Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of
Classical and church organists
The majority of organists, amateur and professional, are principally involved in
In the English cathedral tradition the organist is now generally called "Director of Music", although their function is mainly in the training and direction of music rather than actual playing; there will generally be one or more assistant or sub-organists who play for most services and some recitals. Sometimes the organist will be assisted by an organ scholar. The post of organist at most of the great cathedrals includes recital work and choral training. Another function of an organist is often as teacher to future players. Few organists hold historically special positions such as Raùl Prieto Ramitez who is the Civic Organist of San Diego, the last true Civic Organist position still active in the US.[1]
Since the strengths and weaknesses of the organ are difficult to understand without a good deal of playing experience, most music composed for organ has been written by organists. Since the majority of pre-twentieth-century organs were installed in churches, classical organ literature was almost exclusively written for liturgical use.
Many composers, therefore, are equally known for their performance talents, some historical examples being Johann Sebastian Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Liszt, César Franck, Camille Saint-Saëns, Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne, Marcel Dupré and Maurice Duruflé, as well as improvisers such as Charles Tournemire, Pierre Cochereau, Pierre Pincemaille or Thierry Escaich. In Europe, the historical importance of churches as employers of musicians meant that many composers who now are very seldom remembered for their association with the organ were, nevertheless, engaged as professional organists: for example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Edward Elgar.
Ancient titles still in current use
In English churches, chapels and cathedrals the Organist may also be known as
- Magdalen College, Oxford – Organist and Informator Choristarum
- Savoy Chapel – Master of the Music
- York Minster – Master of the Music
- Westminster Cathedral – Master of Music
- Chichester Cathedral – Organist & Master of the Choristers
- Southwell Minster – Rector Chori
- Armagh Cathedral – Organist & Master of the Boys
- Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Newark-on-Trent– Master of the Song School
Theatre organists
The theatre organ has a separate repertoire and playing style, and in its heyday (during the first third of the twentieth century) there were considerable numbers of organists employed, many of whom played on Wurlitzer organs. A few carry on the tradition today.
Organists in popular music
There are many organists employed in the production of popular and jazz music. In the United States most of them play the Hammond organ, and many are classically trained, often in piano rather than organ. In England and Japan, one of the most popular series of instruments is the Yamaha Electone; while Electones of recent decades are more properly characterized as digital synthesizers rather than as organs, the player interface, and the skills and coordination required to play, mean that it may be effectively regarded by some, as an organ in these respects.
Organizations
The
See also
References
- ^ Jennifer Medina, "Year That Began Like a Dirge for San Diego's Organist Ends in Joy," New York Times 26 December 2011[1]
- ^ "The Incorporated Association of Organists (IAO)". iao.org.uk. IAO. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
Further reading
- Organ playing and teaching in the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada