Gustav Adolf Merkel (1827–1885) was a German organist and composer. Having been given some lessons by Schumann in his youth, Merkel spent most of his career in Dresden, concentrating on organ-playing from 1858. A Lutheran himself, he nevertheless held an appointment at the Catholic Cathedral of Dresden from 1864 until his death. During the same period he taught the organ at Dresden's Conservatory. Among organists he is mostly known for his Orgelschule and Etuden für Pedal.
Choral-Studien: Zehn Figurationen über den Choral 'Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten', Opus 116
I found this beautiful set of variations, although Merkel himself called them studies. Well, I understand why. With some variations you'd wish for a third hand or foot. I especially want to thank my neighbours for having to endure the loud pedal noise, due to studying variations 7 & 10... :)
Alas, I forgot to save my exact registrations. Indications:
00:00 Chorale
01:14 Var. 1 (Oboe 8' as c.f.)
02:22 Var. 2 (some principal 8's)
03:27 Var. 3 (Cello 8' as c. f. in the pedal part)
05:02 Var. 4 (clear reference to Bach, with lot of staccato accents)
06:17 Var. 5 (Klarinette 8' as c.f.)
08:20 Var. 6 (all 8' and 4' labial voices)
09:39 Var. 7 (ziemlich volles Werk)
11:17 Var. 8
13:11 Var. 9 (c.f: Nasard 2 2/3' + Tremolo)
15:25 Var. 10 (Volles Werk)
Dedicated to David (user Agnus_Dei), because his recordings of some other Merkel pieces on the Kaiserdom organ brought me to the idea of this piece and performance.
The score is in the attachments.
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