Symphony No. 3, Op. 78 (Organ Symphony)

SKU: HL.14035728

UPC: 884088816018. 8.5x11.0x0.417 inches.

Music from the acclaimed organist and composer Guy Weitz.

SKU: BA.BA10303-01

ISBN 9790006559503. 33 x 26 cm inches. Key: C minor. Preface: Michael Stegemann.

The third symphony by Camille Saint-Saens, known as the Organ Symphony, is the first publication in a complete historical-critical edition of the French composer's instrumental works.

I gave everything I was able to give in this work. [...] What I have done here I will never be able to do again.Camille Saint-Saens was rightly proud of his third Symphony in C minor Op.78, dedicated to the memory of Franz Liszt. Called theOrgan Symphonybecause of its novel scoring, the work was a commission from the Philharmonic Society in London, as was Beethoven's Ninth, and was premiered there on 19 May 1886. The first performance in Paris followed on 9 January 1887 and confirmed the composer's reputation asprobably the most significant, and certainly the most independent French symphonistof his time, as Ludwig Finscher wrote in MGG. In fact the work remains the only one in the history of that genre in France to the present day, composed a good half century after the Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz and a good half century before Olivier Messiaen's Turangalila Symphonie.

You would think that such a famous, much-performed and much recorded opus could not hold any more secrets, but far from it: in the first historical-critical edition of the Symphony, numerous inconsistencies and mistakes in the Durand edition in general use until now, have been uncovered and corrected. An examination and evaluation of the sources ranged from two early sketches, now preserved in Paris and Washington (in which the Symphony was still in B minor!) via the autograph manuscript and a set of proofs corrected by Saint-Saens himself, to the first and subsequent editions of the full score and parts. The versions for piano duet (by Leon Roques) and for two pianos (by the composer himself) were also consulted. Further crucial information was finally found in his extensive correspondence, encompassing thousands of previously unpublished letters. The discoveries made in producing this edition include the fact that at its London premiere, the Symphony probably looked quite different from its present appearance ...

No less exciting than the work itself is the history of its composition and reception, which are described in an extensive foreword. With his Symphony, Saint-Saens entered right into the dispute which divided French musical life into pro and contra Wagner in the 1880s and 1890s. At the same time, the work succeeded in preserving the balance between tradition and modernism in masterly fashion, as a contemporary critic stated:The C minor Symphony by Saint-Saens creates a bridge from the past into the future, from immortal richness to progress, from ideas to their implementation.

On 19 March 1886 Saint-Saens wrote to the London Philharmonic Society, which commissioned the work:

Work on the symphony is in full swing. But I warn you, it will be terrible. Here is the precise instrumentation: 3 flutes / 2 oboes / 1 cor anglais / 2 clarinets / 1 bass clarinet / 2 bassoons / 1 contrabassoon / 2 natural horns / [3 trumpets / Saint-Saens had forgotten these in his listing.] 2 chromatic horns / 3 trombones / 1 tuba / 3 timpani / organ / 1 piano duet and the strings, of course. Fortunately, there are no harps. Unfortunately it will be difficult. I am doing what I can to mitigate the difficulties.

As in my 4th Concerto [for piano] and my [1st] Violin Sonata [in D minor Op.75] at first glance there appear to be just two parts: the first Allegro and the Adagio, the Scherzo and the Finale, each attacca. This fiendish symphony has crept up by a semitone; it did not want to stay in B minor, and is now in C minor.

It would be a pleasure for me to conduct this symphony. Whether it would be a pleasure for others to hear it? That is the question. It is you who wanted it, I wash my hands of it. I will bring the orchestral parts carefully corrected with me, and if anyone wants to give me a nice rehearsal for the symphony after the full rehearsal, everything will be fine.

