I saw him perform when I was in college in the early 70's and remember the performance to this day. He stunned an auditorium of college kids. He had so much fun and I can promise you, the crowd was impressed in the days of Rock N Roll! Thank God for YouTube and the ability to easily watch his performances again!
i got a record of his immortal performances part 2 and its signed, does anyone know if that was common for them to be signed, like computer generated? or could it be legit?
enjoyed this. This was in the old church building before they built the Crystal Cathedral, they had a nicepipe organ in there too. I have a recording that Virgil Fox did about the time this was done,at a concert he did on this organ, I believe it says it was done in 1979
Virgil Rules!! When this was recorded he was sick and died not very long after. He designed this magnificent organ yet never got to play it finished as he died prior completion. These performances were arranged because he knew he wasn't going to make it. Those on here moaning about his mistakes ... get your ass on the bench and do better. I dare you.
I always enjoy listening to the late, great Virgil Fox. Has anybody on this site ever read, "The Dish" by Richard Torrence (who died earlier this year), and Marshall Yaeger? This book was based on a memoir by the late Ted Alan Worth. It was a very interesting book. I'm also sorry that Virgil departed this world so soon!
David, do write me back would love to hear from you. Are you still in Canada ? Earle Goodwin, Jollyst "dot" nicholas at earthlink "dot' net Often talk with Bill Tilson who is now living in Florida..we are all getting older..ugh ! but still playing.
OMG, David Snyder how are you. It has been so many many years that have passed when we all had such good times with Virgil at Riverside. Those late evenings on Friday nights in the church while Virgil played on into the wee hours of the morning. Remember when folks in Giffered Hall used to telephone about 1 AM saying that the organ was under there bed... as was one of the chambers so close to the dorm. He would turn off that section and continue playing. Bobby Hebble, Bill Tilson, You, & Earle
@Vaankar456 Just because YOU CAN'T play this good or wish you did or you haven't a musical ear.....keep your opinions to yourself. Or if you don't like it, go to another YouTube page, or better yet, just leave the website!! Virgil Fox was the greatest organist of the 20th century and he helped thousands, maybe millions, of people appreciate classical music where if they'd heard it on the radio instead, they wouldn't probably give it a second thought!! He had FUN everywhere he played!
@dswasley Having fun is not playing horrible, if he had fun while it, i am happy he was. My opinion wont change, however. I am entitled to it and I proudly say it. If you dont wish to read other type of comments aside positive ones, then i suggest you do this: "keep your opinions to yourself. Or if you don't like it, go to another YouTube page, or better yet, just leave the website!! "
I certain hope all the good, spiritual people here will overlook the fact that Virgil was -quite- gay. That had no impact on his playing, or perhaps it did? Cameron Carpenter, the young organist that is just as flamboyant and possibly as talented as Fox is also -quite- gay. Fascinating, eh?
It has come to my attention that there are a number of young students unable to continue their study because of financial hardship. May I ask,if you,who can,,to consider sending a donation in the memory of Virgil Fox for his 100th birthday,to the American Guild of Organist in NY City,to assist students needing help. He would be so very glad and you could do nothing more pleasing to honour his memory.
This May 3, 2012 we will celebrate Virgil's 100th birthday. YES,,can you imagine?. Lets make it special. I'm asking everyone to request now the Post Office to put out the special stamp to honour him. In 1981 I asked,and the said yes but that he needed to be "demised" longer. Well,lets DO IT!
@RaymoTheFox Mr. Carpenter is an ODD nay BIZARRE, man with attention getting as the goal with the music as an enabler to draw attention, in effect a whore who needs a soundtrack to be framed, that's all he/it is. As to be suspected, when you simply listen, without the strange man's androgynous flavored ego to watch, the musicianship is non-existent, but it never was there to begin with. And, it accomplished it's goal - to get you, who worship the perverse, to watch. You fell for it.
@cnmmnc8852 Virgil would have LOVED Cameron Carpenter! He certainly loved his protege, Ted Alan Worth, and Virgil LOVED drama in music. All gay performers do!
@adamslacks First: Don't assume for anyone who can't speak for themselves. Secondly: Is the music more important than the predilections of the performer?
Virgil Fox is one of the two greatest modern organists of the 20th century, the other being E. Power Biggs. The two of them had very different styles, yet each in his own way was magnificient. Thank you for posting this video - I had never seen Fox speak, and to have a face for the voice I know so well is great.
Virgil Fox is one of the two greatest modern organists of the 20th century, the other being E. Power Biggs. The two of them had very different styles, yet each in his own way was magnificient. Thank you for posting this video - I had never seen Fox speak, and to have a face for the voice I know so well is great.
just pointing out some things: religion + music = nothing alike. also: i asked this to a man who was muslim once: me: Men are origin from ape-species. Muslim: No its not, allah (god) made us. Me: How do you know? Muslim: Says so in the koran. Me: Who wrote the koran? Muslim: humans. Me: Maybe they lied? lying is free, and possible. Muslim: No it is written so it is the truth. Me: then how do you explain the bones in the ground of our ancestors and dinosaurs? Muslim: failed here.
