Variations on the "Austrian Hymn"

Carl August Attrup (4 March 1848, Copenhagen - 5 October 1892, Copenhagen) was a Danish musician, who was originally a cellist. In 1867 he became a student at the then newly opened the Royal Danish Academy of music, and focused his attention on the organ . He was hired as organist in 1871 by Frederik's German Kirke and 1874 at Church of our Saviour, and became well-known as a performer through the Church concerts. He was also regarded as a significant composer and as a teacher. He composed several orchestral works, but most of his compositions are for the organ, and include several collections of studies, preludes and a small organ school.

"Variations on the 'Austrian Hymn'" are taken from the "International Collection of Nineteenth Century Hymn tune Preludes" published by McAfee in 1982. The piece includes the hymn, and then 3 variations.
I can't tell whether I like this piece or not. I found it very fussy, and although it IS definitely "organ-like", it still feels very "awkward" in a number of spots. The registrations given seem "odd", and I'm not sure how much of these are the composer's or the editor's. I just couldn't get this the way I wanted it, but it may still be of interest.

In this performance you are listening to the organ at the maximum distance from the instrument. The MIDI is attached. Please contact me if you would like a copy of this piece.