Franz Schmidt: Toccata in C, for organ

A somewhat neglected composer, though labouring rather better these days in recordings, in a rare outing on the organ!

Wayne Marshall at the organ of Coventry Cathedral

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Music

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• franz
• schmidt;
• toccata;
• organ;
• joseph
• marx;
• gustav
• mahler;
• richard
• strauss;
• the
• book
• with
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• seals;
• symphony

[pwoody1958]

This is really a great tempo for this piece, aided by the recording which captures so much of the detail and harmonic intricacy. I've got to hand it to anyone who can play this b**** so beautifully at such a happy clip. I've heard it murdered by famous organists at a much slower tempo.

[4candles]

@pwoody1958 I agree with you about the tempo - it just sounds sluggish if played much slower than this. I've never played it, but from what people are saying, this is a difficult piece to play! I wonder how it compares in difficulty to Duruflé's Toccata from the Op. 5 Suite - another great piece?

[codeman2008]

Are these all from the same Wayne Marshal record? Was it a record of great underplayed pieces?

[4candles]

The Hollins, Schmidt and Widor pieces are from the same album, yes, and are, for me, the best pieces on the album that people will not necessarily have heard (certainly the first two pieces anyway). The piece I uploaded by Naji Hakim is from a different album.

Marshall gets a hard rap sometimes for his technique, but I like the majority of what I have heard of his.

[238julia1]

@timmeh1507

An awful tempo played by Martin Haselböck, Vienna! More speed, more drive - like a walking bass in jazz.

Incroyable!

[irkibby]

Oh, I need to go hear this organ again soonish!

[timmeh1507]

I take my hat off to anyone who can play this - it's impossible! - and especially at this speed it's impressive. But just a little fast I think.

[4candles]

I guess it's all about an individual's interpretation then!

Thanks.

[4candles]

Thanks for the info!

[4candles]

I guess it's personal preference as far as tempo goes. I suppose the idea of a toccata is to show off the technique of the performer. Here, the performer chooses to show off his technique at a faster tempo. In my opinion, this tempo enhances the atmosephere and drive of the piece, but that's just my personal opinion.

Thanks.