Amazing. What pleases me most about this video is the obvious joy in his face as he plays. I know this was taped not long before he passed. Despite age and disease he was a wizard. If there is a heaven, I'm sure Mr. Fox is the head organist .
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Simply the greatest organist, ever.....period. I met you in Dallas, TX during the Intermission to Virgil's show with the DSO and I appreciated all the "behind the scenes" work you did during VF's show(s). I saw 5 performances and still - - we are talking about Dr. Fox some 30 years after his untimely death. Truly amazing.
I am astounded at why the private life of Dr. Fox is of such interest to some,specially by those who seem to swallow the spoons-full of swill from the dish. It is interesting how his private life is assailed after he is dead and cant defend himself. It seems to me the slanderous garbage comes from certain "wanted-to-bee" concert organist-failures. Rather than muse over what is no ones business perhaps more time spent practising at the organ is time better spent. Believe me he loved women!
That might be so, however it not the fact that one is with same sex tendancys that makes being gay wrong its acting out and giving into them. I don't know much about the man except what I see on the web, and that he commanded the organ often playing the Winnamaker organ at what is now Macys in Philly, it is the second largest organ by amount of pipes in the world. and from what I hear when he plays in these videos, he really could make that organ sweat something not many organists can do.
@robertgift That must have been what happened. But after reading your last comment, and thinking about it last night, I come to realize that I was thinking about Fred Swann. Is HE still around?
WOW I am so surprised that the critics on here actually have the "balls" to actually point out the "mistakes" when thousands yes thousands of notes are correct and you have no idea what went on before the performance making an effect. VF is amazing. Why do we want to hear this piece or any other for that matter sound all the same?What a bore if it were that way! Great note perfect and so what! I find the interpuraton his own and interesting that is what is neat about it. THANKS VF and youtube!
@Deathss81 In my humble opinion my friend, you are a wise and far-seeing soul. Sadly so many can not see what you do,,and you are absolutely 100% right on. Bless you.
no one has ever approached the genius of this singularly gifted man who simply loved music and wanted to expose the classical organ to EVERYONE!! in a way, he was the mario lanza of the art organ world and was villefied because he dared to bridge that gap. i had a heated argument with one of my teachers back in college because i tried to infuse some of virgil's interpretation into a bach prelude and fugue i was studying. "it's just not done that way" was all my teacher could offer. pretty lame.
If it help you to know,Virgil taught his students two ways. The first,how to play the organ to win a contest judged by musical purists and then,, how to play the organ to get a top paying job and to play a concert people will pay money to hear and will actually draw them back to hear them again. Virgil was emphatic his students learn the "rules of music",and only then he explained,did they have" the right to break them" in good taste but" based on the laws of the art of the organ.
My God... to criticize from armchairs this man who has led so many to classical music...this man who transcended the formulaic performances of so many.
Them as can, do... them as can't, criticize!!! Vigil was one of the great organists of our time and because you do not agree with his interpretation does not change the fact of his virtuosity.
Keith Chapman played it even faster than VF. It's one of the simplest toccatas in the repertoire. The patterns are/should be very easy to 'see through'. The Gigout toccata isn't that hard to negotiate either.
@cnmmnc8852 No arguing,,Keith Chapman was a great organist,a great man and a dear friend to Virgil and me. May I suggest,,sometimes the organist may adjust the tempo to facilitate the instrument,or other external forces. This adjustment does not violate the musical integrity in any way.Speed is not always the goal even if it is possible.Perhaps you would send us your performance of the Gigout toccata. I's like to see what issues you are "seeing through"
@DavidSnyderLumierist VF could play it at any tempo he pleased, there was an architecture behind every phrase he played. When was the last time we heard "Phrasing" in the organ world? Remember when the Wanamaker organ didn't even have a combination action? I remember Keith Chapman running his thumb horizontally thru the stoptabs while I was playing. I had to learn the Gigout early on. No recording device so far, so all the organ trolls will have to nitpick someone else's playing.GOOD TO HEAR YOU
@DavidSnyderLumierist If you get a chance look up Keith Chapman playing the Harmonie du Soir of Karg-Elert on youtube. Like floating over the Seine at Twilight...
@cnmmnc8852 Outstanding performance by Keith. He was a great artist,friend and consumate musician. My,we still miss him. Perhaps its true that only the good die young.
Gosh this is so bad, really, he doesnt even have sustain on the notes, they just come and go and sounds so tetric and disturbing. Such a majestic instrument wasted on such bad hands, really.
