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Organ & Interpretation
Book cover: Organ & Interpretation, The North German school, Part I

Paolo Crivellaro

Organ & interpretation The North German school Part I

322 pages · Copyright © 2025 · ISBN 978-3-9821872-6-6

Available on Amazon

Contents – Part I

  1. Introduction
  2. 1 Sources
    • Printed music, autographs and copies
    • German tablature and staff notation
    • Treatises and writings relating to the organ and its repertoire
    • The relationship between singing and instrumental music
  3. 2 Stylus Antiquus and Stylus Modernus
    • From Prima pratica to Stylus theatralis
    • The Italian influence
    • French elements
  4. 3 Use of the organ in the liturgy
    • Organ and Gottesdienst
    • Organ and alternatim
    • Organ and accompaniment of the congregation
    • Organ and musica concertante
  5. 4 Repertoire for organ solo
    • Issues of organology
    • Restrictions on solo organ playing in the Gottesdienst
    • Music ex tempore
    • Playing from memory
    • Compositions as pedagogical models
    • Teaching and Discipuli Organici
  6. 5 Intabulation of motets
  7. 6 Compositions with Gregorian cantus firmus
    • The Magnificat for organ
    • The organ hymn
    • The ordinarium in the Lutheran liturgy
  8. 7 Compositions with cantus firmus on chorales
    • Chorale elaboration
    • Orgelchoral and Choralvorspiel
    • Choralvariation
    • Choralfantasie and Choralricercare
Detail of a Baroque organ case Gilded organ façade with angel figures Historic organ with wooden case Historic keyboard Printed stoplist of the St. Nicolai organ, Hamburg Large North German organ Engraved period portrait Baroque organ with wooden case
Pieter van Dijk

Pieter van Dijk

Crivellaro offers a rich and insightful guide for the inquisitive organist eager to explore the many facets of the North German organ repertoire. Structured in three parts, the book leads the reader through the essential pillars of North German organ art. Extensive analyses—grounded in rhetorical and figural theory—are applied to both chorale-based and free organ works. Numerous well-chosen source quotations bring clarity and historical depth to this musical journey. A warmly recommended resource for all interpreters of this magnificent repertoire.

Ton Koopman

Ton Koopman

This is a remarkable book, a valuable resource for the interpretation of North German organ music. It offers a wealth of information, highlighted from various angles without choosing one particular view. The author lets the sources and the literature speak for itself, so that musicians can make their own decisions. Highly recommended!

Harald Vogel

Harald Vogel

Paolo Crivellaro’s volumes provide musicians with a remarkably clear, compact, and authoritative guide to the historically informed performance of the North German repertoire. They unite comprehensive coverage with a balanced, unbiased presentation, preserving the immediacy and authenticity of original languages and sources. Enriched with numerous facsimiles and practical insights, these works are an indispensable compendium of knowledge and experience by a seasoned practitioner for fellow practitioners.

Wolfgang Zerer

Wolfgang Zerer

The knowledge currently available on North German organ culture is presented here by a distinguished scholar and excellent performer. Clearly structured and written with great sensitivity, this book invites both “Kenner und Liebhaber” [connoisseurs and enthusiasts] to deepen their understanding and appreciation of this repertoire. A major enrichment, and strongly recommended!