Grigny: Premier livre d'Orgue (1699)
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- Composer: Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703)
- Editor: David Ponsford
- Instrumentation: Organ
- ISMN:
- Size: 9.1 x 12.2 inches
- Pages: 172
Description
Nicolas de Grigny's Premier livre d'orgue (Paris 1699) represents the summit of musical achievement in organ composition during the French Baroque period. This is revealed by de Grigny's command of large-scale structures, the prevalence of five-part fugues using the most beautiful tonal colours of the organ, his harmonic language and modulatory schemes that make full use of meantone temperament, the successful incorporation of the latest instrumental and vocal styles into the established genres, the plethora of expressive detail and the sheer scope of his musical imagination. However, despite the best of scholarly intentions, an accurate and authentic edition of de Grigny's music is not possible given the extant sources.
The original 1699 print, engraved by Claude Roussel, was flawed with wrong titles, incorrect notes, misplaced accidentals, mistaken note values, misplaced and absent ties, and corrections made in the source without the errors being excised. All these errors, uncorrected in the 1711 edition (but with a further error on the title page), compromise our faith in the original print. The two important copies by J. S. Bach and J. G. Walther, made probably between 1709 and 1712, have the date 1700 inscribed on the title pages, suggesting that their source was a lost print or manuscript. These copies have often been considered as incorporating corrections, but the emendations in Bach's copy do not tell us anything about de Grigny's intentions, although they can tell us about Bach's reaction to French idioms and his attitude to making copies generally.
The plethora of errors in the 1699 print, together with alterations made in the Bach and Walther copies, has led different editors to adopt differing priorities with regard to the sources. This edition is based on de Grigny's 1699 print, but incorporates some corrections based on the copies made by Bach and Walther, as well as editorial suggestions made on the basis of careful study of the French Baroque organ repertoire, and several decades of performing and recording this wonderful music.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Grigny: Premier livre d'Orgue (1699)
