3 ms·
Bach was a church organist, and improvisation absolutely hasn’t been lost in the church organ world. Basic improvisation is a skill expected of every organist:
by Doctor_Fegg 8y ago
Bach was a church organist, and improvisation absolutely hasn’t been lost in the church organ world. Basic improvisation is a skill expected of every organist: this morning I needed to “cover the action” when the offertory hymn didn’t last as long as the offertory itself. But in the hands of a master - an English cathedral organist, or a French titulaire, particularly Saint-Sulpice or Notre Dame - it’s high art in its own right.
- organsnyder 8y agoThe improvisation concerts at American Guild of Organists conventions are mind-blowing. Performers are given a tune and improvise a work (toccata, theme and variations, etc.) on the spot. Even knowing the tricks they're using—such as having a general outline mapped out ahead of time that can be used with any tune—I'm still in awe. I got pretty good at improvising (and sightreading) when I was the primary organist at my church. Not having much time to practice (young kids, a different full time job), I did what I had to to get by.