Aaaaaaalright, to experiment is a great way of learning, but let me just say that this was a bit extreme.
Ok, congregations know this hymn very well and sing it very strongly, but a complete dissonance (vaguely in a jazzy Messiaen's style) as you did is just too much.
Keep in mind that the duty of an organist accompaning a hymn is to sustain, encourage and help the congregation, not merely to show off cleverness... not to mention the liturgical matters involved.
Yes I don't think he actually played wrong notes but I thought the last verse was a bit odd especially to end such a great tune on 1 note and no chord.
I think he was experimenting. I would imagine the congregetion wondered where he was going with it.
This is perfectly normal to vary the harmonies on the last verse of a hymn. It makes things interesting.
It was possibly a bit over the top in places though.
Fundamentis 1 month ago
Oh boy
WWCons 2 months ago
I played this tonight at church. I think of the last verse in this everytime I play it. I wish I had the balls to do this though! :-)
jkenefick 4 months ago
That was... odd...
superoctave 5 months ago
@meteoricvincent
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
TheDesolateOne84 5 months ago
Can anyone tell me the name of the hymn?
meteoricvincent 6 months ago
Seems to me that the singing filled with a lot more energy and life during the last verse. Isn't that also part of the organist's duty?
mikedc2020 7 months ago
I really Liked this. Hymns can get rather monotonous, and this last verse really gave it some kick. Too bad there wasn't better reverb though.
Ignatius212 9 months ago
Aaaaaaalright, to experiment is a great way of learning, but let me just say that this was a bit extreme.
Ok, congregations know this hymn very well and sing it very strongly, but a complete dissonance (vaguely in a jazzy Messiaen's style) as you did is just too much.
Keep in mind that the duty of an organist accompaning a hymn is to sustain, encourage and help the congregation, not merely to show off cleverness... not to mention the liturgical matters involved.
ProfRikk 9 months ago
Yes I don't think he actually played wrong notes but I thought the last verse was a bit odd especially to end such a great tune on 1 note and no chord.
I think he was experimenting. I would imagine the congregetion wondered where he was going with it.
goodchappy 10 months ago