Das Orgeleinbuch

While Orgelbüchlein means, “Little Book for the Organ,” Orgeleinbuch means, “Book for the Little Organ.” Even though I enjoy playing a four-manual E. M. Skinner, I derive no less pleasure playing the historic, one-manual organs of Europe. Sometimes the keyboard offers only 45 notes. What does one play on these instruments? Since Vierne, reams of “manuals only” music has been written. Unfortunately little of it is effective, or even playable, on these historic instruments. I decided to fill this void, creating music not constrained by these limitations but inspired by them. Das Orgeleinbuch runs the gamut of styles – fugues, choralpreludes, Gregorian preludes, dances, etc. The sacred pieces explore all of the important Christian seasons, while the secular ones have no ecclesiastical implications. Certain pieces can be played on organs with divided keyboard. (Such organs offer very interesting registrational possibilities). Each of the pieces can be played on a 45-note keyboard without pedals