Discover the Top 5 Easy German and French Romantic Organ Collections

The organ music of 19th century France and Germany forms a foundation of the entire Romantic organ repertoire. Every organist loves dramatic symphonic style of Franck, Widor, and Guilmant. Many are also fascinated by the chromatic expression of Reubke, Liszt, and Reger. The problem is that unless organists have very solid piano technique in addition to their organ training, the majority of the works are simply out of reach for them. So naturally many people wonder if there are some 19th century pieces which could be played easily, perhaps as a preparation for longer works. If you are wondering what music is appropriate for your level from the Romantic period, this article will show you 5 collections which you can choose to practice, play, perform, and enjoy.

1) 11 Chorale Preludes, Op 122 by Johannes Brahms. One of the most influential German late Romantic composers, J.Brahms did not write much for the organ. However, his Preludes and Fugues, and 11 Chorale Preludes on the most popular chorale tunes are included in the Romantic repertoire of every serious organist. These short chorale preludes are fairly easy to play and wonderful to listen to. Favorites among audiences of various generations, they can be successfully used in service playing and recitals alike.

2) Liturgical Organist, Op. 65 by Alexander Guilmant. The French composer A.Guilmant was largely responsible for making the organ widely known and popular among the general American audiences. This could be achieved because of his frequent concert tours across the Atlantic. Although his popular Organ Sonatas are much more advanced technically, this liturgical collection of short pieces might be used by the amateur organists. His musical style is conservatively Romantic, his forms are always clear, and his melodies are always vocal and beautiful.

3) Pieces in Different Styles by Alexander Guilmant. This collection, which consists of Books 1-6 of his "Pieces in Different Styles," contains 24 pieces, many for which Guilmant was well-known, written primarily for church services. This volume is copied directly from the 3rd Edition of 1892, and contains a wealth of historical information, making it an essential part of the organist's library. Includes pieces for meditative music, communion music, marches, scherzo etc. Perfect for any lover of Romantic organ music.

4) Pieces from the Organ School by Jacques Lemmens. The Belgian organist J.Lemmens is best remembered for having created the first modern and very influential method of legato organ playing. This book was highly regarded by all important French organ composers of the time, including Franck, Widor, Vierne, and many others. Besides numerous systematic exercises, in his method book Lemmens provides many wonderful short compositions that are highly practical for organists with modest technical abilities.

5) 30 Short Chorale Preludes, Op. 135a by Max Reger. The late German Romantic composer M.Reger, the creator of forbiddingly difficult organ music, could also take a different tack. His Thirty Little Chorale Preludes are intended for semi-professional organists always on the lookout for good organ chorales for use in Sunday church services. Reger selected the best-known tunes of his day from the Lutheran hymnal. Most of them are still in use today and form excellent additions to modern services.

Choose a few pieces from the above collections and start practicing them today. Do not forget to write in fingering and pedaling, take a slow tempo, work in fragments and correct your mistakes. After some time of such practice you will start to notice tremendous changes in your technique which will take your organ playing to the next level.

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