When Saint-Saens hit upon the idea of adding an organ and a piano to the usual orchestral scoring is not known. The idea of adding an organ part to a secular orchestral work intended for the concert hall was thoroughly novel - and not without controversy. On the other hand, Franz Liszt, whose music Saint-Saens' Symphony is so close to, had already demonstrated that the organ could easily be an orchestral instrument in his symphonic poem Hunnenschlacht (1856/57). There was also a model for the piano duet part which Saint-Saens knew and may possibly have used quite consciously as an exemplar: theFantaisie sur la Tempetefrom the lyrical monodrama Lelio, ou le retour a la Vie op. 14bis (1831) by Berlioz. The name of the organist at the premiere ist unknown, as, incidentally, was also the case with many of the later performances; the organ part is indeed not soloistic, but should be understood as part of the orchestral texture.

In fact the subsequent success of the symphony seems to have represented a kind of breakthrough for the composer, who was then over 50 years of age.My dear composer of a famous symphony, wrote Saint-Saens' friend and pupil Gabriel Faure:You will never be able to imagine what a pleasure I had last Sunday [at the second performance on 16 January 1887]! And I had the score and did not miss a single note of this Symphony, which will endure much longer than we two, even if we were to join together our two lifespans!

About Barenreiter Urtext

What can I expect from a Barenreiter Urtext edition?< /p>

MUSICOLOGICA LLY SOUND
- A reliable musical text based on all available sources
- A description of the sources
- Information on the genesis and history of the work
- Valuable notes on performance practice
- Includes an introduction with critical commentary explaining source discrepancies and editorial decisions

... AND PRACTICAL
- Page-turns, fold-out pages, and cues where you need them
- A well-presented layout and a user-friendly format
- Excellent print quality
- Superior paper and binding

SKU: HL.49016185

ISBN 9790001145411. UPC: 884088202507. 9.0x12.0x0.141 inches.

As a counterpart to theOrgan Symphony No. 1 Pater Noster (ED 9937), the Organ Symphony No. 2 offers softer and more mysterious (Marian) sound worlds, sketching stages of Mary's life: an adoring Salve Regina grows from the mystic source, followed by Berceuse pour Marie as a lullaby of the Christmas events. The third movement Mater Dolorosa falls back on the well-known Gregorian sequence Stabat Mater, taking Mary's pain at the cross as its central theme. The finale treats the Ave Maris Stella in a crescendo from pp to ff in a positive and solemn manner, in memory of Mary's assumption. It is advisable to use an organ with at least three manuals.

SKU: SU.80101521

A five movement organ symphony: Impressions of Australia, Mind Music, Quondam, Before the Close, and Fantasy FinitoOrgan Duration: 33’ Composed: 2007/08 Published by: Zimbel Press.

SKU: SU.80101404

Organ Symphony No. 2 (2017) was written for and is dedicated to German organist Philip Hartmann. In all of my works that employ larger-scale forms (not just organ compositions), I am continually looking for different ways of providing the form and structure. My first organ symphony (2013) comprised three larger movements that charted a progression from dark to light. By contrast, this second organ symphony comprises 12 shorter movements that together build a larger structure out of varied emotional states. Although the movements are different in character, there are connections of harmony and motive across them. One goal behind this work is that it be suitable for effective performance on almost any organ, small or large. Most organ symphonies require a large instrument. By contrast, this piece can be played effectively on even a small organ with a limited number of stops (even a one manual organ with an octave pedal board). It can also be very effective on a large symphonic organ with many different colors and a huge tutti. Registration is left to the performer's discretion, and the organist is strongly encouraged to use the full extent of whatever resources are available. Instrumentation: Organ Duration: 34' Composed: 2017 Published by: Zimbel Press.

SKU: CA.1817800

ISBN 9790007187217. Language: all languages.

