Organ music in the 20th century

www.organman.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:23:40 +0000

At the time of its early invention in the 3rd^nd century B.C., the organ was associated with gladiator fights. Around the 8^th century A.D. it became a popular instrument for crafting Western religious music. However, modern musicians have used the organ for a variety of reasons, some of them as surprising as they are compelling.Marcel Dupre was an organist who followed in the Romantic French tradition but added a modern touch of improvisation. Over more than 2000 recitals, he developed impressive five-part-fugues which showed the ability of the organ to captivate modern listeners. Olivier Messiaen was another modern composer who transposed rhythms from Greek and Hindu sources to modern music to make a new and complex sound.The melodramatic atmosphere of soap operas surprisingly made them a perfect fit for the majestic sound of the organ. This originated with early radio series like The Adventures of Ellery Queen and Young Doctor Malone, later transitioning to television shows like Love of Life and The Secret Storm. All of the above were scored by Charles Paul, a renowned and long-running soap opera organist.In the 1960s and 1970s organs also became more popular in rock music, especially for progressive artists who were looking to break the mold. Tangerine Dream and Yes both used pipe organs on a number of their albums, as did Frank Zappa. Electronic organs were used by heavier groups like Iron Butterfly and Deep Purple. Parallel to its popularity in rock and roll, Jimmy Smith made the electric organ a popular jazz instrument starting in the 1950s.Finally, the organ’s powerful sound has made it a signature instrument for sports arenas. Wrigley Field pioneered this technique when they introduced an organist in 1941, but other arenas have followed suit. It’s obvious that the organ isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as its music continues to captivate listeners in a variety of ways.

Famous organists of the modern day

www.organman.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:15:35 +0000

It’s obvious that the organ is not a dead instrument, given its popularity in sporting arenas and certain classic songs, but not everyone knows that there are players still carrying on the classical organ tradition. Even in the United States alone, there is a plethora of players regularly working the pumps and astounding audiences. If you get a chance to see one of these players on their way through your town, don’t miss it.

Guy Whatley was born in Wales in 1975, but got his doctorate at Arizona State University, where he wrote a dissertation on Tudor organ music. He regularly tours with trumpeter Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski, as well as playing full-time at the Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley, AZ.
James Biery had the highest score on the Fellowship of the American Guild of Organists (FAGO) exam in 1986, and continues to perform music of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. He also composes music of his own, and only recently retired from Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota.
Chelsea Chen is one of the youngest organists currently performing, only gaining notice in the late 1990s. She performs in both America and Taiwan, occasionally as part of an acclaimed violin-organ duo with Lewis Wong. Upcoming performances include an August European Tour and an October appearance at the University of California.
Carlo Curley is as skilled at the organ as he is at entertaining. He has been dubbed the “Pavarotti of the organ” by the press, referring to the famous Italian opera tenor. Among his notable concert record, he was the first classical organist to give a solo recital at the White House, and he continues to tour and promote organ music to this day.

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Organ music in the 20th century

Famous organists of the modern day