Washington Cathedral Pipe Organ: Fanfare for the Common Man

[09WestTexas]

a55b47 Thank you. I had the pleasure of knowing Doug at the age of 14, when he was learning to drink and smoke. He played as well at 14 as he did at 40. also, I spent 4 yrs. serving the Polish National Catholic Church, met in the Bethlehem Chapel. But best of all, I had the privelage of playing the grand choir organ anytime after the Cathedral closed. Doug's arr. of the Copland piece and the Widor Toccata (with brass) were marvelous achievements. One of the best Aeoline-Skinners I've played.

[09WestTexas]

I don't know that Doug ever recorded this piece on a CD. I heard it for the July 4th celebrations and once for someone personally..John Kraus, the longest standing virger of the Cathedral. Somehow, I don't think it was in his mind to ever record it, it was played more for a memorial for mankind than for a performance to be enjoyed. But I am proud to say that I heard him play it, and play it for my friend, John's retirement. Blessings, Doug..Blessings John, may you rest in peace.

[a55b47]

@09WestTexas I'm not aware of any CD of this, either. I recorded this from a radio broadcast of the Independence Day recital (back when public radio stations were still performing worthy services like this ;-)

[shadowstrikz]

Cool stuff! I may visit outside of Canada someday. It will be cool to visit Washington. Too bad Keith Emerson won't be playing this tune when I get there.

[aihoschema]

Magnificent pipe ranges on this organ! It faithfully represents the sound and fel of the brass instruments of the original arrangement but it clearly is a beauty of a pipe organ in all its glory.

This composition never will be a cliche. I always feel a mix of being humbled and pride when listening to fantastic renditions like this one.

[MsContessina]

DIVINE.... and with great RESPECT.....

[birdebyrd]

that deserves a REPLAY

[keyboardjeff]

This is one of my favourite classical songs. I love this!

[zbaf6]

My favorite part is around 2:18 when the "theme" comes back for the last time....

[Glamrma]

Awesome!

[meanmon]

My brother-in-law is Tom Strout and a very good friend of mine is Dr. Ladd Thomas, both great organist which I would enjoy hearing and watching them play the organ at your Cathedral. One more side of Copland's "Fanfare"...It is the segue between the third and fourth movement of Copland's Third Symphony with a woodwind intro...Outstanding work along with your playing...Thank You, Sir.

[kerrzo1971]

The wife and I were fortunate to be in ther Kelvin museum in Glasgow when the organist played this as part of a recital. I will always remember that day as shortly afterwards we emigrated from Scotland to Oz.

[MrMusicandmath]

WOW!!!!!

[RayGettings]

This brings tears to my eyes

[druma1972]

emrson lake and palmers version kicks ass

[jos53cor]

Muy buena interpretación!

[gramps2matt]

I'm going to try and find sheet music for this as well. I tried several years ago from a top notch sheet music store near me and the best the owner could come up with was a piano reduction. Then 2 years ago I tried an on line source and it only had the piano reduction as well. It seems a waste to have composed this arrangement for organ and NOT have had it published.

[zukavatar]

HOLY GOD that sounds SHARRPP in the beggining, and flat on the low Concert B flat at the end of the first phrase. :| dont know if anyone else thought that... but it was driving me crazy.

[Dant2142]

@zukavatar He said he recorded it from a radio broadcast, and you know how FM modulation has a tendency make everything sharper than it should be.

[gondolacrescent5]

@zukavatar

I heard the same thing--not the sharp bit at the beginning but the flat note.

The pipes involved are extremely sensitive and change pitch easily. I also suspect the organ tuners have trouble tuning it as it's so loud they likely can't tolerate standing next to the pipe for more than a few seconds while it's played. "Close enough" is often regarded as good enough with the tuning of pipes of this sort. The hope is that no one will notice the slight pitch deviation. Few can.

[poissonnoir]

This is not a religious piece -- this is a class piece. This work celebrates the common man as Handel celebrated monarchy ("Water Music" - "Fireworks") - it just makes me smile -- This is us. We are great.

