Intermediate and experienced organists will prize this appealing
original collection of organ works in slow tempo. Its forty-three
adagios range from the Baroque era to modern times, offering a
tremendous variety of pieces for public and private performance.
Highlights include works by such celebrated composers for organ as
Johann Sebastian Bach (Hark! A Voice Saith, All Are Mortal, BWV 643),
Alexandre Guilmant (Méditation and Adagio, from Sonata No. 6, Op. 86),
Louis Vierne (Prélude Funèbre, Op. 4), and Charles-Marie Widor (Adagio
from Symphonie No. 5, Op. 42-1). Other pieces include the popular
Largo from Handel's 1738 opera, Xerxes; Liszt's tribute to his friend,
At the Grave of Richard Wagner; and pieces by Brahms, Couperin,
Mendelssohn, Mozart, Schumann, Saint-Saëns, and others. Editor Rollin
Smith provides notes on the music, with background information on each
piece.