SOPP373: I started playing the organ aged 53
b"This question was sent by Emese. And, Emese writes:\\n \\nDear Ausra and Vidas!\\n \\nToday I've played Das Alte Jahr... as well. It's so nice. Have you known that it has 12 measures and 365 notes. The genius of Bach.\\nI started playing the organ aged 53 (earlier I played the viola)\\u2014this means 5 years ago, but we had no proper instrument.\\nThis year the renewal of our church came to an end and at last I've got a real organ. It's not a big instrument\\u2014it has got 8 stops=two manuals and pedal, made for our church. It was ready a week before Pentecost.\\nSo a real exercise started then. From September I have less time for exercise\\u2014but at least once or twice a week I try in the evenings.\\nIn these few months, I've learned mainly Bach works, pedal playing was new for me, but I enjoy practicing it a lot.\\nSo I have learned: three Schubler chorales as BWV 645, 646, 649. I am still practicing BWV 655\\u2014it's one of my favorites. I can play it already by heart, but there is still a lot of work.\\nMy next aim is Cesar Franck\\u2014Prelude in h moll op. 18\\nInstead of a postcard\\u2014my beloved organ.\\nHappy New Year!\\nMany thanks for the pieces of advice.\\nEmese"