A Non Musician Reacts to Famous Organ Music

Too often, when discussing classical music, we are subjected to expert opinions, from fellow performers, composers and critics. But as esteemed musicologist Christopher Small once said, “music is too important to be left to the musicians.”

What kind of insights and perspectives are we missing when we fail to listen to the insights of non-musicians? Is our ignorance one of the reasons that classical music fails to win the affection of the masses?

To remedy these concerns, I’ve asked my fiancee Kim, a non-musician, to offer the perspective that we rarely hear: the raw perspective, based on her immediate perceptions of famous pipe organ music.

Forget what institutions have told us, forget the old justifications of great pieces of music – and have a listen to what Kim has to share. Hers is just one opinion among many, but I hope it will be insightful and interesting.

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I do not own the rights to any of the performances shown in the video. Here are the links to the original videos here:

◊ Bach Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578:    • Bach - Fugue in G minor BWV 578  
◊ Dupre Fugue in G Minor, Op. 7 No. 3:    • Notre-Dame organ, Yves Castagnet play...  
◊ Widor Finale from Symphony 6:    • Widor: 6. Symphonie op. 42 Nr. 2 - V....  
◊ Purcell Voluntary for Double Organ:    • Purcell Voluntary in D Minor played b...  
◊ Reger Toccata in D Minor, Op. 59:    • Nigel Potts - Toccata & Fugue in D mi...  
◊ Langlais Fête:    • Féte by Jean Langlais. Performed by C...  
◊ Bach Fantasia G Major BWV 572 (recording 1):    • J.S. Bach - Fantasia in G major, BWV ...  
◊ Bach Fantasia G Major BWV 572 (recording 2):    • J.S. Bach - BWV 572 - Fantasia G-dur ...  
◊ Elgar Organ Sonata, Allegro Maestoso:    • Elgar - Organ Sonata, Op. 28  
◊ Ligeti Volumina:    • György Ligeti Volumina  
◊ Mendelssohn Organ Sonata 3, Andante Tranquillo:    • Organ Sonata No. 3, Op. 65 (Andante T...  
◊ Messiaen Transports de joie:    • Messiaen - L'Ascension, for solo organ  

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