This meditation on the beloved Advent hymn Veni Emmanuel features a calming refrain which alternates with the phrases of the hymn. All the notes in the accompaniment parts are based on the melody of the hymn. The piece explores both E minor and G minor keys before returning to E minor again. The tune migrates from one hand to another for the second verse. It will be a very effective piece for Advent liturgy and/or recital programs whenever contemplative music is desired.

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/meditation-on-veni-emmanuel-op-170-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22384089?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/meditation-on-veni-emmanuel-op-170-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1229230/Product.aspx 

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Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2pXxZgiFPMKiqBRYi9rSLT?si=Xe1nTroTSmOGPtv8bP8MSw​

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates it! In this festive processional on the beloved hymn tune Nun danket alle Gott (Now Thank We All Our God), energetic refrain alternates with the phrases of the hymn. Colourful harmony, interesting modulations and optimistic nature of the piece will make it very effective for liturgical and concert use. Dedicated to Carson Cooman.

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/processional-on-nun-danket-alle-gott-op-164-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22382223?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/processional-on-nun-danket-alle-gott-op-164-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1227309/Product.aspx

The video of entire Nun danket alle Gott Suite is available here: https://youtu.be/9LIQ6GZc0ig

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/nun-danket-alle-gott-suite-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22382551?aff_id=454957

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/VPinkevicius

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg​

Today I'd like to share with you this wonderful ornamented chorale prelude In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 197 by Dieterich Buxtehude. Cornet 8 is one of my favourite stops on this organ at Vilnius University St John's church. Hope you will enjoy it!

Score: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/buxtehude-organ-works-volume-iv-digital-sheet-music/19378329?aff_id=454957

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If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

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Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pXxZgiFPMKiqBRYi9rSLT?si=Xe1nTroTSmOGPtv8bP8MSw

In this meditation based on the hymn Thomas Tallis' tune "I heard the Voice of Jesus Say" the melody is played first in the right hand and then in the left hand parts. A simple two measure long refrain connects hymn phrases. This piece will be suitable for any contemplative occasion, such as Communion, Offertory, Vespers, funerals or recital. Dedicated in memory of Bob Anderson.

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/meditation-on-i-heard-the-voice-of-jesus-say-op-160-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22377119?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/meditation-on-i-heard-the-voice-of-jesus-say-op-160-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1224044/Product.aspx

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/VPinkevicius

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg

This meditation is written in the key of Eb major with the middle section moving to G major. The swinging 3/4 meter adds to the dreaminess of this piece. It will be suitable for Communion, Offertory, Weddings, and any other contemplative occasions. Dedicated to Rien Schalkwijk. I recorded it on Hauptwerk Nancy sample set.

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/dreamy-meditation-op-158-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22375907?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/dreamy-meditation-op-158-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1222853/Product.aspx

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/ausramotuzaite

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/2pXxZgiFPMKiqBRYi9rSLT?si=Xe1nTroTSmOGPtv8bP8MSw

​Today I'd like to share with you my rendition of Prelude in D Minor on the hymn "Gorzkie żale" (Bitter Sorrows) by Polish Romantic composer Stanislaw Moniuszko (1819-1872) which I recorded during a recital at Cathedral in Torun, Poland. The recital was part of ProBaltica International Festival on May 4, 2019 which I played both magnificent organs of the cathedral. Hope you will enjoy it!

Score: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/preludi-2-sheet-music/21129000

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If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

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My Hauptwerk setup: https://www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! https://organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg

If you're looking for some meditative music suitable for funerals, All Soul's Day and other memorial occasions, I hope you will enjoy this Meditation on Gregorian chant tune Requiem Aeternam. In this colourful piece, sections of the chant alternate with a refrain, reminding of flowing water. I recorded it during my recital at Vilnius St Casimir's church on October 30, 2022. Thanks to Renata Marcinkute Lesieur for invitation!

