Beautiful interruption in life, unplanned yet happened naturally, I can call it coincidence or a gift. I preferred to call it a gift. When I received a gift, I should express my gratitude. This blog post is my gratitude to a gift I received on Monday.
Bad Wimpfen
On Monday I attended an organ introductory session in Bad Wimpfen by Christoph Bossert. I played a concert last year in this church, and I would like to know more about what kind of pieces can be played on this organ, also how can I mix the sounds. Apparently, there were also a group of international organists, this session was only a part of their organ week. I did not know about it, however, they invited me to join their organ exploring trip. I quickly rearranged my schedule and joined them.
Maihingen Abbey
A baroque organ by Martin Baumeister (1737). State of preservation is almost completely original. The sound and appearance are pleasing to the eyes and ears. It is as if the secret pipe organ built in the colourful coral reef of the underwater world. Filip Presseisen improvised on the organ and introduced the different sounds of the organ, the fascinating and mysterious sounds.
Neresheim Abbey
This organ built by Johann Nepomuk Holzhey (1797), the appearance of the organ matches perfectly to the design of the abbey. Martin Sturm improvised on the organ, from soft to grand, just wonderful sound. The fresco, and everywhere I looked at was beautiful art piece. The abbey is rebuilt by Johann Balthasar Neumann, the architect of Würzburger Residenz (UNESCO World Heritage).
Max Reger Symposium
The next day, in Giengen, Bossert performed Reger’s Symphonische Fantasie und Fuge, Op.57. We have topics like Reger’s music aesthetic appreciation and Reger’s opus 135b. What an emotional discussion I heard. The earlier unabridged version of opus 135b and the edited version of opus 135b by Reger himself. If the performer decided to play the earlier version, is that against Reger’s last will? I guess organists can discuss about this for years and come to no conclusion, I hope they will not ruin the friendship because of this.
The Lunch
After the symposium on Max Reger, we went for lunch. One of us suggested we should talk about everything but organ. We did not quite make it, still we made it as far as tofu, scrambled eggs with tomato and scallops corn. It was a pleasant time with new friends.
The Breakfast
I enjoyed my breakfast with fresh fruits in traditional setting.
Postlude
Back to Max Reger. My most favourite Reger’s organ work is the fantasy on the choral “Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme” for the Organ Op. 52, No. 2. I have not played this yet, because I would rather listen to it in a concert than to play it. And my utmost all-time favourite Reger’s music is this tender Child’s Prayer.
When the little children pray,
All the little stars listen …
Wenn die kleinen Kinder beten,
hören all die Sternlein zu,
und die Englein alle treten
leis’ herzu auf goldnem Schuh!
Lauschen auf des Kindes Worte,
schließen tief ins Herz sie ein,
tragen durch die Himmelspforte
sie zum lieben Gott hinein.
The Child’s Prayer/ Des Kindes Gebet
By Ludwig Rafael
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