This is just a blur. That is the problem here. It is hard to take in the views of the countryside at 500MPH the same goes for music.
This was a sign of the times though, with all of the jazz organ and theater Wurlitzer work speed was king.
I think this is a great performance for the time. I also think that we are now in a time where people again appreciate the original work and tempo without trying to jazz everything up.
I can remember Virgil Fox playing this piece and the Toccata from Symphony Concertante in practice for the dedication concert at Garden Grove (this was before the Crystal Cathedral was built). I was standing outside the church (I attended there then) watching the large windows move like speaker cones with the 32ft. pedal. Quite an experience!
WHY are so many organists such FETISHISTS about mistakes? When we start evaluating the worth of ANY performance based on how many mistakes were made (or perceived), we are embracing a death-dealing Pharisee spirit. Is that what music-making should be about?
I heard no mistakes whatsoever! Great speed and amazing talent from a cancer-stricken man, and still the strongest organist that ever lived, and will live. I have been a fan my entire life. Yes, the microphone placement sounds off, but if i were there while he were playing it live, It would have been the most amazing concert ever. Virgil NEVER made mistakes! HE accomplished more than I ever will musically He is the most talented man I have ever heard of. This deserves more that 5 stars.
this was in the original GG comunity Church - when it became the Crystal Cathedral that Rufatti organ was combined with another one to become the "Hazel Wright" in the Cathedral. The old church became a dining hall and has its own organ (I believe from a church in Hollywood that got damaged in an earthquake.. Hour of power has been on the air for a LONG time.
I was parked in the"drive in" part of the GG comunity church when this concert took place.
@solong36 True. Virgil rebuilt,,added to, the "old" Ruffatti in the now dining hall. It became the Hazel Wright Organ and has the original pipes, plus the organ from Virgil home in Englewood and from Old South Church in Boston, plus a lot of additional pipework. The console has been changed and or replaced from his design. I worked on the design along side with him so I know.
@Xerox6085I My, oh my,,Yes Roger Hardesty is a name I know,respect and admire.I suspect his talent has only thrived since I lost contact with him before 1980. He was and is admired and talented in the art of Organ building and I consider him,,a national treasure in that field. I hope he is well,,somewhere.
Merry Christmas to you, Thank you for remembering his name to me.
Thank You so much , I just knew I wasn't crazy, so where is this console know if anyone knows? When did they chang it the current one used in the telecast.? So I got questions LOL but I always was taught that if you don't then ask!
@shela2 Shela,,he was radiant. He had dreams of a great organ,,bigger than anything he ever had played,,yet to come! You are seeing in him,, his vision of his life after death with his Christ, his master,as he knew he was shortly to die, and that the organ he was to build to the Glory of God, for his friend Robert Schuller. He like Moses I suppose,,would never "enter therein" but he saw it yet ahead,,in his visions. He told me of them many times. Go ahead a weep my friend,,tears justly shed.
I have never heard the toccata played better: he keeps perfect timing throughout - almost all others show down as they enter the second section, and it loses impetus. It really is fiery here!
This was a very sick man, dying from cancer. Still tried to play as he did all his life. His accomplishments at the console of any organ are countless. His ability to play everything from memory is a feat in itself. So when he makes a so called mistake, I can only say I wish I could play just like him!
@gatorpa2002 Thank you. It is sad and cruel that other organist's feel that they can poke fun and pick at will the STUPIDEST things just to show "how much they think they know" LOL and be mean spitited about it. When people pick at me. I tell them where to go and directions on how to get there! LOL No wonder lots of organist are NOT liked nor have lots of friends because of the snotty attitudes. Some of the people in my career need to get a life and stop tearing others apart.
@gatorpa2002 I just found your comment. Thank you so much for your great kindness in compassion. I was there when he played this. It still fills me with awe,,but then everything about the man did,,and to think,,I worked with and for him for 17 years.
I did spot a nice staccato touch through all the slips and sloppy playing. But after all this is Virgil Fox, a great guy. I'll let him get away with this. It's not as bad. One thing though... Boëllmann was not organist at St. Augustin (Gigout was organist there) but at St. Vincent-de-Paul. All is forgiven ;) 4*
One might keep in mind,that at the time Virgil played in the Crystal Caedral, he was only several months away from his date of transition and suffering horribly with end stage bone cancer. I was there I worked side by side for and with him for 19 years and I alone knew but was abiding by his wish of non disclosure. Yes,he may have missed a few notes!
Das ist eine große Show und nichts, aber absolut rein gar nichts dahinter! Die Registrierung ist unbeschreiblich schlecht, die aufnahme ebenso, kein gefühl und nichts.
Mein Computerprogramm liefert mir sowas in besserer qualität und zwar fehlerfrei!