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/meditation-on-requiem-aeternam-op-155-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22366743?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/meditation-on-requiem-aeternam-op-155-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1215082/Product.aspx

More information about the Oberlinger organ: vargonai.lt/vargonai_vilnius_kazimiero.htm

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/VPinkevicius

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg

Today I'd like to share with you my rendition of Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54 No. 6 by Louis Vierne. I recorded it during the recital at Vilnius St Casimir's church on October 30 2022. Thanks to Renata Marcinkute Lesieur for invitation to play! Hope you will enjoy it!

Score with fingering and pedaling: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/carillon-of-westminster-by-louis-vierne?_pos=4&_sid=86ea43698&_ss=r

More information about the Oberlinger organ: vargonai.lt/vargonai_vilnius_kazimiero.htm

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/VPinkevicius

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg

I first improvised this piece based on Gregorian chant "In Paradisum" during funeral procession of Laimutis Telksnys earlier this autumn. Later I made a new composition using a similar idea. Hope you will enjoy it!

Score: www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/in-paradisum-op-168-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius-digital-sheet-music/22382908?aff_id=454957

Score: secrets-of-organ-playing.myshopify.com/products/in-paradisum-op-168-organ-solo-by-vidas-pinkevicius?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Score: www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/1228103/Product.aspx?affiliate=65560

We support Ukraine: www.blue-yellow.lt/en

If you like what I do, you can buy me some coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/organduo

PayPal: PayPal.Me/VPinkevicius

My Hauptwerk setup: www.organduo.lt/tools.html

Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: www.organduo.lt/total-organist

Secrets of Organ Playing - When You Practice, Miracles Happen! organduo.lt

​Listen to my organ playing on Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/0ckKPIvTWucoN3CZwGodCO?si=YWy7_0HqRvaZwBcovL-RKg #organ #orgel #orgue

Vidas: Hello and welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast!

Ausra: This is a show dedicated to helping you become a better organist.

V: We’re your hosts Vidas Pinkevicius...

A: ...and Ausra Motuzaite-Pinkeviciene.

V: We have over 25 years of experience of playing the organ

A: ...and we’ve been teaching thousands of organists online from 89 countries since 2011.

V: So now let’s jump in and get started with the podcast for today.

A: We hope you’ll enjoy it!

V:  Hi guys!  This is Vidas.

A:   And Ausra.

V:  Let’s start episode 697 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast.  Today, we’d like to talk about how to teach in an organ studio where one student is playing with one finger only, and another rather well.  Ausra, do you know what I’m talking about?

A:  Yes, I think you are talking about experience working with our students in our Unda Maris Studio.

V:  Right.  Over the years, we had very varied levels of skills in our studio students.  So it might be, let’s say, very advanced student who can play almost concert level repertoire, or another student could be, let’s say, just beginner.  And not only beginner, but barely can read music at all.  Without any keyboard experience.  What are some other examples, Ausra?

A:  Some of them actually graduated from the musical school, so have great abilities, but some of them started to learn music as children, and some haven’t had any musical background, and even don’t read music very well.

V:  The challenge, of course, is not picking the right repertoire for each of them.  Every teacher understands that, right - you have to adjust your expectations and your repertoire to each student according to their level and maybe even their taste, too.  And we are doing that every year.  What is different for us is because we are organizing a joint group recital at the end of school year, and in this recital we have to show results.  So it’s easy to show results with an advanced student who can almost play concert repertoire rather well, but with beginners it’s already complicated, right, Ausra?

A:  Yes it’s quite complicated, you know.  But I think you do pretty well job selecting repertoire and teaching them, and final results usually is better than I expected.

V:  Thank you, Ausra.  It’s not always easy, because you have to consider your audience also, when selecting repertoire for concert.  What kind of audience will come, and what kind of overall concert experience they will have.  So, yeah, we are constantly facing those challenges.  And in the past, we have been even charging people for concert tickets.  So these were paid events, and if you charge tickets, people expect high level.  But even now when we no longer have paid tickets during concerts at our church on the organ, it doesn’t mean we don’t strive for the highest possible level, right, Ausra?

