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Friday Music Suggestions! 6/13/14
11 years ago
General
Hey gang! Thanks to all the new watchers, as this group would simply not exist without your passion for classical music! I thought I would use this opportunity to make Fridays a "music suggestion" day, where I post a link and a little blurb about one of my favorite classical works. In addition, I'd love to hear your comments about pieces that sound similar!! As always, you can post your favorite suggestions to the front page with a shout! (This is a great way to spotlight multiple styles of classical music for those who may be new to the fandom!) With all that being said, I'll go ahead and talk about one of my favorite pieces!
How many of you are familiar with Joseph Jongen?
Jongen was a Belgian composer, accomplished organist, and a music teacher! He lived from 1873-1953 and during his lifetime he composed 241 opuses! (Although he was said to have destroyed a number of these works) One of his most impressive works is the Symphonie Concertante which he composed in 1926 for Rodman Wanamaker, of the Wanamaker organ company. The Wanamaker organ is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, and Jongen composed the Symphonie Concertante for the organ's debut performance in Philadelphia, at the Wanamaker department store. Unfortunately, Rodman Wanamaker died in 1928 before Jongen had a chance to perform his symphony for the first time, and the piece was shelved for years. In 2008, the Symphonie Concertante was finally performed for the first time with the Wanamaker organ and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The first movement is by far my favorite of the four. I hope you all enjoy this piece as much as I do!
Click Here for the Symphonie Concertante - I. Allegro, Molto Moderato
Quick video of the Wanamaker Organ in action!
Joseph Jongen WIKI
Jongen's Symphonie Concertante and Franck's Fantasie in A; Pastorale on AMAZON
-Svelto 
I have heard a couple of his pieces before and so his name was not unfamiliar to me. But I had not heard this work. Thank you so much for sharing it! Brilliant and immensely satisfying!
Dominus tecum
Both Guilmant and Widor also wrote some amazing works for Organ and Orchestra (Widor's 3rd Symphony for Organ and Orchestra is particularly fantastic). Another true gem is Jan Hanus's Symphony Concertante for Organ, Harp, Timpani and Strings, op. 31 (http://youtu.be/pVRDkOy48dw).
Dominus tecum
The two pieces by Kabelac on the disc are also superb (Mystery of Time in particular is a favorite of mine).
Dominus tecum