Six Preludes for Christmas, Op. 12

Josef Leopold Zvonar (22 January 1824 – 23 November 1865) was a Czech composer, pedagogue, and big music critic. He was was born in Kublov, studied at the organ school in Prague with Pitsch, and worked as an assistant teacher and organist there; he was briefly the school's director. In 1860 he became director of Žofín Academy, a woman's music school. He died in Prague.

Some of his early music is set to German texts, but after 1848 he aligned himself with Czech nationalism. He may have taught Antonín Dvorák.

Zvonar composed overtures, chamber music, cantatas, an opera entitled Záboj, a requiem, and piano works, and his manuscripts are held at the National Museum in Prague. His songs were popular in his lifetime. However, he his best remembered as an educator.

His name was often published as Zwonar, or similarly, in his day.

We've already had some EXCELLENT uploads on this new and WONDERFUL sample set, but so far, I don't think we've had any "Christmas" music on it, so, here are some unusual works that demonstrate some of the unique sounds of the organ.

6 Předeher pro čas vánoční, Op.12 are available here: http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Zvonař,_Josef_Leopold

For some reason, there are only 5 uploaded, so, maybe the "6" is actually "5".

The 1st in B-flat, Allegro maestoso, shows the grand plenum of the Hoofdwerk. The 2nd in D, is truly delightful, and shows the Flutes 8',4',& 2' to lovely effect. The 3rd in F, Largo, shows the Principal and Flute of the Hoofdwerk. The 4th in A, Andante con motto, shows the amazing celestes (flute and string). There is NO tremulant used. Sounds like a Mendessohn "Song without words" to me. The 5th in G, Adagio, shows the Vox Humana of the Echo organ.

I played these "simply," to show the sounds of the organ, and to "recreate" the feel of a "village Christmas" with feelings of peace and serenity.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All!