Jerome shared that he has played the organ for the past 40 years for the church. He plays for 2 churches in France. He is paid a salary and on contract. His work entails playing 3 masses (sat sunset & 2 sunday morning). In France, it is just organist and a cantor. He also plays for weddings and funerals. In his lifetime he has played for more than 2, 200 weddings.
Improvisation...
Jerome showed how he does short 2 min organ improvisations at different points of the mass:
- In between the 1st and 2nd readings
- After the homily
- After mass as people are leaving
Some pieces recommended by Jerome:
- Dupre: 72 chorales
- Organ works of Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin,
- Chorale preludes of Brahms, Max Regar.
- Messien
Importance of Registrations:
- Verses: use manual 2, 4' & 8' stops
- Refrains: use manual 1, add mixture.
- Sanctus and Gloria can pull more stops.
Jerome adds:
- Organist must know how to transpose.
- Organist must practise every day not 15 mins before mass.
- To serve the liturgy; you must be perfect all the time.
- You are not king; you have to share in the church (with regard to working with difficult cantors and musicians of non-classical styles).
How weddings are done in France Catholic Churches:
The organist is paid for weddings, whether you choose to use the service of the organist!!!!
Couples can choose:
- No organ, use CD
- Use other musicians
- Organist used to accompany
- Couple request organist for special song ORGANIST PAID EXTRA for this service
As weddings is a special event for the couple, all request are entertained as much as possible. 99% will request for weddings songs; 1% will request organ music. Jerome cited one example of organ music wedding: March-in Toccata in F major by Buxtehude; exit with Toccata by Widor.
(Those are tough music!)
Funerals ALWAYS have organ music.
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