[gondolacrescent5]

@poissonnoir

I disagree. If it's played on an organ inside a church and accompanying a service, it is, sacred.

Is there anything about Bachs Toccata and Fugue that makes it sacred?(No) But it's made sacred by a collective act of passive acclamation over the years being chosen to accompany, begin or end Christian services.

I'm not trying to create a fight. I know a church music director who will not use all sorts of worthwhile music because there's no mention of God in a text that doesn't exist.

[poissonnoir]

@gondolacrescent5 - I suspect that we are arguing different points entirely - but I hope that we would agree that this is a magnificent rendition of a magnificent piece celebrating the genius of the common man.

[Dragmack]

truly, the king of instruments.

[1clarinet1981]

fanfare for the common man will NEVER BE CLICHE!

[k22984]

I kind of think that Mr. Copland wrote this for me, and anyone else who has ever served.

[masipasj]

Nothing on earth can come close to the sound of a superb pipe organ in the acoustic environment of a cathedral!

[imanoob4]

This is a place where I want to hear and see for myself before I die.

[CineGraphic]

How bizarre to see this...that's me smashing the gong. I was the bass/baritone soloist for many years. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Doug Major and Nicholas White.

[Einaudi]

Excellent! Fantastic! Marvellous!

[totallyremiss]

Fantastico!!!!

[bongrocker]

It sounds alright. But a skilled wind ensemble of seventeen year olds could knock this out just as well.

[bongrocker]

Oh, I'm sorry. We're not listening to the song or the ensemble. We're listening to "the acoustics." I'm terribly sorry. Five stars for the pile of brick it was played in. The rest? Three stars max.

[poissonnoir]

@bongrocker - real apologies have a different sound - and a different tone. The star rating may mean something to you. The rest of us are unimpressed.

[bobcooper31]

@poissonnoir I agree with your sentiments regards Bongrocker. It annoys me immensely that so many people use these forums to seek attention. If they had any intelligence or education they would recognise that they are only denigrating themselves.

[BH061595]

This is just great!!!

[Arfipuss]

Agreed - pretty damn impressive!

[somesillysap]

WOW ! !

[RocketmAAnU]

I'm having an ELP flashback from this.

[felson99]

Could this be more beautiful? I think not! Thanks so much for posting this beautiful piece.

[PEPEDEBARRO]

Absolutamente impresionante. Gracias!

[BH061595]

I just love those trumpets!!!!!

[boazMarcus]

an amazing piece.

i love copland , i think he is one of the greatest us composers.

i'm european , belgian , not that familiar with this piece.

please stop arguing about christianity ; the music comes first in yhis case

[BH061595]

Beautiful!!!

[novaguy20191]

This piece will never be cliche to those of us that love Coplands's works. Brings me to tears each and every time I hear it played by a true orchestra.

Many don't know that Aaron Copland wrote the piece for back in 1942-43 as America entered in to WWII. Do a Wiki to see more.

Maybe some posts got deleted; but for me this video is not about religion - but sharing the experience of "Fanfare" being played at the Cathedral.

[linee2009]

THANK YOU AS I HAVE BEEN STATING THIS

TO OTHERS...

i STATED THAT HE WROTE THIS WHEN AMERICA ENTERED THE WAR

[ehelwagen]

WOW!!!

[theaterpipe1]

The opening made it sound like a horror film, then the music comes on.

I not sure what else to say.

[bradhorn14]

copeland wrote those percussion for a reason.

[guimbadriver]

is it a pipe organ playing?? for me its sounds like a fairlight or a Roland synth

[TheZynMan]

as always a fantastic piece of music; the architectural beauty of the place is a great compliment to the tune.

[kwakduckee]

Is it normal to have chills vibrate ate every note?....This was amazing

[caysonstaples]

Where can i get the sheet music? I have looked but all I can find is the music for a full orchestra...is this an improv?

[a55b47]

I think this might have been an arrangement by Doug Major, who was cathedral organist when this recording was made (mid/late-1980's, I think). Google his name; I think he's somewhere in New England now.

