Description
Though preludes/postludes are not the most important task of the liturgical organist, organists never can have too many preludes built upon the tunes in the hymnal. The main task of the organist is to lead the people in the singing of the liturgy and the hymns. It has become common practice among many to simply play the hymnal harmonization through once as an introduction. For unfamiliar hymns, this can work well, especially if the melody is soloed out. However, if the congregation already knows the hymn, then a short introduction (intonation) will suffice. One also need not use the hymnal harmonization for every stanza of every hymn. Thus, it has become a good practice within the Church to use alternate harmonizations (see T. Tertius Noble, among many others). Unless one’s congregation is used to them, these alternate harmonizations should be used sparingly on familiar hymns only. If the congregation has a choir, it might be wise to let them sing in practice beforehand the hymn with the alternate harmonization.
This collection of Preludes, Intonations, and Alternate Harmonizations is provided for the Church’s use. Purchasing congregations have the right to make copies for the organist(s). Also, there has been debate about whether one legally can copy page turns. For this collection feel free to make page turn copies!
Contents
- ADESTE FIDELES
- AUS TIEFER NOT
- BACHOFEN
- DUKE STREET
- GAUDEAMUS PARITER
- JESIA
- DEM PROPHETEN (TRIPTYCH)
- PICARDY
- SUSSEX CAROL
- CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
- EASTER HYMN
- LASST UNS ERFREUEN (D MAJOR)
- LASST UNS ERFREUEN (E-FLAT MAJOR)
- LOBT GOTT DEN HERREN, IHR
- NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND
- O DAS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (KÖNIG)
- SLANE
- VOM HIMMEL HOCH
- AURELIA
- CORONATION
- DIVINUM MYSTERIUM
- EASTER HYMN
- EIN FESTE BURG (I)
- EIN FESTE BURG (II – STANZA 3)
- GROSSER GOTT
- KING’S WESTON
- MENDELSSOHN
- NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND
- SLANE
