DUBOIS: Offertoire & Communion, on Mason & Hamlin "Liszt" reed organ

An Offertoire and a Communion, from "Dix Pièces pour Orgue ou Piano-Pédalier" (1889) by Théodore Dubois (1837-1924), performed by Michael Hendron. The Ten Pieces are intended for two manuals, with music printed on two staves and thus well-suited to the reed organ. The Offertoire is the only piece in the set with an obligatory pedal part, supplied here by use of a Pedal Point mechanism (which holds down any notes in the lowest octave), controlled by a lever between the player's knees. The melody on the upper manual uses a 16' Clarinet and a beater-type Tremulant; the lower manual uses only the foundation 8' rank. The Communion is in G-flat major, and uses the Pedal Point at the very end. The instrument is a superb two-manual, foot-pumped Mason & Hamlin "Liszt" organ, made in Boston in the 1880s, restored over the last few years by its owner, a Pennsylvania organ-builder. Recorded 18 October 2009 in St. Mark's United Church of Christ, Lebanon, PA, in preparation for a recital sponsored by the Reed Organ Society.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Theodore Dubois
• Michael Hendron
• Mason & Hamlin
• reed organ

[lindeman1913]

Just noticed your deft use of the Prolongement ... does it cover the whole keyboard on this instrument, or only part of it?

[Mustel1887]

Hello Niels, the "Pedal Point" on this instrument only affects the lowest octave (C-C) of the lower manual. It is activated by pushing a lever between the player's knees to the left, and de-activated by pushing it to the right.

[lindeman1913]

A truly gorgeous piece, and so well matched to the instrument! those block chords are stinkers to read and to play for someone at my low level, so it's a delight to hear them negotiated with aplomb. Thank-you for posting the recording, and please carry on.

btw, have you come across J. R. Quignard? wrote with a thoughtful ear for both harmonium and organ, indicating both registrations.

[Mustel1887]

Thank you for your comments. Je ne connais pas la musique de Quignard, je vais devoir chercher!

[HD7100]

Your videos are just one of the many reasons I love youtube. I take it you are the restorer of your reed organs? I notice it just takes gentle pumping to maintain the reservoir. I have rebuilt a few myself. You are an excellent musician. Thanks for sharing this. Gary

[Mustel1887]

Gary, thank you very much for your kind comments. I have restored about two dozen American reed organs, but so far I've used only two of those for videos: the Mason & Hamlin melodeon (Opel) and the Wilcox & White parlor organ (Crist & Wels). Luckily I've met several people who do wonderful restorations and tuning; I prefer to focus on the music written for these instruments. Thanks again.

[denisbonenfant]

lovely....I love Dubois and your playing is simply inspiring...thank you for sharing...

[Musique3579]

That was just so beautiful and how I EVER wish I was able to have a Lizst Organ be able to fit where I live.

[Belgologies]

Une pièce magnifique sur un instrument qui l'est tout autant ! Congratulations for this nice moment ! (do you speak french or english in fact ?)

[gerardbedecarter]

A fascinating piece!

[lindeman1913]

Suspected as much, not least because I've recently met an electronic piano with the "third pedal", and realised how dangerous it can be. The Prolongement on the Lindeman looks like a draw-stop knob mounted vertically; you flick it forward to activate it, and there's a kick-flap to turn it off when you haven't time to reach for the knob.