Bach - If alive today, would emmigrate to America for it's ability to look both backward and forward. Did he not lift music out of the doldrums to be appreciated by the masses? He would revel in the fact that his wonderful music has been kept not only alive, but current. Fox championed this and the current masses would have never considered Bach's genius without this approach.
Surround yourselves with the aged and purist ways and your company will be good, but JHB will be cheering and waving his arms at the variety with which his works can be and are enjoyed.
Not during his life, actually. My understanding of Bach was that during his lifetime, he was actually a second call composer because he wasn't following the popular trends of the time. Mind you, he was an expert at what he did do. Were it not for Felix Mendelssohn, he might have dissappeared into obscurity. This, of course, is not to discount his genius. Bach owns.
I couldn't agree more! I feel that not only would he compose organ music, that he would also compose electric music, maybe even echm, METAL! If you listen to many metal songs, you will hear traces of Bach floating around.
Interesting you should say that, because I ran the audio of this clip through Adobe Audition, slowed it WAY down, and followed the sheet music to what he was playing - and it came up totally accurate. This was in response to all the people previously saying that there are "tons of wrong notes".
What about them? I'm looking at my copy right now, and don't see/hear any "slips"...? Don't forget, the microphone placement on this video is horrid, where the pedal covers up most of the manual stuff, making it very difficult to discern what parts are what, and accuracy.
That they are there and throughout the whole performance. Dont blame microphone placement on slapdash playing. I think you'll find that the difficulty in discerning what parts are what and accuracy is a human thing and not an electronic one! Still, Virgil was a great entertainer and I'd rather hear him doing the biz than a clinical, overclean rendition.
@ATLKapellmeister I totally agree with you. If you listen to Widor at age 88 play his Toccata from the 5th on here you can hear his age playing on him. Organists are too critical these days. Sit back and enjoy the music. Instead of pointing out all the supposed mistakes simply post a recording of yourself on here to show us how its really done :)
@RonRizzy There ARE many misteaks in this performance. I've played this peice after mass many times and the many harmonic disruptions (which are NOT written in the Toccata) stick out like a sore thumb. The Microphone isn't an excuse, and if you really needed Adobe Audition to slow this piece down chances are you are not going to be able to hear the mistakes anyways!
@CantusMaximus Since I just KNOW you are going to reply to this. At 0:47 (M.9 in the score) Virgil's finger slips, he plays D flat instead of the written c, at 0:49 (M.10) he completely fudges the second position D minor chord, at 0:50 (M.11) not only does he play a Bnatural instead of the first C in the right hand but plays a G flat instead of a G natural. At measure 18 1:01 instead of the last written F natural in the right hand he plays a E. Most of these misteaks sound like grace notes.
@CantusMaximus My,aren't weproud? I'm an organist and a critical care RN. At the time he played this, MORE mistakes were to be expected. If you had a mild pneumonia, would you have attempted this in front of any audience? AND done as "poorly"? Doubtful. I left the bench for my current calling (far more technical I may add) because of people with either numb ears or numb senses of what is correct.
C'est quoi cette caricature ? le pauvre Leon doit se retourner dans sa tombe...aucune âme dans cette interpretation, il a un train à prendre le présentateur de talk-show ??
If someone lives in Montreal, QC, Canada Go to Saint Joseph's Oratory Of Mont-Royal Every Sunday at the Basilica at 3:30 p.m. (Free) Organ Concert and it is amazing one of the beggest churches in the world and the most expensive organs
I play this piece at this tempo. It sounds like the microphones are right next to the pipes so you can hear every little slip on this clip. We must remember that Youtube does no real justice to the players' performances other than a great record of an era long gone.
he plays it at a pace that is not too slow-you can hear the melody clearly. this guy rocks the church! he knows what he's doing here. im impressed the organ can keep up!
TOO FUNNY!!! Thank God we've seen the light in interpretation! Damn! Did he go to starbucks before he played. So fast it killed the work! He must have been on speed!
All I know of Cameron Carpenter is a few of his youtube videos. I think his technique is ASTONISHING. But i think that his musicianship is still developing. In this way he is very much like Virgil. If you are able to hear some of Virgils very earliest recordings, you would never know that it was him from the musical interpretation point of view. (Check out the Pipe Dreams show where they play his early recording at Girard, for example)
I'm a lifetime lover of Virgil Fox. Yes, this is too fast for a recording. But live... it must have been a lot of fun. After all, the composition isn't exactly complex. It's a sort of romp. He bores us not!!!
You got that right! All his critics, many of them so untalented, that they tried to justify any means in order to enter the house of music. Quote - unquote!
xD Wow, this is just SO "Virgil Foxish". To you all: You should keep in mind, that Virgil didn´t intend to play historicaly correct or "in the style of...". He wanted to have a big show, he wanted to have "action"! Shure it is stunningly fast but thats the way he played and nevertheless he plays correctly! However it would have no effect to play it on 100 on a metrono as intended, especially with this desert-dry atmosphere in this room.
