A very good friend of mine played her final exam in pipe organ. I went to her organ recital in the same old St. Peter Church that I once played my own exam, opposite to the same old University Library, in the same old Heidelberg.
Nice programme with organ pieces that I never heard, but one organ piece that I also played in my exam. It is one of the most beautiful organ composition to me – César Franck (1822 – 1890) Choral No. 3 in A Minor.
The turbulent motif at the beginning and this motif keep occurring through the pieces. What is enchanting beautiful is the soul comforting choral motif coming in the midst of the fast music notes. (The choral comes in the minute 2:25 for the first time, if you play the video at the end of this post.)
I became sad when I was listening to this. I still vividly remembered, right after exam, I was motivated to learn the choral No.1 and No.2 of César Franck. Extremely beautiful pieces. After three years, I have not learn any of them, and I was not sure anymore if I still can play the Choral in A Minor that I once played.
13 minutes organ piece, not the kind of piece to be in worship service or wedding or funeral. The organ that I practice on cannot make this symphony sound. As an employed musician, I need to make so many compromises until I almost forget why is the reason I learn music. Luckily I went to this exam that reminded me again.
Yes, I am busy, one worship service after one worship service, the unending wishes from different party to take care of. Yes, I should be thankful that I can keep playing. But I feel like I am running on a hamster wheel, keep running, but stay at the same place, not getting nearer to my development in music.
This piece is not less religious, so am I betraying my calling to serve with music when I learn pieces that have less place in the church? To serve is not equal to to be a people pleaser though. Is the church the only place to live out my faith? Is it only my selfish ambition to learn organ pieces like this?
After the exam, my organ professor that guided me for 4 years came and talked to me, “hey, Michelle, I remembered you play the A Minor in your exam!” I have to hide my tears, and my heart was bleeding.
There is a prayer corner in the church, I lighted up a candle to calm me down and to pray. I saw this postcard, the picture is a painting inside the St. Peter church. The words are nice wishes and blessings. After all, what am I to become, I just have to trust that He has His plan for me, and all will end up well.
Hüter, Hüter, ist die Nacht bald hin?
Note:
Die „Trois Chorals“ hat César Franck in seinem letztem Lebensjahr (1890) vollendet. Sie stellen einen Höhepunkt der romantischen Orgelmusik dar. Franck hat in seinen Orgelwerken eine perfekte Synthese zwischen orchestraler Denkweise und einem einerseits klassischen, andererseits durch Franz Liszt beeinflussten neuen Verständnis der Orgel gefunden. Seine Werke sind nicht zuletzt durch die Beziehung zum Orgelbauer Aristide Cavaillé-Coll inspiriert.
César Franck completed the “Trois Chorals” in the latter year of his life (1890). They represent a high point of romantic organ music. In his organ works, Franck found a perfect synthesis between orchestral thinking and a new understanding of the organ influenced on the one hand by classical music and on the other by Franz Liszt. His works are inspired not least by his relationship with the organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll.
Text: Michelle Wong
Taken from the programme note of my organ recital in Church of the Holy Spirit Heidelberg
Wednesday, 6th June 2018
Luckily I have a recording of this organ recital, if you are interested to listen to it, just click play. Enjoy the music!