Variations on "Der schöne Ostertag"

Variations on "Der schöne Ostertag"
from "Er ist erstanden, Halleluja!", Variations on three Easter Tunes for Orgelpositiv
By Lothar Graap
2019 Edition Dohr


Sheet music available here:
https://www.stretta-music.net/graap-he-is-risen-hallelujah-nr-691126.html

Played on the 1977 Hradetsky II/P 20-rank organ at the Chichester Chapel of Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California. Virtualized for Hauptwerk use by Evensong Music.

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For this sample set, I've made many adjustments! The organ temperament has been changed to Valotti-Young. Some changes to volume and voicing has been made as well. The room is too dry, but it also isn't very big. I've carefully added a slight reverb, in keeping with the size of the room that I've seen from photos.

A challenge was to not loose the speech clarity when adding artificial reverb--and artificial distance--from the organ. To do this, I combine the output of the (direct) original mix with a second mix, and I only apply the reverb to the second mix. This way, I add some warmth to the sound while retaining more of the chiff.

I first learned of the composer Lothar Graap here on the Contre Bombarde Concert Hall, when Carson Cooman was going through his music. Immediately, I fell in love with Graap's neo-baroque language and his efficient composing style. Thanks to Carson for introducing me to this enjoyable composer's music!