Virigil Fox was a showman and first class organist. One should know his legacy and what he did for the awareness of the organ internationally. If only we could all play like he did
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I don't normally comment on youtube videos, but this is awful. As an asst. organist of a catherdral I do know to each his own, but this goes beyond bad. Way way way to fast.
you have to put into consideration on how sick Virgil was at the time he had played this, if he had played this in the early 70's mabey it would have been a bit better.
look at Virgil's face at about 2:48! This man walked with the angels. he wanted to thrill people by letting them in on the music that he heard on the inside.
In his last few years, he was having a little trouble with his technique. As people have commented over and over, his health was very precarious. But the MUSIC! Not the notes, but the music. That was what mattered to him.
This console was indeed in the South Balcony of The Crystal Cathedral prior to the acquisition of the current Möller console. The Ruffatti console was always a five-manual; however, you may be confusing it with the four-manual Ruffatti console which Virgil plays in San Francisco's St. Mary's Cathedral in another video.
Was this the same console that used to be in the balcony prior to the Moller console? I remember seeing a console in the balcony with stop tabs on it but it had four manuals.
So many people want to place organ music in a box and demand that it be played a certain way. NOT SO!! This is why Virgil was so successful and so many other were (are) not. Virgil made music. The recording technique used here is terrible but the music remains. As for the "purist" quote paladin313, be careful. Until your video performing this piece appears on the internet, I'd suggest you watch how you throw the phrase "can't do it" around.
I would agree that Cameron Carpenter is an absolutely incredible organist who is in some ways, following in Virgil's footsteps. However, I think it is unfair to classify him as a reincarnation of Virgil as in some ways he may actually be better. Please remember that Cameron is in his prime and I only heard Virgil play in the last 8 years of his life. That having been said, the "Pictures at an Exhibition" CD that Cameron made on M&O Opus 1 is a flat out display of musical genius!
It's funny, Ron, msdl63 reminds me of the people that Virgil Fox himself described and despised: the purist. He said, and I quote, "You all know what I think of the purists: the purists are the ones who talk about it and can't do it!"
I saw him perform when I was in college in the early 70's and remember the performance to this day. He stunned an auditorium of college kids. He had so much fun and I can promise you, the crowd was impressed in the days of Rock N Roll! Thank God for YouTube and the ability to easily watch his performances again!
jwjwjw1000 1 hour ago
he looks like the lovechild of dracula,liberache and jess yates - freeeekin freeeeky
tartandaddy 6 days ago
I havent played a pipe organ in soooooooo long, I dont think I remeber how! Love the vid, he was an awesome muscian!
FBHOrganist 3 weeks ago
lotta notes. he's fantastic.
jill506 3 weeks ago
i got a record of his immortal performances part 2 and its signed, does anyone know if that was common for them to be signed, like computer generated? or could it be legit?
MatthewRueth 1 month ago
@MatthewRueth / Matt, Virgil signed his albums with glee. He was always happy to meet his public. He was a wonderful man. Susan
Tintalbraz 1 month ago
enjoyed this. This was in the old church building before they built the Crystal Cathedral, they had a nicepipe organ in there too. I have a recording that Virgil Fox did about the time this was done,at a concert he did on this organ, I believe it says it was done in 1979
califdad4 2 months ago
Virgil Rules!! When this was recorded he was sick and died not very long after. He designed this magnificent organ yet never got to play it finished as he died prior completion. These performances were arranged because he knew he wasn't going to make it. Those on here moaning about his mistakes ... get your ass on the bench and do better. I dare you.
Sfrussell1963 2 months ago 2
I LOVE VIRGIL FOX........
MyPhil1967 2 months ago
I always enjoy listening to the late, great Virgil Fox. Has anybody on this site ever read, "The Dish" by Richard Torrence (who died earlier this year), and Marshall Yaeger? This book was based on a memoir by the late Ted Alan Worth. It was a very interesting book. I'm also sorry that Virgil departed this world so soon!
m139139 2 months ago
Wonderful & fiery. Every note is clear!
musicalhotcha 3 months ago
David, do write me back would love to hear from you. Are you still in Canada ? Earle Goodwin, Jollyst "dot" nicholas at earthlink "dot' net Often talk with Bill Tilson who is now living in Florida..we are all getting older..ugh ! but still playing.
mountainsong100 3 months ago
OMG, David Snyder how are you. It has been so many many years that have passed when we all had such good times with Virgil at Riverside. Those late evenings on Friday nights in the church while Virgil played on into the wee hours of the morning. Remember when folks in Giffered Hall used to telephone about 1 AM saying that the organ was under there bed... as was one of the chambers so close to the dorm. He would turn off that section and continue playing. Bobby Hebble, Bill Tilson, You, & Earle
mountainsong100 3 months ago
HORRIBLE!!
