Adagio and Trio - Jeff Perks | Secrets of Organ Playing Contest Week 35

This is my entry for the Secrets of Organ Playing Contest Week 35. I have been sick with a cold the last few days and I couldn't get to the church to record my entry. I won't have any other opportunity before the deadline, so this recording is on my studio instrument.

Jeff Perks is a pianist and organist currently serving at Unity Presbyterian Church in Denver, North Carolina. He also records, performs and teaches as part of Jeff Perks Piano Academy. His decorated career has spanned multiple churches and even included a gig at Carnival Cruise Lines, where he was the top rated pianist.

The inspiration for this piece was from @organduo's post on Some thoughts about organ recital programming. He discusses the art of recital programming and what keeps a listener engaged. This is truly a difficult task, especially when you have to maintain interest over a 40-60 minute recital. As with everything in life, there must be balance. The listener will get tired of listening to too many fast pieces, bored if there are too many consecutive slow pieces, get sore ears if you play too many loud pieces and fall asleep if you play too many quiet pieces in a row!

The piece I am playing is mostly quiet so it's probably best suited in the middle of a programme (as a palette cleaner) between two louder or fast works.

There is no set formula on how to programme a recital. There are just too many variables! One thing I like to do is visualise myself at the future recital, in the audience, and consider what would keep me engaged. It helps to keep in mind the musical demographic and what people could "take". For example in my town I doubt anyone could appreciate Messiaen's Dieu parmi nous! One point in @organduo's post really stuck out for me:

...too much contrast is also not good. It might sound contrary to the logic but if I mix all these elements too much without any order, then listeners can't find a unifying element of my recital.

Again, there is no "silver bullet" to recital programming. Use your judgement, good taste and truly convince yourself that what you are performing is compelling. People can sense when you are not 100% dedicated to what you are playing.

One particular recital programme I am proud of is one I based on a theme. I titled it:

"Bach and Bédard"

Johann Sebastian Bach
Prelude in E-flat major (“St Anne”), BWV 552i

Denis Bédard
Variations sur ‘Herzlich tut mich verlangen’

Suite du deuxième ton

• Plein Jeu
• Gavotte
• Récit
• Écho
• Fugue sur le Grands Jeux

Variations sur ‘In dulci jubilo’

I hope you enjoyed my rendition of Jeff Perks' Adagio and Trio. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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