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Use your full organ rarely and never long at a time; the pedals also should be held in reserve for great effects; do not keep the manuals constantly coupled. Many players couple the Swell organ with reeds to the Great at once, and never allow the diapasons–the glory of the organ–to be heard alone. It must be constantly remembered that organ tone, from its sustained character, is fatiguing to listen to and requires perpetual, but not restless, change and variety. Keep your pedals near your hands, and do not play too much on the lower octave. Use the swell-pedal with discretion, not with jerks, and not too often. Above all remember that rhythm is, perhaps, the most attractive constituent of music, and that it is not at all easy to mark accent and phrasing upon the organ. The old habit of tying all notes common to successive chords is now fast vanishing, to the great benefit organ playing. Do not play your Bach too fast, and remember that the large pipes have columns of air which are not set in motion very quickly. Be sparing in full chords; few organists can resist any chance of playing five notes with each hand if possible.

"Mr. Parratt on the Organ". Musical Herald. 1 February 1892.

Labels: Bach, organ, Parratt