Terror organist

Today I played at the same church as 24nd July. This Sunday was, despite the likelihood, made a remembrance Sunday by the church centrally to remember the victims the terror 22nd July. As it seems, I have become my home town's own terror organist!

Luckily, I didn't have to change much of my prepared music, I just had to play a few extra pieces as part of a change in the liturgy. I did do too badly, I think, although I was distracted during the postlude and had to improvise a few bars before I could resume the music as it was printed. I also had some "ill-haps" during a intermediate piece, but this wasn't really an important part of the service, so I don't think I matters so much.

Regarding the postlude, I discovered a strange phenomenon. Some thing, or some thought, distracted my attention while I was playing. Probably because I was tired, but I don't know. Anyway, suddenly I caught myself playing on "auto pilot", my mind were wandering in memories from practice sessions the previous week just as if I was present in those memories. My hands and feet played by themselves, and my thoughts and images in my head adjusted to what I was doing, forming a very real pseudo-reality. Usually I would call this dreaming, but I wasn't asleep, I was playing the organ! Sleep-playing!? Suddenly I realised that I wasn't present in the real world, and it was then I got lost and had improvise while I desperately tried to find my way in the sheet music! Has anyone else had this experience? Why does it happen, and how do I avoid it?

Unconvenient stand-in

Tuesday 19th July i was asked to play at the Sunday Service as the organist had been injured. On the Friday (22nd July) I went to church 4 pm to practice for the comming service. Little did I know of what took place in Oslo at the same time, a maniac killing 80+ people.

I was of course shocked to learn about the tradegy, but took no further notice organ-wise until the priest phoned me 10 pm (22:00) Saturday evening wanting to change the music for the service the following morning. So I ended up playing at a very special service indeed, for many parts unprepared. Being an amateur isn't always easy...

Oslo Lutheran Cathedral had the "official" and fully broadcasted service for 24th July, where Elgar's Nimrod was played during procession, ending in Abide With Me (in Norwegian). Hopefully, Elgar's music may gain more popularity after this.

Here I am again!

After a long break from performances, but still keeping up the harmonium playing at home, I played at a wedding last Saturday. Sadly, there wasn't any organ, only a piano (a small church).

The coming Friday I am asked to play at a funeral in a small chapel. There is just a piano there too. I haven't played at a funeral before, so this is going to be an interesting experience I believe. Also a challenge to find suitable music for piano, as I usually never play the piano. I found a 1900 European style funeral march among the sheet music from my grandmother that sounded OK on the piano. I also supposed to accompany a solo singer to Amazing Grace and Doggdropen (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZgDUfPRAoY). I'm supposed to pick up the sheet music for all the music and hymns tomorrow.