orgelspel

Orgelspel is the Dutch term for the performance of organ music, encompassing both liturgical accompaniment and concert playing on the pipe organ. It includes improvisation, which has traditionally been a central skill for organists, as well as the performance of written works from the organ repertory such as preludes, fugues, chorale settings, toccatas, and suites. In church services, the organist accompanies hymns, leads intonation, and organizes registrations (the choice of stops and combinations) to match the liturgy and acoustics.

Practitioners typically work with manuals (keyboard divisions) and the pedalboard, coordinating hands and feet to realize registrations, registration changes, tempo, legato, and articulation. The practice also involves adapting repertoire to the instrument's range and the acoustics of the venue. In concert settings, organists present recitals or improvisations, sometimes with a thematic program; modern orgelspel may incorporate contemporary techniques and repertoire.

Historically, orgelspel developed from medieval and Renaissance liturgical music and the dynamic organ tradition in Dutch-speaking regions. The practice emphasizes improvisation as a live performance skill, and organists often study in settings that bridge liturgical and concert responsibilities. While Bach's organ music remains central to the repertory, Dutch orgelspel has its own pedagogical and interpretive approaches.

Organs used for orgelspel range from large parish churches with multiple manuals to smaller chapel organs, and in recent times recordings and broadcasts have broadened access to this practice. The term remains a general label for the craft of organ performance in Dutch-speaking contexts.