Gerald Moore (1899-1987)

Gerald Moore was an English pianist who worked as an accompanist for many of the great musicians and singers of the 20th century.  He accompanied such great musicians as Yehudi Menuhin, Pablo Casals, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, and Elizabeth Schwartzkopf.  Moore recorded most of the lieder of Franz Schubert, Hugo Wolf, and Richard Strauss, and is responsible for bringing the art of piano accompaniment to the highest level.  He is the author of “The Unashamed Accompanist,” “Am I too Loud,” and “Furthermoore.”

Here is an LP recording of “The Unashamed Accompanist” with Gerald Moore.  He describes how important the piano accompaniment is in a song, how it paints pictures, helps to set the mood, and the challenges the accompanist faces such as balance with the singer, and transposition (playing in a key other than what is written).  The recording is in two parts.   Gerald Moore describes everything in a way that people can understand (whether they are musicians or not) and he has a good sense of humor.

Dorado Schmidt (1957-)

Dorado Schmidt is a well known French composer, guitarist and violinist in gypsy jazz.  He is best known for his “Bossa Dorado,” “Natacha,” and “Tchwolo Swing” from the soundtrack to the French documentary film Latcho Drom (“Safe Journey”).

Here is a version of “Bossa Dorado” performed by the Rosenberg Trio.  The Rosenberg Trio was formed in 1989.  It is influenced by the gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.  Stochelo Rosenberg is the lead guitarist, Nous’che Rosenberg is the rhythm guitarist, and Nonnie Rosenberg is the bass player.  Enjoy.

King Henry the Eighth (1491-1547)

Henry the Eighth was the King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547.  Henry was a tyrant and he killed many people during his reign.

The King was trained in music from a young age and he loved music and poetry.  King Henry the Eighth played and composed music.  There are 34 compositions by Henry the Eighth that survive.  Two of his most famous compositions are “Helas Madam” (a song in French), and “Pastyme with Good Company”.

“Helas Madam”  is a folk song that is attributed to Henry the Eighth.  Here is a recording of the song performed by a singer with a lute and a group of other instruments.

“Pastyme with Good Company” is a favourite of choral groups and has been recorded by various ensembles with instruments such as recorders, lutes, hurdy-gurdies, shawms, percussion instruments, and flutes.  Here is a recording done by a group called the King’s Singers.

Cesar Franck (1822-1890)

Cesar Franck was a French composer, organist, and teacher born in Belgium.  Franck’s father wanted his son to have a career as a piano virtuoso so young Cesar studied piano at Liege Conservatory and Paris Conservatory and then did some performances as a pianist.  Cesar Franck wasn’t interested in a career as a piano virtuoso.  It was only later that he found his true calling through various appointments as an organist in Paris culminating in his position as organist at St. Clotilde.  Franck began teaching and in the early 1870s he was appointed professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory.

Franck is known today among music lovers for his Violin Sonata, Symphony in d minor, and dozen organ works (although he wrote over 100 small pieces for organ or harmonium).  Franck’s career as a musician didn’t blossom until late in his life.  His first compositions for organ were written in 1862.  During his lifetime, Franck was celebrated for his improvisations on the organ.

The Prelude, Fugue and Variation op.18 is part of the collection of six pieces for organ.  It was originally written for harmonium and piano, later arranged for pipe organ, and then arranged for solo piano.  Franck had a gift for composing simple but beautiful melodies.  In his organ music the pedal parts are very simple, but the beautiful melodies and harmonies more than make up for what little goes on in the pedal part.

Here is a a recording of Franck’s Prelude, Fugue and Variation op.18 for organ played by Conrad Kleiger.  I hope you enjoy this beautiful music.

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637/39 – 1707)Buxtehude was a Danish organist and composer. Buxtehude was well known during his lifetime as an organ virtuoso.He lived during the middle baroque period.  He composed pieces for organ and harpsichord, church music, and until the early twentieth century was known primarily as a keyboard composer.  Over 100 vocal compositions by Buxtehude survive.  His style of composition influenced many composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach (who travelled more than 400 kilometres to meet Buxtehude, hear some of his choral music, and hear him play the organ).

Ton Koopman (born in 1944) is a  Dutch organist, harpsichordist, and musicologist.  He is known around the world as one of the leading musicians in the early music movement.  He regularly performs around the world with his orchestra and choir, the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and choir, performs organ recitals (he came to Victoria BC in May of 2014 to perform an organ recital and I got to turn pages for him), and works with many of the world’s leading orchestras and ensembles.

Here is a recording of Ton Koopman playing the little Gig Fugue on a small chamber organ.  This piece is a delight to listen to and a lot of fun to play.  Enjoy!