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

Paolo Crivellaro

Organ & interpretation The North German school Part II

378 pages · Copyright © 2025 · ISBN 978-3-9821872-7-3

Available on Amazon

Contents – Part II

  1. 8 The rhetorical element
    • The Dispositio
    • Brief comment on rhetorical figures
    • Rhetorical figures in the work of Dieterich Buxtehude
  2. 9 Free compositions
    • Praeambulum and Praeludium
    • Toccata
    • Fantasia
    • Fugue and Canzona
    • Ostinato
    • Secular repertoire
  3. 10 Tempo
    • Alla breve and alla semibreve
    • Tempo markings in Michael Praetorius
    • Tempo markings in Johann Mattheson
    • Tempo changes per verba in the repertoire
  4. 11 Proportions
    • Brief comment on mensural notation
    • Proportio tripla and proportio sesquialtera in the 17th century
    • The decline of the proportional system
    • Proportions in the North German repertoire
  5. 12 Rhythmic freedom and Stylus Phantasticus
    • Stylus recitativus and metric freedom
    • Playing con discretione
    • The stylus phantasticus according to Athanasius Kircher
    • The stylus phantasticus according to Johann Mattheson
  6. 13 General features of the Hanseatic organ
    • Organ in F and organ in C
    • Manual and pedal characteristics
    • The Werkprinzip
    • Praetorian tuning and well-tempered systems
    • Subsemitonien
    • Meantone and repertoire
  7. 14 From Niehoff to Schnitger
    • Stoplist composition from the mid-16th to early 18th century
    • Two noteworthy but little-known instruments
    • The principal organ builders
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!