Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast

In this Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast episode (SOPP 801), Vidas and Ausra answer a listener question from Andrew about playing simple, popular songs by ear instead of reading sheet music.

Welcome to Episode 800 of the Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast! In this milestone episode, Vidas and Ausra reflect on reaching 800 episodes and share their recent tour experience visiting the musical heart of J.S. Bach’s world: Leipzig, Germany.Join us as we discuss:• Visiting the interactive Bach Museum, original manuscripts, and the historic Bach chest• Stepping inside St. Thomas Church (Thomaskirche) and reflecting at Bach’s grave• The striking history and modern architecture of Leipzig University’s Paulinum (St. Paul’s Church)• Performing with the Vilnius University Choir "Gaudeamus" for Leipzig University Choir's 100th anniversary• Our impressions of playing the rebuilt Paulinum organ, navigating the bench, and acoustics for Baltic & classical duet repertoire• The realities (and cleanliness!) of historic organ loftsThank you so much for your continuous support, Super Thanks, and encouragement over the past 800 episodes! Remember: When you practice, miracles happen!Total Organist - the most comprehensive organ training program online: https://www.organduo.lt/total-organist

In this episode of the Secrets of Organ Playing podcast (SOPP 799), Vidas and Ausra discuss how to approach creative registrations on small pipe organs with limited stops.

Whether dealing with a single-manual instrument with a pull-down pedal or a compact two-manual practice organ, having few stops doesn’t mean being restricted in sound. They share practical techniques and registration tricks—including octave transposition, stop blending rules, re-voicing adaptations, and imaginative coupling—to bring variety, clarity, and color to your repertoire.

Why do we forget organ pieces we once knew by heart and performed in recitals, while other works stick with us for decades? In this conversation, Vidas and Ausra discuss the psychology of musical memory, the pitfalls of cramming repertoire during student years, and practical strategies—like spaced repetition and deep structural analysis—to keep your repertoire alive.

We also share stories of rediscovering old recital recordings and revisit pieces by Bach, Widor, Franck, and Vierne!

What organ pieces have stayed in your fingers the longest? Let us know in the comments below!

In this episode of the Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast (SOPP797), Vidas and Aušra record from Oslo, Norway, joined by special guest Paulius Grigonis. They explore Paulius' experiences with organ culture and liturgical music in Prague, church organ maintenance, concert vs. mass attendance, and reflect on founding the National Lithuanian Association of Organists. Vidas also shares the backstory of composing and premiering his piece "Lux pro libertate", Op. 407 for the January 13 commemoration in Prague.

In Episode 796 of the Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast, Vidas and Ausra discuss whether regularly recording your practice and performances actually makes you a better organist.From analyzing mistakes and overcoming camera anxiety to the realities of acoustic reverb and multi-take recording sessions, we share our personal experiences from over a decade of documenting our organ playing journey.🎹 Join the Total Organist Program: Discover the most comprehensive online organ training program to accelerate and refine your skills: [Insert Link Here]💬 Question for you: Do you record your own organ practice sessions? How does listening back help your playing? Let us know in the comments!

Should an organist specialize in a specific era, style, or composer—or strive to master a broad, versatile repertoire across all musical periods?

In this episode of the Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast (SOPP #795), we dive into the age-old debate of specialization versus generalization in organ playing. Whether you are preparing service music, concert repertoire, or developing your technical foundations, discover the key advantages, challenges, and career impacts of narrowing your focus vs. playing everything.

How many organ pieces should you be practicing at once? It’s a question every organist—from beginners to professionals—faces. In this episode, we dive into the balance of juggling multiple repertoires, the "three levels of difficulty" strategy suggested by James Flores, and how to manage your practice schedule based on upcoming recitals. We also share some personal stories from our time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and discuss when it might be time to abandon a piece that isn't working.

When is an organ piece truly ready to perform? Is it enough to play all the correct notes, or should we wait until the music feels completely secure?In this episode of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast, we discuss the signs that show a piece is ready for public performance. We explore preparation, confidence, musical flow, recovery from mistakes, and why waiting for perfection can sometimes prevent an organist from gaining valuable performance experience.Listen if you are preparing for a recital, church service, examination, or any occasion when you must decide whether your piece is ready to leave the practice room.

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating topic of what makes an organ performance truly memorable. Have you ever attended a concert that was technically flawless but left you feeling cold? Or perhaps one with a few mistakes that stayed with you for decades? We share our personal experiences—from the moving performances of Professor Leopoldas Digrys to the "gray and dull" recitals that technically had nothing wrong with them. We discuss the importance of artistic "spark," registration choices, the energy of live performances, and knowing when it's better to cancel a recital than to deliver a "sloppy" job. Join us as we explore the balance between technical perfection and artistic soul in organ playing.