[benjaminzedrine]

If you lived in Melbourne you could get it on Collins street, top end.

[trompettechamade1]

@a55b47 THis is a reply to your original comments. I have been to several July 4th concerts by DOuglas Major. He always started with this piece, and he always played the entire piece on the Trompette en Chamade. The lower registers of the en chamade have a slightly more "snarly" sound, somewhat ike a Spanish Trompetta Real,and that might be what led you to think the chamade comes in at 1:40 or so, but the entire piece is played on the Trompette en Chamade.

[bachluthology2]

@a55b47 Is there a cd recording of this?

[a55b47]

@bachluthology2 I'm not aware of one.  I recorded this from a radio broadcast many years ago -- back when radio stations were still broadcasting classical music ;-)

[trompettechamade1]

@a55b47 I wish there were a CD of this. The only one I saw (and got) was an excellent performance by Scott Dettra on his new recording Majestus. Unfortunately, the chamade was miked distantly (at the crossing) and the pecussion instruments are much too prominent! This recording was much better balanced. I believe that as the piece progressed, Doulas used all of the three major reeds to push the sound the sound down the nave, to reat effect.

[eldorin01]

@caysonstaples If you search on the Library of Congress. You will find Copland's original manuscripts of the Fanfare. There are two. One condensed for keyboard, and one for orchestra. I have pulled both myself and are transcribing them for our pipe organ at my church.

[Larsky1010]

All pipe organs should have Washington National's acoustics! Stunning!

[RedPop4]

What a fantastic instrument. Reeds in tune? What's that all about. Simply wonderful.

Populous what?

[Nosteratees]

Type in haste, repent at leisure. I meant populace.

Apologies.

[hejdukovadenisa]

nic moc

[robert99brown]

i meant to say the party's dont do anything to stop them disappearing

[IC2720]

Sure, ok, you don't believe. But can you just calm down a minute and enjoy a bit of music ? Can you ?

[kerrywsmyth]

Besides the fact that you're blind to positive things local Christian churches do for the community, what would you rather have - Churches convincing people to voluntarily donate? OR, the government taking it from you under the threat of arrest for poorly run programs? You have to have one or the other or both but not neither.

[Nosteratees]

I'm not blind to those things at all. My whole family has devoted its life to the Christian church. My father was a church organist of 30 years service, my Brother has followed suit and even I myself served for 5 years as a chorister in one of England's finest cathedrals. Then I started thinking for myself and realised that Christianity was a lie.

I'm not against the church taking money. I'm just against them doing it in the name of a non-existant supreme being.

[jorgensonb78]

Bravo! Another real human being who can think for themselves. Why are we so rare in a progressive society? Very true, Christianity and religion as a whole, is all a farce and a crutch for those who don't have the mental capacity to think outside of the box.

[jvandle]

Very rare in America, at least. If you look at Europe, in some countries over 50% (some even around 80%+) atheist or agnostic.

[BH061595]

what do you mean by that! are you saying that being a Christian is bad and it is a waste of time?

[BH061595]

well, Do you like music? and would you call it a waste of time?

[BH061595]

no, no, you got it backwards. Jesus does not try to bash people with the Bible. He is the one who created you and me. I appologise if I am preaching to you. You dont understand. God is not a waste of time. In the end, I will be in paridise. Trust me. You will never feel the same once you except him.

[linee2009]

AI guess you need to talk to a veteran that was in battle..then

cause they fight for us and our beliefs..

even for you..

but for you to state that religion is a waste of time..

I am wasting my time writing this to you..

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ELSE!!!

[dorkandproudofit]

Allow me to attempt to settle this debate.

All faiths have merits, and all philosophies, whether religious or not, have theirs. Reason and faith, however, are not incompatible. In my opinion, the ideal religion is simply faith; the ideal philosophy, kindness.

[tamiasthechipmunk]

This video is not about making a statement for or against religion This video is about enjoying enjoying an outstanding composition played on an outstanding musical instrument. So please take the christian vs. not being christian drama somewhere else.