Vaankar456 3 months ago
@Vaankar456 Just because YOU CAN'T play this good or wish you did or you haven't a musical ear.....keep your opinions to yourself. Or if you don't like it, go to another YouTube page, or better yet, just leave the website!! Virgil Fox was the greatest organist of the 20th century and he helped thousands, maybe millions, of people appreciate classical music where if they'd heard it on the radio instead, they wouldn't probably give it a second thought!! He had FUN everywhere he played!
dswasley 1 month ago
@dswasley Having fun is not playing horrible, if he had fun while it, i am happy he was. My opinion wont change, however. I am entitled to it and I proudly say it. If you dont wish to read other type of comments aside positive ones, then i suggest you do this: "keep your opinions to yourself. Or if you don't like it, go to another YouTube page, or better yet, just leave the website!! "
Vaankar456 1 month ago
I certain hope all the good, spiritual people here will overlook the fact that Virgil was -quite- gay. That had no impact on his playing, or perhaps it did? Cameron Carpenter, the young organist that is just as flamboyant and possibly as talented as Fox is also -quite- gay. Fascinating, eh?
adamslacks 3 months ago
It has come to my attention that there are a number of young students unable to continue their study because of financial hardship. May I ask,if you,who can,,to consider sending a donation in the memory of Virgil Fox for his 100th birthday,to the American Guild of Organist in NY City,to assist students needing help. He would be so very glad and you could do nothing more pleasing to honour his memory.
David Snyder, Lumierist
Creator of Heavy Organ Touring Productions
DavidSnyderLumierist 4 months ago
This May 3, 2012 we will celebrate Virgil's 100th birthday. YES,,can you imagine?. Lets make it special. I'm asking everyone to request now the Post Office to put out the special stamp to honour him. In 1981 I asked,and the said yes but that he needed to be "demised" longer. Well,lets DO IT!
David Snyder, Lumierist.
DavidSnyderLumierist 4 months ago
He knew that Jesus is the son of the Creator.
garebear1015 6 months ago
not gonna lie. I admire this guy's passion. yeah he gets mixed reviews. nevertheless, this guy is fucking talented.
babysmuggler 8 months ago
My god...this guys interpretation is literally orgasmic.
Maxpound 8 months ago
Slightly off topic, but you should Google Cameron Carpenter if you want to see someone who more than rivals Virgil or E Power Biggs.
RaymoTheFox 8 months ago
@RaymoTheFox
I'd be willing to bet he got a lot of his inspiration from those two men.
jmcinvale 6 months ago
@RaymoTheFox Mr. Carpenter is an ODD nay BIZARRE, man with attention getting as the goal with the music as an enabler to draw attention, in effect a whore who needs a soundtrack to be framed, that's all he/it is. As to be suspected, when you simply listen, without the strange man's androgynous flavored ego to watch, the musicianship is non-existent, but it never was there to begin with. And, it accomplished it's goal - to get you, who worship the perverse, to watch. You fell for it.
cnmmnc8852 5 months ago
@cnmmnc8852 Virgil would have LOVED Cameron Carpenter! He certainly loved his protege, Ted Alan Worth, and Virgil LOVED drama in music. All gay performers do!
adamslacks 3 months ago
@adamslacks First: Don't assume for anyone who can't speak for themselves. Secondly: Is the music more important than the predilections of the performer?
cnmmnc8852 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
A homosexual man knows he has a Creator.
garebear1015 8 months ago
I Love his work! Virgil Fox was a real master! at no time does his fingers leave his hands!
dustermouse 9 months ago
Virgil Fox is one of the two greatest modern organists of the 20th century, the other being E. Power Biggs. The two of them had very different styles, yet each in his own way was magnificient. Thank you for posting this video - I had never seen Fox speak, and to have a face for the voice I know so well is great.
richw9090 9 months ago
Virgil Fox is one of the two greatest modern organists of the 20th century, the other being E. Power Biggs. The two of them had very different styles, yet each in his own way was magnificient. Thank you for posting this video - I had never seen Fox speak, and to have a face for the voice I know so well is great.
richw9090 9 months ago
What a passionate performance!
DrDrosophila 9 months ago
bolawarrior 9 months ago
@bolawarrior What the heck has that to do with this great music? I don't like Muslims either, but really, why?
An0niempje 7 months ago
Amazing. What pleases me most about this video is the obvious joy in his face as he plays. I know this was taped not long before he passed. Despite age and disease he was a wizard. If there is a heaven, I'm sure Mr. Fox is the head organist .
