2019 International Organ Competition Repertoire

Qualification Round

The two selections are listed below.

1. Choose A, B, C or D:

  • A. Maurice Duruflé: Veni Creator, Op. 4: Choral Varié
  • B. Felix Mendelssohn: Choose one of these three Sonatas:
    Sonata I:   ii. Adagio and iv. Allegro assai
    Sonata IV:   ii. Andante and i. Allegro con brio
    Sonata IV:   ii. Andante and iv. Allegro maestoso
  • C. Sigfrid Karg-Elert: Jesu meine Freude, Op. 87, No 2: i. Inferno and ii. Canzona
  • D. Louis Vierne: any slow and fast movement combination from a Symphonie

2. Choose a transcription for organ, of any style or period, either an original or previously published transcription, 4–7 minutes in duration. A score must be provided with your application.

Preliminary Round

The three selections listed below may not exceed 30 minutes, including time taken between pieces. The competition judges must approve all musical selections.

1. Choose one of the following works:

  • Johann Sebastian Bach:Passacaglia in C minor (excluding double fugue), BWV 582
  • Dietrich Buxtehude: Chaconne in E Minor, BuxWV 160
  • Dietrich Buxtehude: Chaconne in C Minor, BuxWV 159

2. Choose a piece that is of a melodic and lyrical nature. This piece may be either original organ music or any form of transcription, 4–7 minutes in duration. This piece must be different than any piece chosen for the qualification round. A slow movement of a larger work, e.g., ii. Canzona from Karg-Elert’s Op. 87, is acceptable. A score must be provided.

3. Choose a major transcribed work of overture nature (Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Weber, Rossini, Brahms, etc.), either previously published or an original transcription. A score must be provided.

Final Round

The five selections listed below may not exceed 45 minutes, including time taken between pieces. The competition judges must approve all musical selections.

1. Choose a major piece from the canonical organ repertoire. A score must be provided.

For example:

  • A prelude, toccata, introduction, and fugue of Bach, Mendelssohn, Brahms or Reger
  • One of Franck’s Trois Chorals
  • Opening or concluding movement of a Widor or Vierne symphony for organ, Rheinberger organ sonata, or equivalent
  • An opening movement of a Reger Chorale Fantasia or Karg-Elert Symphonic Chorale.

2. Choose a major transcribed work of overture nature (Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Wagner, Weber, Rossini, Brahms, etc.), either previously published or an original transcription. This piece must be different than the piece chosen for the preliminary round. A score must be provided.

3. Choose a piece of a melodic and lyrical nature. This selection may be either original organ music or any form of transcription, 4–7 minutes in duration. This piece must be different than any piece chosen for the preliminary round but may be a piece you have chosen for the qualification round. A score must be provided.

4. A piece will be chosen by the competition judges and will be announced when the ten competitors are chosen. Please allow for up to 8 minutes for this piece.

5. Choose a piece of any form. A score must be provided.