The Regent Classic Organ Music Tutorial Series launched in 2016. During this first year we picked some of our own favourite organ pieces to demonstrate in a series of videos. Jonathan plays on a bespoke private client organ that has 84 speaking stops. It is a 3 manual instrument but with a floating solo division.
See the Organ Music Tutorial Series overview for links to more organ videos and information about them. There you will also be able to read more about Jonathan Kingston and the organs being played in this series.
Buxtehude was one of the greatest baroque organ composers
It is difficult when listening to the great organ music of the Baroque Era not to think that this was a time when the style of music and resources of the organ were most perfectly matched. Undoubtedly as large organs in that day required many men to pump the air they were not played much outside the church service schedule.
So imagine the impact upon the average church goer this sound must have made. And of course unless they were wealthy and attending formal orchestral concerts this will have been the only time they heard anything like the power and majesty of sound. No radio or records in those days!
Buxtehude was without doubt the greatest baroque organ composer and performer until J S Bach came along. Bach is perhaps inevitably held in higher regard but then he had the foundation laid by Buxtehude on which to build. The long journey that Bach made on foot to hear Buxtehude is testimony to the reputation he built in a time long before mass media was available for such purposes.
This prelude and fugue is in typical baroque style with a flamboyant prelude with a suitable grand conclusion followed by a charming and simply weaved fugue which leads into a much more elaborate and authoritative conclusion. Almost as if to say pay attention! this is a wonderful piece, and here is a magnificent full stop!
If you would like to watch the video tutorial right now – here it is:
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Regent Classic Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
