Christoph Herndler: A Rose Is A Rose Is…, Organ Music (2009 – 2019) – Wolfgang Kogert

Describing Christoph Herndler’s pieces, which were recorded by organist Wolfgang Kogert, as organ works is only partially accurate. Although Herndler is also an accomplished organist and has adapted the pieces in question specifically for the organ, as a composer he operates on a more abstract level, developing what are known as notation graphics-sometimes even three-dimensional notation objects-that typically do not specify instrumentation and do not necessarily require the graphic structures to be used as the starting point for a musical interpretation. These graphics could just as easily be used for dance or to control camera movements: Herndler refers to them as “media-crossing interfaces”. However, the “organ works” presented here are not simply arbitrary applications of notation graphics to the organ. Rather, the graphics and their interpretations are specifically tailored to the “composition” of the organ.