Thank You

Thank You.

[Nosteratees]

This is youtube, not your living room. Surely debate of any kind is what the comments section is for?

[07Nick07]

Debate is always good - but don't call me Shirley

[robert99brown]

absolutely beautiful ,sadly in britain there wont be any churches or cathedrals left to play the organ's as our non christian party's do anything to save them

[Darthymerej]

oh my That sounds marvelous I thought it was really played by a Brass Orchestra.

[divataupe]

Does anyone know who arranged this piece of music? Thanks! :)

[vfrocket]

Fanfare for the Common Man

Aaron Copland -1942

[dorkandproudofit]

Additional trivia: It was written as a memorial piece for all the soldiers from the Allied nations in WWII who did not return to their home countries.

[FromHolbergsTime]

A splendid and sonorous spectacle that dazzles the mind, body, soul and ear! It is quite wonderful to hear this rendition in such a fine acoustic space. Although the fully orchestral version is quite noble by itself, this performance combines a richness and depth of majesty that simply outclasses all other versions that I have heard. The trompette-en-chamade adds a dimension of glory to this memorable work. I like the LP orchestral version with "Lincoln Portrait" narrated by Adlai Stevenson.

[GloriousMagnifiCat]

Absolutely Spritual music at its best played on the king of all instruments!

[dorkandproudofit]

Agreed. This is an absolutely fabulous instrument! I wonder how the Overture from Phantom of the Opera would sound on this thing.... Probably just as amazing!

[1clarinet1981]

Glorious!!!

[gmc0422]

I had the thrill of playing that organ myself several years ago when I was assigned to Andrews AFB for my annual (summer) tour with my Air National Guard unit. The organ does NOT have any percussion stops, per se, with the exception of some chimes. The tympani and cymbals you hear are real, being done by others, not by the organ. Does this help? G. Mark Caldwell, MMus, Major, (USAFR, Retired),

[topper2142]

Outstanding!

[Contratrombone64]

wonderful instrument, splendid reed stop(s)

[joylava88]

very good i myself play

[1950Bob]

Question for an organ expert. Any chance that tympani sound is from the organ? Or did they have to bring in an accompanist?

Either way I have never heart this piece done on a pipe organ -- until now. I have one word for it ....AWESOME. Thank you so much for the experience.

[a55b47]

Bob, they're real tympani. You're right: it's pretty damn impressive;-) This piece seems to have become a standard of the Cathedral's 4th of July repertoire.

[DeadlyRuler007]

@a55b47 Timpani not Tympani btw.

[eoghdes18]

Several organs around the world do have percussion and other 'joke stops' (aside from the almost standard Zimbel, a sort of wind chime on a wheel that spins around), but not this one.

[gondolacrescent5]

@1950Bob

The tympani is not from the organ. A church organ would be subject to ridicule if it were equipped with appliances normally found in Theatre organs. A tympani could be installed in a pipe organ and made to play by mechanical means at the discretion of the organist but it'd be extremely difficult to keep something like that working properly all the time. The organ tuners are hard pressed to keep 30-40 (?) ranks of reeds in tune.

[trompettechamade1]

@1950Bob I was at many July 4th concerts where this was played by Douglas Major. All the trumpets(three are used: The Trompette en Chamade, the Tuba Mirabilis, and the Posthorn (to carry the sound doen the nave)) are on the Great Organ. They bring in a percussion section consisting of a set of 4 timpani, a bass drum, and a tam-tam.

[1950Bob]

@trompettechamade1 THANK YOU so much for the information.

[trompettechamade1]

@1950Bob You are quite welcome, and thank YOU very much for the video. I love it!

[1Shosta]

and the percussion??who play it?

[a55b47]

I do not know. I recorded this from a radio broadcast 20 years ago, & they didn't identify the percussionist.

[tornspeedo]

I am pretty sure that console has percussion section with cymbals etc...as part of the organ. This is very common on high end pipe organs and theater organs.

[1Shosta]

WOW!