Sfrussell1963 10 months ago
@Sfrussell1963 Thank you for your kind reply about Dr. Fox. I and may appreciate your spiritual truth.
blessings
David Snyder, Lumierist
Creator of Heavy Organ Touring Production
DavidSnyderLumierist 4 months ago
Wow he really attacks this..
eliotcantsing 10 months ago
This was in what is now the Arboretum, right?
bishfan 10 months ago
@bishfan That is correct. The former church is now used as a multipurpose facility, including receptions, etc. Still very beautiful.
pipeorganpraise 9 months ago
@DavidSnyderLumierist -
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Simply the greatest organist, ever.....period. I met you in Dallas, TX during the Intermission to Virgil's show with the DSO and I appreciated all the "behind the scenes" work you did during VF's show(s). I saw 5 performances and still - - we are talking about Dr. Fox some 30 years after his untimely death. Truly amazing.
cowboypainthorse 10 months ago
I am astounded at why the private life of Dr. Fox is of such interest to some,specially by those who seem to swallow the spoons-full of swill from the dish. It is interesting how his private life is assailed after he is dead and cant defend himself. It seems to me the slanderous garbage comes from certain "wanted-to-bee" concert organist-failures. Rather than muse over what is no ones business perhaps more time spent practising at the organ is time better spent. Believe me he loved women!
DavidSnyderLumierist 11 months ago
Virgil Fox has made me question about homo-sexuality.Virgil has allways knowned Jesus is his saviour.-no doubt.
garebear1015 11 months ago
That might be so, however it not the fact that one is with same sex tendancys that makes being gay wrong its acting out and giving into them. I don't know much about the man except what I see on the web, and that he commanded the organ often playing the Winnamaker organ at what is now Macys in Philly, it is the second largest organ by amount of pipes in the world. and from what I hear when he plays in these videos, he really could make that organ sweat something not many organists can do.
manga12 11 months ago
@garebear1015 yes - go on......
paulbinko 11 months ago
he still praised Jesus
garebear1015 1 year ago
Cameron Carpenter is better.
VD54K 1 year ago
There will NEVER be another organist like Virgil Fox to play the any organ to it's full capacity any where..........
MrClaudeholmes 1 year ago 2
Virgil was so much fun.
Wish he had lived longer.
I'd hurt myself trying to play this this fast.
robertgift 1 year ago 8
@robertgift id hurt myself trying to play it with any speed...
onotuoedaul 4 months ago
@onotuoedaul No. Just start out with a metronome at a slow enough tempo to get everything perfect.
Then gradually speed metronome up as it holds you to keeping it perfect. Go back to original speed.
Once mastered you can play athe correct speed. Some play too fast. Others get sloppy.
I continue the ornaments throughouthis magnificent work. Wish Virgil had.
Great idea David! Thank you.
robertgift 4 months ago
@robertgift When did Virgil Fox pass away? I could have sworn I just saw him on "The Hour Of Power" just a few years ago.
Oaklandgirlpitlover1 1 month ago
@Oaklandgirlpitlover1 Virgil died October 25th, 1980. Was born May 3rd, 1912.
Perhaps the Hour of Power rebroadcast the program in which Virgil was featured. The Crystal Cathedral had not been built.
Wish thathe prostate cancer had been discovered earlier. Maybe with treatment he could have lived longer.
But he DID live a long, fun and fruitful life.
robertgift 1 month ago
@robertgift That must have been what happened. But after reading your last comment, and thinking about it last night, I come to realize that I was thinking about Fred Swann. Is HE still around?
Oaklandgirlpitlover1 1 month ago
WOW I am so surprised that the critics on here actually have the "balls" to actually point out the "mistakes" when thousands yes thousands of notes are correct and you have no idea what went on before the performance making an effect. VF is amazing. Why do we want to hear this piece or any other for that matter sound all the same?What a bore if it were that way! Great note perfect and so what! I find the interpuraton his own and interesting that is what is neat about it. THANKS VF and youtube!
TheMercguy 1 year ago 8
Do you see how the instrument and the musician may be one? Do you see that isn't the musician moves his hands, but his heart and love for music?
Deathss81 1 year ago 4
@Deathss81 In my humble opinion my friend, you are a wise and far-seeing soul. Sadly so many can not see what you do,,and you are absolutely 100% right on. Bless you.
David Snyder Lumierist
DavidSnyderLumierist 11 months ago
no one has ever approached the genius of this singularly gifted man who simply loved music and wanted to expose the classical organ to EVERYONE!! in a way, he was the mario lanza of the art organ world and was villefied because he dared to bridge that gap. i had a heated argument with one of my teachers back in college because i tried to infuse some of virgil's interpretation into a bach prelude and fugue i was studying. "it's just not done that way" was all my teacher could offer. pretty lame.
jgraif 1 year ago
@jgraif
If it help you to know,Virgil taught his students two ways. The first,how to play the organ to win a contest judged by musical purists and then,, how to play the organ to get a top paying job and to play a concert people will pay money to hear and will actually draw them back to hear them again. Virgil was emphatic his students learn the "rules of music",and only then he explained,did they have" the right to break them" in good taste but" based on the laws of the art of the organ.
