AGO Historical Organ Literature 3

Question 1

The 'Orgelbüchlein' (Little Organ Book) by J.S. Bach was intended primarily to serve which purpose?

Accepted Answer

To teach young organists how to develop chorale preludes and to practice pedal technique

Answer

Bach's title page states the Orgelbüchlein teaches an organist how to work out a chorale and provides instruction in pedal playing.

Question 2

César Franck's 'Pièce Héroïque' (1878) was composed for the inauguration of which instrument?

Accepted Answer

The Trocadéro organ at the 1878 Paris Exhibition

Answer

The Pièce Héroïque was composed for the inauguration of the Cavaillé-Coll organ at the Trocadéro Palace during the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition.

Question 3

The 'echo' technique in Baroque organ music typically involves which practice?

Accepted Answer

Repeating a phrase at a softer dynamic on a secondary manual to simulate a distant sound

Answer

The echo technique repeats a musical phrase at reduced volume on a secondary (echo) manual, creating the illusion of a distant echo.

Question 4

Which major work by Max Reger (1916) is scored for organ and is considered one of the largest organ compositions ever written?

Accepted Answer

Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue in E minor, Op. 127

Answer

Reger's Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue in E minor, Op. 127 (1913) is among his most monumental organ works, lasting over 30 minutes.

Question 5

The 'Versus' in Lutheran chorale-based organ music refers to which concept?

Accepted Answer

A verse or stanza of a chorale, each of which may receive a different musical setting

Answer

Each 'versus' corresponds to a stanza of a chorale hymn, and composers like Buxtehude and Pachelbel set each verse with different musical treatments.

(AGO) American Guild of Organists Certification Practice Test