Some Thoughts on Playing the Organ by Willem Tanke: CD Imaginary Day, track 13: Bagpipes, organ St. Willibrorduskerk, Berkel-Enschot

03/07/2015

CD Imaginary Day, track 13: Bagpipes, organ St. Willibrorduskerk, Berkel-Enschot

Bagpipes is cheerful from beginning to end. It begins with a canon between two voices, played on two manuals, using 4' flutes. The feet play a droning perfect fourth. Halfway the piece, the canon and drone are interrupted and the movements accelerates. Repetitive figures, with ascending chromatic alternations, establish a new tonal center. The main melody returns, quicker and more exalted than at the beginning. In the final section, both melody and accompaniment rise to the highest register, expressing a great joy.

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.