Church music

[franzliszt2]

Hey, I have just been offered a job for 1 week, and it is well paid so I have accepted.

I have to turn up at a church, and play for 5-10 from monday-friday. It will be early in the morning, and it is part of a thing where people turn up, listen to piano music played by me, and then sit in silence for 5 mins and listen to bible readings and then leave. The repertoire MUST be different everyday and must be very acceptable to the general public.

So.....any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I have some days sorted out in my mind....one day, Myra Hess Jesu, Joy of mans desiring and Busoni Ich Ruf zu dir hirr

another day....Christopher le fleming sheep may safely graze (By Bach)

Now I am stuck....I am thinking of maybe Schubert impromtu's in Eb and Gb.

For the last one, I may do Chopin 3rd ballade....or is that maybe to heavy for this sort of event?

Im not sure what to do, my back up plan is just to play preludes and fugues by Bach or Chopin nocturnes. Something a little off the beat and track would be nice though, just to try and intoduce some music to people.

The piano is apparently very nice  So all the repertoire I mentioned will work very well.

[gerryjay]

dear liszt:
amazing situation. i like those different tasks, provided that you have a proper condition.
about the repertory, the first thing that comes is bach, of course. not necessarily all from wtc, but that's a personal choice. one step to the left, there are many baroque composers that would sound nice in a church: buxtehude, handel...well, most of the germans.

outside that, i think calm and serene pieces are the spot. early morning, people that are barely awake, that will go to work...difficult to find place for long pieces, and for any real pathos. so, i think that a ballad or any work like that is not the best choice.

something i'd be tempted to play would be a regard by messiaen.

best!

[kitty on the keys]

Mendelssohn---Songs Withoutwords
Chopin----Nocturnes and Preludes
Grieg---Lyric Pieces
Debussy---Preludes, Arabesque 1, Homage a Rameau,
Melodious Pieces---Books 2/3  pub. Alfred
Satie---Gymnopedie

Have fun!!!

Kittyon the keys

[quantum]

Can you try to find the exact readings being used?  This should give you a basis for ideas.  If there are psalms being read, you could find some musical settings for those.  If you are good at improvising, sometimes doing an improv on a related hymn or chant tune would connect the music to the scripture selections - this is very common for church musicians.  Many of Bach's chorale preludes were based on common hymn tunes and used for this very purpose. 

I agree that some Messiaen selections would be quite appropriate. 


The 3rd Ballade would probably be better suited to a postlude, but considering what you hear in some churches, is by no means "too heavy". 
https://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SMqMF9dQ4A4

[gerryjay]

The 3rd Ballade would probably be better suited to a postlude, but considering what you hear in some churches, is by no means "too heavy". 
https://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=SMqMF9dQ4A4

amazing!



it makes me think about an old simpsons episode, where bart replaces the church organist scores, using in-a-gadda-da-vida i think...when the solo starts, it cuts and comes back with the following advice: "19 minutes later".

best!

[rafant]

From the point of view of a christian man:
i) Church is not a concert hall at all. Prefer sacred works, created purposedly for God.
ii) Few in a congregation can distinguish between sacred music and salon music, but God certainly can.
iii) Be humble: One goes to church to adore to God, not to applaud a pianist.
iv) There is no place for own vanity. In church God is all, and God doesn't share his glory with anybody.
v) Maybe is difficult for a non christian, but when you play, play for God, not for the congregation, therefore play your best.

PD: Ave Maria (Bach's, Schubert's...) is suitable for catholic churches, not for lutherans, baptists, methodists, etc.

[point of grace]

Grieg op. 12
chopin some preludes
liszt consolations
mozart the elvira madigan theme
the adagios of many mozart piano sonatas too...

hope it helps

[cygnusdei]

It would have, two months ago ...