| Description: | In this upload, I present the theme and variations on a theme by Hans Leo Hassler from 1608, "Wo Gott zu Haus nit gibt sein Gunst," from Distler's collection.
Distler composed his "30 Pieces for Small Organ or Other Keyboard Instruments" to "encourage the re-institution of the organ as a household instrument." He intended them merely for contemplative purposes. They are NOT meant for church, concert, or large audiences of any kind. He wanted to inspire pleasure in music-making at home with these pieces.
For the 30 Pieces, Distler purposely avoided designations of technical style, as well as precise registration instructions (completely the opposite of his concert and church works). However, one with a good ear and knowledge will recognize his homage to pieces in traditional organistic forms. Registration wise, he instructs us not to use too many stops, and that the organ should be based on a 4' principal (or higher), avoiding the 8' and lower fundamentals. And the pedals, when available, are to be used completely in the style of the older "ad libitum" practice.
At the same time, he provides information about his "house organ," which is what he composed on, and which was built by Paul Ott-Goettingen in 1938. His house organ had significant capabilities! It had 15 different stops on two manuals and pedals, including 2 reeds at 16' and 8', principals of 4' and 2', and several aliquotes, tremulant, and full couplers.
I'm using Evensong's 1977 II/20 Hradetsky sample set. Its plenum is based on a 4' principal, and the disposition is quite similar to Distler's own house organ. |
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