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Hymn of the Day - #1
2014-10-21 - Playing and PiecesYears ago, when I worked at a major Epsicopal cathedral, I had the occasion to interview for an Assistant Organist.
Now, despite what you might think, I'm actually very "easy" to work with. Assuming that you have the basic skills and the right attitude, I'm more than willing to do some "on-the-job-teaching" to help you improve your level of musicianship.
I was looking for someone who had a good grasp as an organ performer, was a sensitive accompanist, and who brought the desire to improve one's musical and personal skills. All of these things can be developed. The one thing that I "demanded" was: EXCELLENT HYMN PLAYING!
You would be amazed, or perhaps not, how many very talented organists couldn't "keep the beat" in a simple hymn. I remember one applicant played the "Scherzo" from the Vierne 2nd Symphony and the "Final" from the Vierne 6th as his application pieces. He was an organist of great talent, although the pieces were still a LITTLE beyond him, he did very well.
"Wow!," I said. "That's AMAZING!" "BRAVO!" Now, let's look a few hymns...
BOOM! That was it! Ballgame over! He couldn't play 'em! NO concept of playing them! More importantly, no INTEREST in playing them!
So, I had no INTEREST in hiring him.
Hymn-playing is the backbone of what we do. To me, the way an organist plays hymns, DEFINES their qualities as an organist!
So, what's "good" hymn playing? Everyone's opinions will vary, but I think there are few basic things that MUST be present to be considered as "good." To me, these are:
1) A solid and stable tempo. (I don't mean "mechanical")
2) Playing in a way that "portrays" the text. (Playing should bring "sense" and "meaning" to the text)
3) Giving the singers time to breathe. (If YOU aren't singing as you play - START NOW!!!)
4) Choosing appropriate registrations. (Your selection of stops should "belong" with the words being sung)
5) Find the right pace. (This must depend on the organ, the acoustics, and the number of singers/congregation.)
Some people are "salty" hymn-players, who are always adding notes and harmony changes. Others are "salt-free" who never add anything. They use one registration from start to finish, and race (or plod) their way through. To my way of thinking, neither of these approaches are ideal. Too much is as bad as too little!
People tell me that I play hymns in an "Anglican-style," and they are right. This is the way I hear them, and the way I want them to sound. This is not only because of the places that I've worked in, but it's because it's the sound and style that "reaches" me.
Your ideal may be very different, and should be the way YOU feel it!
All this being said, the ONLY way to get good at hymn playing is to do it! Do you practice your hymns? Do you know the texts? Do you THINK about what you're doing, or do you just play it and get it over with, so you can play your postlude?
A few weeks ago, EdoL posted a splendid performance of Hubert Parry's monumental, "O praise ye the Lord." As always happens when we have a hymn post, MANY people comment on it, and ALL of them like the idea. Someone made the EXCELLENT suggestion of having a "Hymn-of-the-Day," and that idea was also very well received.
So, let's do that! Let's have a HYMN OF THE DAY category! It can be any hymn you like played the way YOU want to play it. It can be old or new, and from any tradition. I find this to be an exciting topic, and I can't wait to get this started!
I could do 50 hymns a day, and still not get enough! I hope that YOU will help ME by uploading hymns that you love - and as often as you like!
Comments
caper1
(2014-11-03) Log in to Reply
Thank you for your comments on hymn playing, which I agree is sometimes neglected by organists. It reminded me of an organist at a former church years ago who hated when the minister chose "gospel" type hymns. He would express his annoyance by playing them at about double the tempo anyone could sing. A pet peeve of mine is the organist who doesn't give the congregation time to breathe between verses. Again thanks.
Agnus_Dei
(2014-11-05) Log in to Reply
THANKS, caper1!
How RIGHT you are about breathing! I think that the organist MUST sing (at least in his mind) WHILE playing. If you do, you'll immediately judge the "spaces" correctly.
You know, I have to confess about "showing my annoyance" with certain hymns!
Years ago, when I worked in a pretty signifcant NYC Episcopal church where we had a mostly professional choir, we had a Sunday featuring all German romantic music. Even the hymns fit the style.
Well, the rector chaged the Sermon Hymn to "Amazing grace." Now, he never did this, but I guess he had a reason for doing so.
Anyway, yours truly was furious about it, and, decided to express myself. So, I played it as fast as you can imagine.
Needless to say, this was very unprofessional, and got me in some hot water. I jeopardized the job in order to show my displeasure. NOT a good thing!
ALL organists - young and old - don't EVER let your anger make you do someething like this! It will accomplish nothing - other than perhaps getting you fired!
Stand up for what you believe in an appropriate way, but ALWAYS live up to your standards by being professional and gracious!
David
How RIGHT you are about breathing! I think that the organist MUST sing (at least in his mind) WHILE playing. If you do, you'll immediately judge the "spaces" correctly.
You know, I have to confess about "showing my annoyance" with certain hymns!
Years ago, when I worked in a pretty signifcant NYC Episcopal church where we had a mostly professional choir, we had a Sunday featuring all German romantic music. Even the hymns fit the style.
Well, the rector chaged the Sermon Hymn to "Amazing grace." Now, he never did this, but I guess he had a reason for doing so.
Anyway, yours truly was furious about it, and, decided to express myself. So, I played it as fast as you can imagine.
Needless to say, this was very unprofessional, and got me in some hot water. I jeopardized the job in order to show my displeasure. NOT a good thing!
ALL organists - young and old - don't EVER let your anger make you do someething like this! It will accomplish nothing - other than perhaps getting you fired!
Stand up for what you believe in an appropriate way, but ALWAYS live up to your standards by being professional and gracious!
David
EdoL
(2014-10-27) Log in to Reply
Good to see you add a few more challenges to the already very inspiring concert hall, mr. Barde!
I like this idea very much, especially because there are so many nationalities in our community and so many interesting hymns to play and to discover.
Are you thinking of putting the uploads in a special hymn category or playlist?
A good initiative, which I intend to honour in the near future by uploading a British hymn on a Dutch melody played on a Dutch organ.
Glad to see you bringing your good ideas to the board. Many more to come hopefully!
Edo
I like this idea very much, especially because there are so many nationalities in our community and so many interesting hymns to play and to discover.
Are you thinking of putting the uploads in a special hymn category or playlist?
A good initiative, which I intend to honour in the near future by uploading a British hymn on a Dutch melody played on a Dutch organ.
Glad to see you bringing your good ideas to the board. Many more to come hopefully!
Edo
Agnus_Dei
(2014-11-05) Log in to Reply
Hi Edo!
I think your idea about a "special category" for the hymns is a good one. Let me talk to the management, and see what they think... ;-)
I'm grateful that you've started the ball rolling with your FINE "This joyful Eastertide," which was very well-played.
I'm going to start posting them, but I hope to not be the only one! I wouldn't mind playing 10 hymns per day, but I'd rather we SHARE in the project.
EVERYONE is encouraged to do a hymn. We are ALL "students" and there is nothing to feel frightened or embarassed about! :-)
I think your idea about a "special category" for the hymns is a good one. Let me talk to the management, and see what they think... ;-)
I'm grateful that you've started the ball rolling with your FINE "This joyful Eastertide," which was very well-played.
I'm going to start posting them, but I hope to not be the only one! I wouldn't mind playing 10 hymns per day, but I'd rather we SHARE in the project.
EVERYONE is encouraged to do a hymn. We are ALL "students" and there is nothing to feel frightened or embarassed about! :-)