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.

More organist stand-ins

27^th of June and 8^th of August I played at Lutheran services, in two different churches respectively. I am starting to regain the confidence and playing skills I had 7 years ago. I hope to continue this good trend so stand-in assignments can be done without unnecessary struggle on my part. Then I can actually start producing some real music, which would be nice. I was very close to playing the Andante by Macpherson the 27th of June, but I gave in to lack of confidence and resorted to improvisation instead. I don't want to play a famous piece in a horrific manner, although sounding OK to the unknowingly, in case someone in the congregation would happen to know the music. I played the Nun Danket by Karg-Elert on the 17^th of May, but I didn't deliver the goods. However, many people loved it because they had no clue what it was supposed to sound like... I got away with it, but I will not count on getting away with it another time...

Gospel Shouts

Normally I wouldn't pay any attention to "gospel music". On youtube I found this video. Just look at their faces. I can never get tired of watching it. It really is an inspiration to all musicians to watch the joy they're expressing.

However, I can not imagine having this music in my church....