RESOURCES

A Bach recital by Organ Society member Christopher Wrench, from Brisbane Australia

Introduction

Prelude and Fugue in G BWV 541

Sonata IV in E BWV 528

Chorale Preludes BWV 632-644

Passacaglia in C  BWV 582

Sunday September 26th

Nun danket alle Gott

- Chorale Prelude by Max Reger

Nun danket alle Gott

- Chorale Improvisation by Paul Manz

Nun danket alle Gott

- Chorale Prelude by G F Kauffmann

Trumpet Voluntary

by Jeremiah Clarke

Sunday August 22nd

The music is all by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). He was partly responsible for a resurgence in interest in the music of JS Bach (1685-1750). Thanks, Felix.

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This is what Wikipedia says about him:

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy[n 1] (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), born and widely known as Felix Mendelssohn,[n 2] was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music, organ music and chamber music. His best-known works include the overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream, the Italian Symphony, the Scottish Symphony, the oratorio St. Paul, the oratorio Elijah, the overture The Hebrides, the mature Violin Concerto and the String Octet. The melody for the Christmas carol "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" is also his. Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words are his most famous solo piano compositions.

Cavatina by Mendelssohn

Andante from Sonata VI by Mendelssohn

Fugue from Sonata VI by Mendelssohn

Sunday August 15th

August 14th 2021 marks the 211th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Sebastian Wesley’s in 1810. So this week I am presenting my own composition, Wesley Suite, a tribute to the inspirational Wesley family – John Wesley (preacher), his brother Charles Wesley (hymn writer), Charles’ son Samuel Wesley (composer), and Samuel’s son Samuel Sebastian Wesley (composer).

Wondering Soul from Wesley Suite

The title “Wondering Soul” is a reference to the first line of the Wesleys’ Conversion Hymn, “Where shall my wondering soul begin?” which was written after John Wesley’s Aldersgate Street experience in which he felt his heart was “strangely warmed”

Chapel Prayer from Wesley Suite

“Chapel Prayer” is a reflective piece referring to Wesley’s Chapel in City Road, London, a Methodist Church built under the direction of John Wesley.

Wesley’s Gallop from Wesley Suite

“Wesley’s Gallop” paints a musical picture of John Wesley riding on horseback around the towns and villages of England, preaching the Gospel in churches, halls, fields, cottages and chapels.

Liberty Fanfare from Wesley Suite

by Steven Nisbet

The word “Liberty” in the title of “Liberty Fanfare” refers to John Wesley’s advocacy for the abolition of slavery. He wrote, “Liberty is the right of every human creature”. The piece contains musical references to two well-known hymns –
(i) “Amazing Grace”, the words of which were written by his fellow abolitionist, friend and mentor, John Newton, as well as

(ii) “And can it be”, the words of which were written by Charles Wesley.

Sunday July 5th

The music is all by J.S. Bach because 28th July is the anniversary of his death in 1750

Jesu, joy of man's desiring

- from Cantata 147 by JS Bach

Sheep may safely graze

- from Cantata 208 by JS Bach

Air from Orchestral Suite No 3 in D

by JS Bach

Fantasia in C minor BWV 562

by JS Bach

Never Too Young

Young organists at the Hunter District

Organ Society Concert at

Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle

(48 mins)