Scary Halloween Music
What was that “scary” Bach organ piece? This and other selections to set the mood for the coming week.
Johann Sebastian Bach. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor
CDc 9833 - Karl Richter, organ
CDc 8759 - Philharmonic Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski, conductor
Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Phantom of the Opera
CDc 2101 – Empire Brass
CDc 3117 - Peter Nero, piano; Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Léon Boëllmann: Suite Gothique
CDc 7863 – Simon Lindley, organ
Henri Mulet: Esquisses Byzantines. Tu es petra
CDc 7243 - Volker Ellenberger, organ
Louis Vierne: Pièces de Fantaisie. Toccata
CDc 7244 – Joseph Adam, organ
I can see where music from “Phantom” is considered scary Halloween music by association, but why does the pipe organ in general represent “scary” music? What about orchestral pieces, like that Saint-Saens “Danse Macabre?” Or how about Berg’s opera “Wozzeck?” Now that’s scary stuff! It just seems like the pipe organ ends up being stereotyped too often as spooky.
Eric Charnofsky
November 6, 2006
Excellent observation. Any other recommendations for ’scary music” beyond organ repertoire?
Submissions are welcome.
cimlibrary
November 6, 2006