Historical Organ Literature Flashcards

Olivier Messiaen's 'La Nativité du Seigneur' (1935) introduced which compositional element that was novel in organ music at the time?

Answer: Modes of limited transposition and Hindu rhythmic patterns (talas)

Messiaen's nine meditations introduced his signature modes of limited transposition and non-retrogradable rhythms derived from ancient Hindu talas.

The 'Fantasia Chromatica' by Jan Sweelinck is named for its prominent use of which musical element?

Answer: A chromatic subject that descends by semitone through an octave

The Fantasia Chromatica is built on a chromatic subject that descends by half steps, creating intense harmonic tension and extensive modulation.

Which 20th-century French organist-composer wrote 'Symphonie-Passion' (1924), establishing the French symphonic organ tradition in the post-Romantic era?

Answer: Marcel Dupré

Marcel Dupré improvised the Symphonie-Passion at the 1921 Westminster Town Hall recital and notated it in 1924, becoming a landmark of French symphonic organ music.

The 'alternatim' practice in Renaissance and Baroque liturgical organ music refers to which convention?

Answer: Alternating verses of a hymn or mass movement between the organ and choir or singers

Alternatim practice involves alternating polyphonic liturgical verses between the organ and the choir (or plainchant singers), a common medieval and Renaissance convention.

Charles-Marie Widor's Toccata, the famous fifth movement of his Fifth Organ Symphony, is in which key?

Answer: F major

Widor's famous Toccata from the Fifth Symphony is in F major and is one of the most frequently performed organ pieces at weddings and celebrations.

The 'ricercar' of the Renaissance and early Baroque period is best described as which type of composition?

Answer: A serious imitative polyphonic work that served as a forerunner to the fugue

The ricercar is a serious, imitative composition for keyboard or ensemble that developed into the fugue, featuring thorough contrapuntal treatment of subjects.

Georg Friedrich Handel's organ concertos, published as Op. 4 and Op. 7, were written primarily to be performed in which context?

Answer: As interludes during performances of his oratorios in English theatres

Handel composed these organ concertos to perform himself between the acts of his oratorios presented at London theatres like Covent Garden.