Widor's early organ symphonies op. 13 have a quite special character because of their suite-like structure. The six-movement Symphony II also combines different types of movement in an unusual way; for example, it includes a Praeludium Circulare, which explores all the twelve keys, a Salve Regina based on the Gregorian antiphon of the same name, and a grand Toccata as the Finale, an interesting precursor of the famous Toccata from the 5th Symphony. The Carus edition is based on the Paris edition of 1928/29, the last one to be published during Widor's lifetime. The corrections which the composer made after the publication of the 1928-29 edition have also been taken into consideration. As well as this, earlier editions have been consulted for comparison to clarify individual variant readings. Editorial suggestions on the performance of individual passages complete the new edition. Great organ works: Series A: - Symphony II op. 13 no. 2 - Symphony IV op. 13 no. 4 - Symphony V op. 42 no. 1 - Symphony VI op. 42 no. 2 - Symphony Romane op. 73 in preparation Subscription offer for Series A:20% discount off the retail price.

SKU: CA.1817900

ISBN 9790007188979. Language: all languages.

It is no coincidence that the Toccata from Widor's Vth Organ Symphony is his best-known composition. Who can resist its thrilling verve? Not only this, but also the other movements of this unique work of the organ repertoire win you over immediately - the first with its march-like, majestic, much-varied theme; the second with its wonderfully elegiac oboe melody, flowing along over staccato sixteenth notes; and the two slow movements, of which the melancholy, almost static Adagio forms the greatest contrast imaginable to the following triumphal Toccata. The Carus Urtext edition is based on the Paris edition of 1928/29, the last one to be published during Widor's lifetime. The corrections which the composer made after the publication of this edition have also been taken into consideration. As well as this, earlier editions have been consulted for comparison to clarify individual variant readings. Editorial suggestions on the performance of individual passages complete the new edition. Great organ works: Series A: - Symphony II op. 13 no. 2 - Symphony IV op. 13 no. 4 - Symphony V op. 42 no. 1 - Symphony VI op. 42 no. 2 - Symphony Romane op. 73 in preparation Subscription offer for Series A: 20% discount off the retail price.

SKU: HL.49018082

ISBN 9790001168809. UPC: 884088535094. 9.0x12.0x0.2 inches.

Each organ symphony by Enjott Schneider has its own colour and its own theme. Organ Symphony No. 7 'Von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit' is dominated by the theme of 'time': from the flowing rumbling of time in ancient beginnings ('In principio' - 1st movement) and periodic to the intellectually incomprehensible revolving ('Zeit der Sterne' - 2nd movement). After the third movement ('Zeit des Menschen'), a valse triste, infused by an almost humorous hectic atmosphere, the symphony ends with a kind of 'Amen!' in the fourth movement. Schneider sums it up: 'It is good as it is, we do not understand the course of time anyway.' With regard to style, his composition is based on elements of minimal music which he combines with the tradition of the European organ composition; it is at the same time a testimony to the composer's flexibility and versatility.

SKU: HL.49018084

ISBN 9790001168687. UPC: 884088531089. 9.0x12.0x0.218 inches.

One of the first things that comes to one's mind when reading the title of Organ Symphony No. 9 'Pathetique' by Enjott Schneider is another work with this epithet: Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. And that is no coincidence: The composer regards his organ work as an homage to this 'elder sister'. While Tchaikovsky, in a secret programme, made out his own life to be a struggle and long ordeal to the point of his suspected suicide, Enjott Schneider presents those hours as the ultimate tale of woe in which Jesus had well and truly become human, fatefully bearing the pain and misery of all people. 'Gethsemane', 'Geiselung: Ecce homo', 'Golgatha' and 'Grablegung': Maria Magdalena' are the names of the stages and movements. The Greek word 'pathos' means 'strong emotion, feeling, passion or suffering' - in Schneider's Organ Symphony No. 9, this comes true, musically, in his inner conflict, struggle, wrestling with his fate, cruelty of the crucifixion and deathly silence.

SKU: HL.49018083

ISBN 9790001168670. 9.0x12.0x0.24 inches.

