Some Thoughts on Playing the Organ by Willem Tanke: CD Imaginary Day, track 11: Jeux de fonds, Carillon and Bicycle Horn, organ Stevenskerk Nijmegen

01/07/2015

CD Imaginary Day, track 11: Jeux de fonds, Carillon and Bicycle Horn, organ Stevenskerk Nijmegen

Jeux de fonds, Carillon and Bicycle Horn refers to the French tradition in the seventeenth and eighteenth century of naming organ pieces after their registration. The classical "jeux de fonds" (foundation stops) and the carillon are combined with a small horn, to be attached to a bicycle's steering wheel. This horn produces a interval of a major second corresponding to the A-flat and B-flat of the organ in Nijmegen. Because of this, F minor is the tonality of the piece. At the end, the left hand rubs a stick gently against a bottle, the glassy sound breaking the carillon tremolo. A fortissimo drum blow, also used in tracks 17 and 20, finishes the piece.

About

As a classical organist I have been a prominent Messiaen and Reger interpreter since the '90s. Nowadays Bach interpretation is my main classical project. This is represented by my research "Dancing Bach on the organ". At the same time, as an improviser and a performing composer, I have been creating a new musical language which brings together musicians with avant-jazz, avant-pop, Western classical and traditional African and Asian backgrounds. I now relate this to my Bach interpretation.