Amazing Grace Pipe Organ Improvisation Gerre Hancock

[cf2009utube]

The church music world (and the world at large) has lost a legend. RIP, Dr. Hancock, thank you for all the beautiful music.

[jontaitaustin]

RIP Uncle Gerre

[TheMysticalOrgan]

Gerre Hancock has died age 77. He was to give a recital today at the Catholic Cathedral, St Louis, MO, but pulled out Thursday due to unforeseen medical issues. He had a heart attack Friday and died Saturday. Condolences to his family; let us reflect on the passing of a genius. Requiem aeternam dona eis domine et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pacem. Ait illi dominus eius: Euge serve bone, et fidelis quia super pauca fuisti fidelis, super multa te constituam, intra in gaudium domini tui.

[09WestTexas]

Beautiful!!!

[32pedalnotes]

Beautiful. There's nothing like the standards in the hands of a master. A good cathedral room like that with and orchestral instrument like that must be most inspiring. Mr. Hancock has used the full tonal resources of the organ and every inch of that cathedral's space. GENIO! BRAVO!

[warriors1369]

@muslador21 This guy sucks!!! I fell asleep listening to him.

[trompettechamade1]

@warriors1369 Not all organ music need be loud or bombastic. Some of the best moments are when one is in a large church or cathedral and the organist is playing softly with a soft, purring 32' Subbasse or Contra Violon supporting it all, as in this piece.

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 I can definately agree with that. Nothing like hearing a song with a good 32 and every once in a while a nice loud song is good to remind you to what makes an organ unique

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 I agree. Of course, I did not mean to imply that I was against loud organ music; I love it too, as much as anyone else. The sound of a loud organ fanfare stop, or a massive full organ playing in a large space is a thrill that cannot be anwhere else! I also appreciate the quite, reflective moments. I just love great organs in great spaces. We have 2 of them in D.C., and I love them both.

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 I'm amazed at some of the organ videos on here and wish I could go and play some of the organs. Even though I want to I'm pretty happy with the organ that I get to play sometimes. It has 3600 pipes and will either shake the church that it's in or will cause you to go deaf from playing the tuba mirabilis which are only around 30 feet away from the console lol. This makes it very interesting if you want to play a super loud reed which I RARELY play something that ear breaking

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 I gree, except that I bombed out of piano because I cannot follow two staffs of music simultaneously, let alone 3! I also cannot coordinate both hands to play independently of each other, so I am resigned to only listen to organ music, not create it. If someone writes a one-handed piece of organ music + pedal, sign me on!

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 I've gotten okay with pedals but not so good at reading organ music still... and there are some easy organ pieces like the one i'm doing for a recital it's "What Wonderous love is this" it's an easy arrangement not too much pedal but it sounds nice and with oboe or trumpet reed it's amazing. I'll try to post it If I don't forget my camera next time I go and play the organ.

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 The 32' Subbass stop has a solid fundamental. Couple that with its extremely low frequency, and it will literally cause some things to vibrate. Many years ago, a reviewer of louspeakers commented on their ow bass capability by saying "the organ pipes sound real, like massive shuddering columns of air." The first time I heard one, I thought it was rising up from the very foundations of the Cthedral!

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 Turns out the stop is a 32' Sub Bourdan but I was close. and that's a good summing up of why an organ is so unique :) I get to play for tourists a lot of time when I play and even though they aren't allowed to come up to the organ loft a lot of them hear the organ quitely while they are taking a tour. I only wish they could hear what the organ is really capable of. Not full organ alone but all the different sounds it has to offer.

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 You're right, of course, the Sub Bourdon is another flute stop. When you're playing for tourists, try using some of the soft solo voices your organ may have, such as a clarinet, flauto mirabilis or orchestral flute, a soft trumpet or French Horn, oboe (hautbois), a string type stop (a viole celeste sounds wonderful) in the melody, some foundations for accompaniment, and using some pedal flues, including the 32' Sub Bourdon for support. I guarantee they'll love it!

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 there are only about 4-5 really soft stops and they're so soft that a 16 is by almost over the other stops depending on how soft i play but it sounds amazing a lot of tourists say how much they loved hearing it but I've never had a tourist that asked what the organ could actually do :)

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 Try this then: play "the world's longestcrescendo" (Ravel's "Bolero") starting out softly and ending up wih full organ. Then they will hear what your organ can do! It has been transcribed for organ (by Lenmare, I think) and should be available either for downloading or purchase.

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 just listened to it on piano and wow is all i can say.lol

[trompettechamade1]

@helloitsmelol097 Are you familiar with the orchestral version? It could give you some ideas concerning registration/orchestration.

[helloitsmelol097]

@trompettechamade1 no i havn't heard it i'll listen to it.

[ewokmusic]

this is BEAUTIFUL improvisation...even in the opening 2mins,,u can hear BEAUTIFUL harmonisation and modulations!!!

EXCELLENT!! HALLELULIA...

[gerardveurink]

@muslador21: Martin Mans is a phenomal organist and for you to bash his music like that is unreal. Listen to some of his other pieces and you will hear just how much he is capable of!

[monoamiga]

Beautiful harmony, also beautiful organ disposition, it's really wonderful to hear such music!

[orgeljlw]

Amazing!!!

[Capricornboy]

Beautifull, again Hancock surprises me!

[eterjesen]

Nostalgic..........I love my wife

[pelerin7772002]

Astonishingly beautiful. Phenomenal musician.

[rosaspon2007]

QUIERO CONOCER ESTE ORGANO...