In his Organ Symphony No. 8 'In Memoriam', following an idea of the cathedral organist Silvius von Kessel from Erfurt (and dedicatee of the work), Enjott Schneider carries on where Anton Bruckner left off, processes themes from the latter's Symphony No. 8 variatively and contrasts it to 'Haus-Choral des Erfurter Doms', 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme'. Bruckner's material is used as a starting point and further developed by Schneider in four movements: typically enough, the initial movement is called 'Metamorphosen' before an almost eerie atmosphere is created in a 'Scherzo sinistro'. The twelve-note series (in the third movement), embedded in a transcendental mood, eventually develops into the chorale which, now as main theme of the finale, amalgamates with Bruckner's stylistic moments and leads to a magnificent end - an exciting and rousing piece of music.

SKU: HL.49016184

ISBN 9790001140782. UPC: 884088202484. 9.0x12.0x0.145 inches.

Schneider's Organ Symphony No. 1 is in the tradition of the French organ symphonies (Widor, Vierne, Durufle). With its general tendency from the desperate dark to the comforting bright, the symphony brings up the air of the praying and pleading of suffering people as a theme. The 'pater noster' as archetype of the prayer is cited in all movements.

SKU: HL.49017947

ISBN 9790001157933. 9.0x12.0x0.216 inches.

With his organ symphonies, the composer Enjott Schneider (born 1950) from Munich has been a profound sensation in recent years and seen world premieres at major European organ events. The Organ Symphony No. 6 'Te Deum' (premiered at Bruckner's St. Florian above Bruckner's tomb in 2008 and recorded there on CD) adopts the five-part structure and several motifs from Bruckner's 'Te Deum', thus becoming a forceful compact work pervaded by the Gotteslob. 1: 'Te Deum' is based on Bruckner's original figuration of fifths and eighths which is connected with the Latin Te Deum; 2: 'Te Ergo' is a 'preghiera' with pleading and praying gestures; 3: 'Aeterna fac' is an extremely virtuoso perpetuum mobile; 4: 'Salvum Fac' a basso ostinato and finally 5: 'In te, Domine speravi' a toccata which, after taking many detours, inevitably leads to the C major.

SKU: SU.80101405

Organ Symphony No. 3, Portals (2017) was written for organist Philip Hartmann in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Martin-Luther-Kirche in Ulm, Germany. Over the five entrances of the church appear five Biblical inscriptions. These scripture passages serve as the inspiration for the five contrasting movements of this work: 1) One Teacher (Matthew 23:8b); 2) With Thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4a); 3) Humble Yourselves (James 4:10); 4) Speak, and Do Not Be Silent (Acts 18:9c); 5) Sing Joyfully (Psalm 81:1) Instrumentation: Organ Duration: 24' Composed: 2017 Published by: Zimbel Press.

SKU: HL.14013003

ISBN 9780711934948. 11.75x8.25x0.06 inches.

Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki's career spans more than 40 years, dating from the post-Stalinist era of the mid 1950s and embracing a catalogue of more than 70 acknowledged works. It was not, however, until the phenomenal success of his third symphony, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs Op 36, which brought the composer world-wide renown through its numerous performances and recordings, that his music reached an extended audience outside his native Poland. Since then the directness and emotional impact of his music have established him as one of the major figures of contemporary music.

SKU: CA.1817700

ISBN 9790007171919. Language: all languages.

Widor's early organ symphonies op. 13 have a quite special character because of their suite-like structure. And so the 4th Symphony delightfully combines classical forms such as toccata and fugue with Romantic character pieces. It includes the well-known Andante cantabile, which is one of the composer's most beautiful slow movements. The Carus edition is based on the last edition published during Widor's lifetime, issued Paris 1929. Corrections made by the composer after the edition of 1929 was published have been taken into consideration. In addition, for purposes of clarification, earlier print runs were consulted. Editorial suggestions on the performance of individual passages complete the edition.