[356481394]

It is always good to hear the organ

[JOEH11]

that church on the interior looks like westminstr abbey

[EAJCB]

That was really nice to listen to. I'm not usually a fan of playing things on organ that are meant for brass as it looses some of the rawness and bite, but this definitely caught the spirit of the piece.

[hjbpnb]

Yes, ARFRC1, it was performed at the right speed and yes it IS a very GOOD arrangement.

Very well performed !

THANKS FOR SHARING, A55B47 !

[ARFRC1]

Too Fast?

No way, this was an awesome performance and actually is at the same speed as it was originally written, at least that is my understanding.

This was not too fast, it was right on.

[TheApocalypseKid]

tooo seperated... sounds out too.

[dogdog92]

would be great if someone someday improvise a little fantaisie on this theme....

[robbiemccarthy]

im pretty sure the rock trio emerson, lake and palmer did a rock version using a hammond (c3) organ. it has a couple variations much more in the rock style of 'yes' and ELP'. there is a great video on YouTube, as the first result when you search 'elp fanfare'.

[tubatubatubatub]

way to fast?

[alfaz210]

i agree

[robbiemccarthy]

i actuall ylike this tempo, it suits the reverb of the hall/ instrument combination.

[Gball223]

AndyofVermont,

Quick info check; I don't think any work by Harrison is present in this organ. The new console in '58 was apparently the first work by AeolianSkinner- *after Harrison's death in '56.

I believe the first actual pipework expansions by Aeolian-Skinner went in in 1963.

a55b47-- so is the Tuba Mirabalis the nice, high pressure reed in the first bars of the piece forward (if you think the chamade doesn't kick in until 1:40?)? Skinner could definitely do tubas!

[a55b47]

Don't know for sure about the Tuba Mirabilis -- I suspect that's what we're hearing, from the triforium above the main organ case on the north side (I think). Unfortunately, I recorded this from an old radio broadcast, & it didn't provide a whole lot of information. I've got my fingers crossed about how they've treated all those great old Skinner reeds (including another Tuba Mirabilis, as I recall) in the St. John the Divine restoration in NYC.

[Gball223]

a55b47-

I think you're right on the money about the St John the Divine. What Harrison calls the Tuba Major in that organ I think was the original Skinner Tuba Mirabalis...revamped and worked on by Harrison and just given a new name.

[ARFRC1]

Thanks for the info.

Diane Bish has taught me well and ultimately I received the highest award from the American Guild of Organists in 2001.

I played was in London at Westminister Abbey to Honor the Queen's Anniversary.

So, from an organist to another, I wish you many more years at the console.

[ARFRC1]

Thanks,

In the video you can't tell, but I am sure that this organ is amazing.

I have not heard it, but Diane Bish, my mentor and close friend, has played all over the world and I recall her saying the world's largest is in Germany, 15 stories high.

Couldn't proove it by me, I only have played in Helena, MT and on Tabernacle in SLC, UT.

[a55b47]

Actually, the largest organ in EUROPE is in Germany-- Passau Cathedral, to be precise. I've uploaded 3 videos of it. The largest in the WORLD is in Atlantic City, NJ, with the Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia running a close 2nd. Very little of the Atlantic City organ is operative, & very few recordings have been made as a result. The Wanamaker instrument has been almost fully restored after a disastrous couple of decades.

[ARFRC1]

WOW!!

This was well played and sounded awesome. This organ looked small, but the sound, the sound was outstanding.

This organ would be compared to our masonic grand lodge in Helena, MT. However, the sound is not the same as this organ, but just as prestigious.

PS - Keep up the good work.

[a55b47]

The organ looks small? Don't be deceived by the organ case -- there are pipes all around the choir at the triforium level, & another case just as large on the other side of the choir. The 155 stops & 186 ranks make it the 18th-largest pipe organ in the world.

[Nosteratees]

Very nice. Certainly sent tingles down my spine.

Listen to this and know that we truely are more than just another member of the animal kingdom.

[ozricii]

But we are just another member of the animal kingdom, simply the most evolved.

