Max Bruch - Suite No. 3 for Orchestra and Organ, Op. 88b (1904-15)

Max Bruch (6 January 1838 - 2 October 1920) was a German Romantic composer, teacher, and conductor who wrote over 200 works, including three violin concertos, the first of which has become a staple of the violin repertoire.
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Suite No. 3 for Orchestra and Organ, Op. 88b .also listed as Op. posth. (1904-1915)
1. Andante sostenuto (0:00)
2. Andante con moto - Allegro con fuoco (6:25)
3. Adagio ma non troppo (12:52)
4. Andante sostenuto (19:57)
Bayer Phiharmoniker Leverkusen conducted by Rainer Koch,
Paul Wißkirchen, organ
In 1904 Bruch traveled to Capri for health reasons. On Good Friday, a procession passed under his hotel window, prompting him to write the following lines to his family:
Nice weather. In the evening between 8-9 Procession in the narrow streets and alleys of Capri. In front a mourner with a big tuba, whereupon he blows some kind of signal...
Not bad at all; you could make a pretty good funeral march out of it! On it are several large crosses with flowers - one is carried by the hermit of Monte Tiberio. A few hundred children dressed in white with large lighted candles, each also holding a small black cross. They sing in unison a kind of lamentation...
In the procession a forbidding Corpus Christi was carried on a bier, behind it a canopy carried by four men, and the clergy -- then again on a bier, highly excited, a huge, splendidly decorated, quite horrible puppet, representing the Madonna, etc. As the procession reappeared from the night darkness of the small streets, crossed the piazza and then climbed the high steps to the church (a picturesque sight!), the loud and discordant screaming of a donkey suddenly mingled with the long drawn-out tones of the hundred-part lament. Immediately the serious and devout mood of the crowd changed and everyone laughed loudly and heartily. Immediately afterwards the "Holy of Holies" appeared, all heads were uncovered, the people knelt and crossed themselves, and followed the procession into the church, where the priests then carried out the "burial" with many ceremonies. The bells of Capri were silent on Char-Friday and Char-Saturday... Lights burned on all the windows while the procession passed; it was like an illumination at a celebration.
This experience inspired Bruch to write a new composition, Suite No. 3 for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 88b.
It is not a conventional organ concert in which the soloist shines with virtuoso ability. Rather, the organ serves as a tonal support and enrichment for the large orchestra, which is characterized by a powerful wind instrumentation.
The work has four movements: the outer movements take up the mourning signal of the procession. The Nocturno (3rd movement) stands out from the power of these movements with its lyrical wealth of melodies. Bruch began composing in 1904; it was not until 1909 that he completed it. At the request of two American sisters (Sutro sisters), Bruch reworked the work into a version for two pianos and orchestra.

[@Sathrandur]

As an organist, it was a delight to discover that the Concerto for Two Pianos exists in a form with organ, indeed it is even the original form! I would love to hear this work live in concert paired with Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony.

[@bowerdw]

This has to be an incredible experience when heard live.

[@user-hl5bn9ci8k]

❤❤❤

[@georgbrackel2411]

Eine phantastische Entdeckung! Da denkt man, man kennt schon alles und da taucht dieses imposante Werk auf, wie ein neuer Vulkan aus dem Meer. Großartig! Vielen Dank für die Präsentation.

[@francescoborghini7669]

Opera magnifica di un grandissimo musicista ingiustamente sottovalutato. Forse la grande difficoltà di brani come questo, che abbondano nella sua produzione, ha FI ito per allontanarlo dalle sale da concerto (lasciando emergere solo due o tre capolavori dal vasto corpus). Ma ancor più, credo, la caparbia indifferenza al lavoro dei suoi stretti contemporanei, ha finito col creare un'immagine di musicista testardamente ancorato a modelli del passato... Col senno di poi, quali altri artisti hanno guardato ai loro predecessori con altrettanta profondità e passione? La serenità del suo sguardo ad una tradizione ribollente come un oceano in tempesta è forse il tratto caratteristico più commovente di questa sua personalissima disposizione! Mille grazie dunque per aver condivisa questa interpretazione magistrale e per l'interessantissimo corredo di note, complimenti!

[@georgeowen2553]

This is an excellent performance. I sometimes worry these lesser-known pieces only ever get butchered by less-capable orchestras, but this piece shines. I had to listen to the first movement twice!

[@notaire2]

Wunderschöne und detaillierte Interpretation dieser spätromantischen und einzigartig komponierten Suite mit tiefen Tönen der genialen Orgel sowie gut vereinigten und perfekt entsprechenden Tönen der anderen Instrumente. Der intelligente und erfahrene Dirigent leitet das perfekt trainierte Orchester im relativ langsamen Tempo und mit künstlerisch kontrollierter Dynamik. Einfach wunderbar!

[@andrewleemus2425]

Bartje, your channel has quickly become one of my favorites, every piece uploaded always catches my eye immediately in the recommendations. That smug look on the face of your profile picture is as if you specifically know we are all looking for a beautiful piece just to sit and listen to for a few minutes. Edit: I wasn’t done, theres something about just a straight forward video, score, an insightful description that actually makes you feel like you have learned something new. Its truly amazing. In an age of monetization where everything is under a barrage of relentless advertisements I am always comforted knowing that theres always an escape to somewhere that uploads gems after gems. Your curation and consistency is truly a wonder and I applaud you for it.

[@jmbechtel]

My man, Bruch - you always impress. So beautifully written!

[@user-tc7mf4mj6w]

🇦🇷Potente obra! Muchas gracias por subirlo completo! Tienes, por favor, el Concierto de Gunter Raphael Op. 82, para flauta y orquesta? No lo consigo.

[@ezekielthiessen7080]

The third movement is incredibly beautiful.

[@ronalddejong.organistklave3507]

Dank voor deze post Nooit gehoord Prachtig werk !

[@marsaeolus9248]

Quelle œuvre majestueuse !

[@compizard3629]

Very nice!

[@bomcabedal]

Played very well! But also a piece that is fiendishly difficult to record, obviously. The balance in this recording is a bit off. The older Mikkelsen recording has that down better, but it's overall a lot worse. This piece would really benefit from a top-notch recording.

[@slothostpUL]

As always, great informative and entertaining insight. Plus, the music ain't bad, either.

[@randysteere7316]

This is beautiful. I'd like to learn the organ part to perform with orchestra. Where can I find the music??? I've searched all over and can't find it!

[@markokassenaar4387]

Opening bars are the same as the concerto for 2 pianos 😃

[@jmbechtel]

"At the request of two American sisters (Sutro sisters), Bruch reworked the work into a version for two pianos and orchestra." (From the description above.)

[@markokassenaar4387]

@@jmbechtel Love it!

[@rafaelloregiandasilva2498]

20:36 - 21:06

[@bachtehude2437]

Where did you find the score?