Symphonie

Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, english horn, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in Bb, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, cymbals (pair), bass drum, organ, strings

Preface: The symphony was composed to mark my farewell as titular organist at the Kaiser- Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin and was premiered there on 10 February 2023 by the Symphony Orchestra of the Humboldt University, conducted by its music director Prof. Constantin Alex.

My objective was to integrate the organ into the ensemble as an additional orchestral instrument and to treat it accordingly. Apart from a few distinctly soloistic passages, the organ plays with and complements the other orchestral instruments and forms a unit with them. Therefore, when selecting the registrations, fusion with the orchestral apparatus should be taken into account and striven for. For this reason I have generally refrained from giving specific registration instructions, and have suggested certain details only in those passages which are particularly 'chamber music-like'. Ultimately, it is up to the organist's sensitivity to choose the registration in such a way as to ensure a synthesis with the sound of the orchestra.

A symphonic instrument with a swell box and, if possible, at least a labial 32' is required for the performance.

An organ with numerous fundamental stops and a pronounced reed part in the manual and pedal sections, as well as the widest possible dynamic range would be desirable. The organist's task is to find a good balance with the orchestra, especially in tutti passages, but also to ensure that the organ is heard distinctly. It was my wish to enrich the repertoire for orchestra and organ with a work that considers the organ as an integral part of the whole orchestral apparatus. (Wolfgang Seifen)