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.
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25 comments:

  1. Pamela Ruiter-FeenstraNovember 17, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    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. Jeff BrillhartNovember 17, 2011 at 8:54 AM

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

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  3. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 12:32 PM

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

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  5. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    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. Jeff BrillhartNovember 17, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:30 PM

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

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  11. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:34 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:44 PM

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

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  14. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 2:58 PM

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

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  15. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 3:00 PM

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

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  16. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 3:09 PM

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

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  17. Jeff BrillhartNovember 17, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 17, 2011 at 3:19 PM

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

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  19. TimothyNovember 18, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    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. TimothyNovember 18, 2011 at 9:00 PM

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

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  21. TimothyNovember 18, 2011 at 9:03 PM

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

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  22. TimothyNovember 18, 2011 at 9:07 PM

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

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  23. TimothyNovember 18, 2011 at 9:08 PM

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

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  24. TimothyDecember 3, 2011 at 8:34 AM

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

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  25. TimothyDecember 20, 2011 at 6:44 PM

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

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