i had a chat with one of the professors at university and he has doubts about my recital programme. (my recital won't be till late may or early june, but i like early planning)

here is my proposed programme (final year recital is only 30 mins with breaks):

Dupre: Variations sur un noel
Bach: Fantasia and fugue in G minor (BWV 542)
Demessieux: Te Deum

i've played the bach and demessieux in public already, for several times (learning the dupre at the moment). my professor is concerned that i won't be able to pull off the programme. he's said stuff i'm playing are too difficult and those should only be played at the end of Masters' year. having said that, i'm due to sit my FTCL in november anyways.... i'm interested to see what you guys think and suggestions are welcomed.

Id have said if you can master the Dupre, then why not go for it.
But I think you have time problems! My recording of the Bach is 14 mins, and the Dupre 13 mins.
I dont know how long the Demessieux is but counting breaks you dont really need it.
Hope you will have a good registrant for the Dupre !

You may be sitting FT in November, but who is to say you will be successful? If I recall, it took you two goes to pass LT and that was not so long ago. Since a FT pass is by no means guaranteed, it can't provide a justification for trying this programme out at such a crucial juncture in your studies.

I would take your professor's advice, personally. He/She is clearly experienced in these matters. Why try and overeach when you can play safe and get a great mark, with much less risk?

Given that you have already worked hard on the Bach and Demessieux, can you find something other than the Dupre to take the pressure off? The start of the recital is key, so having something a little less demanding is a great way to warm yourself into the occasion.

that's very true. the LT incident was my own fault: i started the preparation late and had been very lazy and didn't get much practice done by the time it was the first attempt. I know i won't be guaranteed to pass the FT, but i'm trying very hard to achieve a pass in november. If I take the dupre out, should i play sth like the Stanford's Postlude (the D minor one)??? any other suggestions.

What other pieces does your Prof suggest? He knows the standard and can give you the best advice...

he did suggest simple bach or buxtehude chorale preludes (in place of the G minor), but nothing else.

What are your timings for the Bach and the Demessieux combined?
Does that leave room for something from your LTCL programme at the beginning?

He also, presumably, is getting to hear your playing and to judge at what level you presently are. Don't try to be *too* ambitious too soon. Perhaps just learn the Dupre for your own enjoyment at the moment?

They come to around 20 mins (with breaks).

my LTCL programme was:

Couperin's Grand Jeux from the Mass for the Convents
Bach's Schmucke dich, o liebe seele
Mendelssohn's Organ Sonata no. 6 (complete)
Alain's Variations (the one on LRSM syllabus)
Langlais' Te Deum

How about the Couperin then? A nice mix of French Classical, German Baroque and 20th Century should show you off to your best advantage?

cool. will give it a think.

i went to pick up certain things at cathedral and did have a small chat with my organ tutor. he was fine with the bach and demessieux (the dupre is slightly risky). the reason my professor thinks i shouldn't be playing bach is because of the difficult grasp of the tempo at the fantasia (the fugue is just difficult) and the Demessieux is a fun piece, but not really for recital purpose (though i believe several organists have that in their repertoire for recitals).

My take on the Bach is to keep a firm pulse so that the 'free' sections relate to the 'fugal' ones. It really is written in the older style, like the Buxtehude free works are, so you clearly have 5 sections (including the two fugues) to deal with.

I find the fugue much like a Trio Sonata movement. The hardest bits IMO are where you get imitative entries in different parts, in the same hand, so you have to phrase the two parts appropriately. Quite tricky!

I have heard a lot of different recordings of it and EVERYONE has a different take on what is 'correct' !!