[bucyaj2]

of course, thats your opinion (since you believe the lie of evolution). I however feel differently.

[ozricii]

So you're saying that humans are not the most evolved animal. An interesting notion.

[bucyaj2]

well, I must say, I wonder sometimes when I read comments like yours.

And no, we are not "evolved", neither are we "animals". I believe we are created beings, higher than the animals, with souls with which we are to serve God.

Just an opinion of course,I expect some aggressive disagreement but that is fine :)

[ozricii]

I'm not an aggressive person. But as you wonder about people 'like me' I wonder about religious people 'like you'. We'll simply have to agree to disagree and get on with life (It's the only one I've got!)

[bucyaj2]

I can live with that :)

[meltdowncity]

THAT WAS AMAZING, WOW!!!!

[Jerstef]

i grew up at ft. meade while my dad was the bandmaster of the 1st Army Band. I grew up with this song, only hearing it though with brass a percussion. never would have thought this piece would sound so great on such a powerful instrument. fantastic!!!

[acoustics101]

Bravo! Awesome performance.

[2468HOTROD]

Beautiful and thank you!

[theblackhand2]

The trumpet enchemade on this organ can't be beat when it comes to the majesty of their sound. I know that most of the Skinner's pipe work will be included in the pending organ rebuild. I praying that these trumpet stops will be included. Thanks for posting.

[a55b47]

See my comment on another thread. They're keeping 40 of the existing 189 ranks.

[wheidelberg]

Why was the decision made to keep only 40 of the 189? Sounds as if it will not be the same instrument, or is this a return to a previous state?

[a55b47]

It definitely won't be the smae instrument, & it won't be a reversion to a purer Skinner; it will be something completely different. I don't know how they decided which 40 ranks to keep; maybe that will make itself apparent when we hear the new organ(s).

[octave4]

Likely it will be one of these emasculated neo baroque fad organs. Too many magnificent organs have fallen victim to fad anf fancy of people who dream that they know more than people like Skinner, Harrison and the like wjp can trace their lineage back to some of the finest builders in the US and England. Ignorance can be cured but stupid is forever

[andyofvermont]

Octave4, nope, very unlikely that this organ will be neo-baroque. There is virtually nothing left in the NC organ from Skinner and Harrison. The few ranks being kept are the ones that are. The new organ will almost certainly be typical of organs of today with a more symphonic bent. Probably true that it won't be purer skinner, but far closer than now. Except maybe the tracker that is also going in, no idea the plan with that one.

[NortheastOrganist]

The trompette en chamade sounds very buzzy.

[a55b47]

Your point being...?

[NortheastOrganist]

It doesn't sound stately, like a trompette en chamade should.

[accousticdecay]

Totally awsome. I attended church there one Sunday a few years ago and was very impressed with the organ. I never got to play it, although I tried to got to the organist before the tours started.

[sullyboy]

What a treasure you've given us with your vids...I grew up at National Cathedral (Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul)some 40 years ago, and now get chills seeing the "finished product" of the finished building, and yes, listening to the "state trumpet" as you so aptly put it...Ain't it a peach! Sully in Boston. Thanks

[a55b47]

I said this in reply to another comment, & I'll say it here: I've been visiting the cathedral intermittently for almost 40 years (I live just across the river), & every time I walk up to the building, I'm awestruck. It's one of the great edficies of Western Civilization.

[GBJPhotoWorks]

I couldn't agree with you more. I was first introduced to WNC as a child, and have been studying it ever since. I'm now a Cathedral employee, volunteer, docent and considered something of an expert and I am still amazed on arrival everyday, and see something I've never seen before almost as often. See my "Stained Light" video.

[jmeister321684]

My favourite interpretation of this piece is Dorothy Papadakos's at St-John-the-Divine on GOONY (1996 Great Organ of New York)

[a55b47]

Yeah, you can't beat those old State Trumpets for sheer hair-raising effect. I still remember the first time I heard them in the mid-1960's. It was one of my organ epiphanies -- along with hearing Virgil Fox play Louis Vierne at Riverside.