Organ compositions for pedals alone
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Abstract
The purpose of the research was to add to the body of knowledge concerning pipe organ literature by locating and describing compositions for pedals alone. The search was made with indexes, abstracts, organ literature bibliographies, Union Catalogues, on-line computer services, correspondence with publishers, and an examination of the general performance literature, method books and etude books.The study included works for organ solo which are primarily for pedals alone. A work with a few manual chords was not excluded, but a work which consistently uses the manuals, even in the most subsidiary role, was not included. The study was concerned with compositions which are intended for public performance. Exercises were omitted.FindingsThe efforts of thirty-three composers have produced thirty-nine compositions or collections of for pedals alone. One of the works makes exclusive use of clusters, three use dodecaphonic techniques, and four are from the Romantic Era. The remainder are compositions divided between twentieth-century moderate styles and twentieth-century conservative styles.Seventeen of the works require a pedal board with thirty-two pedals, eighteen of the works require at least thirty pedals, and three may be played on an instrument with twenty-five pedals. One work which does not use traditional notation could presumedly be played on any instrument.Thirteen works, one of which is in Langlais' collection of etudes, employ pre-existing tunes which are treated to variations or other compositional techniques. The other works use a variety of formal designs including fugue, fantasy, sonatina, rondo, dance forms, passacaglia, free form, and other designs.Alkan has the earliest complete work for pedals alone which is readily available.