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DANIEL GOTTLOB TURK'S "CONCERNING THE CHIEF RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ORGANIST", TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY
Abstract
In 1787, Turk wrote Concerning the Chief Responsibilities of an Organist, the first of many theoretical works which occupied a large part of his life and established his reputation as a scholar. His purpose in writing was to improve the musical liturgy, a topic of considerable interest in view of the increasing decline in the importance of ecclesiastical matters, especially church music, at the end of the eighteenth century. Turk wrote this book specifically for the beginning organist or one with limited skills. The main requirements of a good organist, the ability to (1) play congregational song well, (2) play a good, suitable prelude, (3) skillfully accompany a musical work, and (4) maintain the organ in good condition, are carefully delineated in separate chapters, as well as the means whereby these skills can be acquired. The first chapter is devoted to hymn playing and includes details on organ registration, choosing the appropriate key for the hymn, suggestions for the composition of interludes, which were frequently played between the lines of a hymn, and ways in which the organist can encourage devotion and edification through hymn playing. Directions for playing the prelude as well as information on smooth modulations from one key to another are included in the second chapter. In the third chapter there are guidelines for accompanying musical works, as well as practical suggestions for pedaling, using both heel and toe. The last chapter describes the basic parts of an organ, gives information on tuning the instrument, and tells how to remedy such problems as cyphers and sticking notes. Turk was well read and drew liberally from other writers, such as Mattheson, Adlung, Sulzer, Werkmeister and C. P. E. Bach. In addition, he refers his reader to over fifty other sources for more detailed information on particular topics. These sources were consulted and are the basis for the annotations which follow the translation. This book is important because it not only contains practical advice for the organist, but it is also an excellent source of information about the practice of eighteenth century Protestant church music in smaller German cities.
Subject Area
Music
Recommended Citation
WOOLARD, MARGOT ANN GREENLIMB, "DANIEL GOTTLOB TURK'S "CONCERNING THE CHIEF RESPONSIBILITIES OF AN ORGANIST", TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY" (1987). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8717270.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8717270