgelconcerten.ncrv.nl/organist/nigel-allcoat

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  6. Here's a very archetypal Marcel Dupré improvisation on Veni Creator Spiritus (check out the bottom link): http://orgelconcerten.ncrv.nl/concert/marcel-dupr%C3%A9

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  7. OK, I guess I'm not finding the best way to post links -- any advice you can offer will be appreciated. In the meantime, folks, I've struck gold! That Dutch Radio site has links to André Isoir's legendary winning performances in the 1968 Haarlem Concourse: http://orgelconcerten.ncrv.nl/organist/andr%C3%A9-isoir

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  8. Timothy. Love your links.I'm thinking that you MAY be able to post these via Youtube...SO, when you find a video you like, click on share. Then click "show more"... you should see a link to "blogger"... hope that works!

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  9. Thanks, Jeff! I tried that, but it directed me to create a blog, and I did that, but it turns out to have nothing to do with your blog! I can't see a means by which to connect to your blog. In the meantime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uhyY35REZE&feature=related

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  10. I have the LP version of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHQgRX4RUBg&feature=related

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  11. Part 2 of Dupré's improvised Passacaglia & Fugue at the Kölner Dom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eswghanz__Y&feature=related

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  12. Yes, these aren't on the organ, but Richard Grayson's improvisations are TOP CLASS!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8mjikxCBQA&feature=related

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  13. This ain't too shabby either: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IshINI7uGpE&feature=related

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  14. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kGjEY7CZgc&feature=related

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  15. I think this one is especially classy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj_GLMcjCwU&feature=related

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  16. And this one has an overall sense of inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d12k55tzPjQ&feature=related

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  17. Hey there... well, I'm no to this blog thing... I've sent you an invitation to join... that SHOULD allow you to upload video.

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  18. This is truly elegant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfCUFK7md4w&feature=related

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  19. OK, I tried to post a link via your invitation to join, but I couldn't get it to work.

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  20. http://www.ina.fr/art-et-culture/musique/video/CPF08008756/point-d-orgue.fr.html

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  21. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFbDgOQJO6M

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  22. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLtWWU_QaLo

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  23. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT8Ixh7LpRU&feature=related

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  24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmCrkVQiyRA&feature=related

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  25. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvUbrbFdJ8g

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