No such thing as a klezmer organ (4 cents)

This is what I learned at Tuesday's lunchtime concert at Grace Episcopal Church. It was called "Music for Christmas and Epiphany" and consisted of organ solo renditions of various carols and other seasonal songs. I was relatively unexcited about most of the songs and most of the arrangements. Several seemed to consist of too many notes and too much noise. A simple melody line would have been preferable.

But I did like (a lot)a piece called Weinachten (Christmases in German), composed by Max Reger. It is a soulful piece meant to explore the relationship between World War I (it was written in 1914) and the prince of piece. Very moving.

Most of the pieces were hymns, with words (and piano music) found in the hymnals. Did you know that the fourth verse of O, Come, All Ye Faithful contains: "Lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb"? What does that mean?

The organist, Lawrence Young is organist for a Presbyterian church in Annandale. He wrote the program notes. I think that his view of organ music and mine differ quite a bit. He called one of the pieces a "rollicking bit of fun". Can you imagine an organ that rollicks?

We'll see what next week brings.