A:  Sure.  We still do our best.

V:  Right.  So one of the ways to do that is to make sure students prepare well in advance, because sometimes they can play rather well during rehearsals, but they can freeze during live performance.

A:  Yes, and we had that in the past, more than once.

V:  I was surprised that people with music school experience in the past can actually freeze.  With beginners it’s understandable.  They lose their place in the score.  But it’s strange when somebody who has probably several years of experience in music schools can actually stop in the middle of their piece and not know what to do.

A:  Yes.  So overall it takes a lot of patience teaching people like that.  And I think it’s much, much harder than teaching professional students.  What do you think - would you agree with me?

V:  Definitely.  The best feeling I have with our studio is when I can already see or feel that this student is already swimming without my help.  And from that point onward, I can feel that they will prepare for their concert rather well.

A:  Yes, and yet another problem we encounter is that some of our students don’t have access, or regular access, to an instrument.  Don’t you agree?

V:  Yeah, yes.  They love the organ, but not everybody is fortunate to have an organ at home.  Very few people are.

A:  Or even a piano, or any type of keyboard.

V:  So in the past, we made some paper-based resources for them to tape and glue together, and they would have a life-sized organ manuals from paper, and organ pedals from paper, too.  Do you think that works?

A:  Yes, actually that helps for some people if they really did their homework.

V:  Because it’s tricky.  You have to imagine sounds in your head when you’re pressing paper keys.  And for us it’s easy.  We can actually practice without paper keyboards, we can practice on the table.  And we do that all the time in hotels when we’re traveling.  But for amateurs like that, they don’t have inner hearing developed, and they cannot hear what they are pressing right now.

A:  Yes.  Another challenge is how to manage time during the studio time.  Because the attendance is not required.  So sometimes we know in advance who will show up and sometimes we don’t.  We never know how many students will we have and how we will have to divide our time.  And since Vidas loves to talk, sometimes even maybe too much, sometimes we are short on time.  So then I just take the lead and say, “ok, now you play, now play.”  Less talk and let’s play.

V:  Yeah, it has to be a delicate balance between talking and letting others play because if you don’t say anything and just say “do it again, do it again, do it again,” it might work, but not always.  Sometimes you do need to explain things or demonstrate things.  And that means that student is standing or just watching you, not working.  The other thing is when you explain something about the organ and repeat old stories, and sometimes those stories might take too much time, too.  So I’m really glad, Ausra is joining me for a few years now as a teacher in Unda Maris Studio, and she can feel better this time that we have and can distribute that time among students more evenly.

A:  I simply, you know, look at the watch and count how many people who have played and how many still have to play.

V:  Again, another thing that is a challenge is when you have, let’s say too few students to come - like two or three.  Like three students and two teachers.  It’s almost like a private lesson.  Right, Ausra?

A:  Oh yes.  It’s so funny.

V:  It’s a weird feeling.  And then usually what we do is actually teach them, and we let them do their fullest work, but obviously they cannot play for two hours, right, three students, so they leave us time to practice and record.

A:  Yes, that’s a nice thing.  Not often happens, though.

V:  All right, so let’s recap.  If you’re facing this situation where students are varied level, you have to actually adjust to their level and pick pieces very appropriately to their skill level.  What else do you have to do, Ausra?

A:  Plan program and time accordingly.

V:  And I hope if you’re teaching somebody like we are, you can organize a group recital at the end of the year, or even at the end of the semester sometimes you can do that.  It’s a really great opportunity to show students the practical application of their work.  And they actually enjoy playing it in public, right?

A:  Yes, very much.  Because they can invite friends and family.

V:  Yes, so please send us more of your questions. We love helping you grow.  And remember, when you practice,

A:  Miracles happen.

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