Faber Early Organ Series, Volume 17: Organ Book

Stepping into the quiet, contemplative world of early European organ music. These pieces reveal the instrument's intimate architectural origins, with each region's compositional voice creating distinct moods from the introspective to the architecturally grand.

Organists at intermediate through advanced levels who are ready to move beyond simplified arrangements and engage with original early repertoire in its proper historical context. This collection serves both recital performers and students preparing for comprehensive organ study.

• Consult the Registration section before your first run-through; early organ music depends heavily on thoughtful stop selection to bring out the composer's intent, and the guidance here accounts for both period instruments and modern organs.
• Use the Critical Commentary to understand source variants and editorial choices, especially when you encounter unfamiliar notation or fingering suggestions that may differ from modern conventions.
• Practice the ornamentation patterns outlined in the Ornamentation section separately before incorporating them into full phrases; early keyboard ornamentation follows specific rules that differ from later Romantic practice.

Build a recital around pieces from a single geographic region to create programming coherence and historical focus. These volumes also work well as a foundation for liturgical performances, where the original contexts of many pieces come fully alive.

• Reading early organ notation and unfamiliar clef combinations
• Understanding regional stylistic differences in early European composition
• Applying period-appropriate ornamentation and articulation
• Coordinating manual changes and stop registration with musical phrasing
• Interpreting source documents and editorial methodology