Odak, Krsto: Complete Organ Works

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Krsto Odak’s Organ Works

 

 

Characterized as the composer of the transition - in the gap between tradition and modernity - Krsto Odak (1888 - 1965) achieved a transition in his personal life as well: a transformation from a priest (a member of the Franciscan order) into a secular person, a distinguished composer of vocal, chamber and orchestral music. His modest organ output equally shows traces of transition, since it departs from the usual models of Croatian organ music of that period (mostly destined for the use in the Catholic liturgy), both in terms of its purpose - which is no longer liturgical in nature - as well as in its expression, with pronounced use of rich chromaticism and strong emotional gestures. It should be noted that in the first half of the 20th century - when these works were composed - Croatian organ music was still mostly defined by the liturgical needs of church organists, while on the other hand - in terms of the organ repertoire - a significant body of work was created: namely, the compositions by Franjo Dugan Sr. were composed in the period from 1892 to 1906 and published in 1925 in Zagreb.14 It can be assumed, therefore, that Dugan’s organ works were exemplary models for Odak’s organ music, and through their friendship and joint work at the Music Academy in Zagreb (where Odak had taught from 1922 to 1961) Dugan certainly influenced Odak’s views on the organ music. In addition to the works for organ solo, Odak composed a dozen sacred vocal pieces with the customarily dense organ accompaniment (with the obligatory use of pedal)15 and included organ in several of his symphonic works.

 

Sadržaj | Contents:

 

O orguljskome opusu Krste Odaka. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . VI

Redaktorska bilješka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII

Krsto Odak’s Organ Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . XII

The Editor’s Note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .XIV

 

 

Passacaglia u g-molu

Passacaglia in G minor, op. 34c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .1

 

Preludij i fuga u c-molu

Prelude and Fugue in C minor, op. 35a & b . . . . . . . . .  . . . . 13

 

U se vrime godišća: Koral, Elevatio, Postludium

Choral, Elevatio and Postlude on a Christmas Hymn

„At This Time of Year“. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19