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago 2
My God... to criticize from armchairs this man who has led so many to classical music...this man who transcended the formulaic performances of so many.
Michaelis1100 1 year ago
Them as can, do... them as can't, criticize!!! Vigil was one of the great organists of our time and because you do not agree with his interpretation does not change the fact of his virtuosity.
billburton57 1 year ago
Keith Chapman played it even faster than VF. It's one of the simplest toccatas in the repertoire. The patterns are/should be very easy to 'see through'. The Gigout toccata isn't that hard to negotiate either.
cnmmnc8852 1 year ago
@cnmmnc8852 No arguing,,Keith Chapman was a great organist,a great man and a dear friend to Virgil and me. May I suggest,,sometimes the organist may adjust the tempo to facilitate the instrument,or other external forces. This adjustment does not violate the musical integrity in any way.Speed is not always the goal even if it is possible.Perhaps you would send us your performance of the Gigout toccata. I's like to see what issues you are "seeing through"
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
@DavidSnyderLumierist VF could play it at any tempo he pleased, there was an architecture behind every phrase he played. When was the last time we heard "Phrasing" in the organ world? Remember when the Wanamaker organ didn't even have a combination action? I remember Keith Chapman running his thumb horizontally thru the stoptabs while I was playing. I had to learn the Gigout early on. No recording device so far, so all the organ trolls will have to nitpick someone else's playing.GOOD TO HEAR YOU
cnmmnc8852 11 months ago
@DavidSnyderLumierist If you get a chance look up Keith Chapman playing the Harmonie du Soir of Karg-Elert on youtube. Like floating over the Seine at Twilight...
cnmmnc8852 11 months ago
@cnmmnc8852 Outstanding performance by Keith. He was a great artist,friend and consumate musician. My,we still miss him. Perhaps its true that only the good die young.
DavidSnyderLumierist 11 months ago
Gosh this is so bad, really, he doesnt even have sustain on the notes, they just come and go and sounds so tetric and disturbing. Such a majestic instrument wasted on such bad hands, really.
Vaankar456 1 year ago
a bit messy
steeeeevve 1 year ago
I can't help it. This is just a big mess! It's awful.
gurdyflowers 1 year ago
Virgil Fox is one of the earth erver best organ players
Spoonplayer 1 year ago
Stile americano un po' spantega...
minevolezza 1 year ago
This is just a blur. That is the problem here. It is hard to take in the views of the countryside at 500MPH the same goes for music.
This was a sign of the times though, with all of the jazz organ and theater Wurlitzer work speed was king.
I think this is a great performance for the time. I also think that we are now in a time where people again appreciate the original work and tempo without trying to jazz everything up.
aliasxr 1 year ago
holy shit he plays that fast! he does it well though!
KaptainKnoppers 1 year ago
Virgil Fox is my hero, my inspiration, and the reason for what I do and all others should accomplish as an organist :)
britandveg 1 year ago
I can remember Virgil Fox playing this piece and the Toccata from Symphony Concertante in practice for the dedication concert at Garden Grove (this was before the Crystal Cathedral was built). I was standing outside the church (I attended there then) watching the large windows move like speaker cones with the 32ft. pedal. Quite an experience!
521wurlitzer 1 year ago
WHY are so many organists such FETISHISTS about mistakes? When we start evaluating the worth of ANY performance based on how many mistakes were made (or perceived), we are embracing a death-dealing Pharisee spirit. Is that what music-making should be about?
horndiapason 1 year ago 4
Amazing!!
dparnell89 1 year ago
Yea, go ahead. Rag on Virgil. None of you will ever play anywhere near his level so get it out of your system now.
wurli815 1 year ago
@sk8er1979 Amen!
Contrubas 1 year ago
I heard no mistakes whatsoever! Great speed and amazing talent from a cancer-stricken man, and still the strongest organist that ever lived, and will live. I have been a fan my entire life. Yes, the microphone placement sounds off, but if i were there while he were playing it live, It would have been the most amazing concert ever. Virgil NEVER made mistakes! HE accomplished more than I ever will musically He is the most talented man I have ever heard of. This deserves more that 5 stars.
TheCurtthehurt 1 year ago
great technique and he is a master on the console . but he plays too fast which is not required and the beauty of the music is lost.
ZAQ1972 1 year ago
i don't like his interpretation, but you have to admire his technical ability!
dannypurtell 1 year ago
Congratulations GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!
heimdallist 1 year ago
Comment removed
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
jajaja no dios si no que esta bien bien jajaja
heimdallist 1 year ago
this was in the original GG comunity Church - when it became the Crystal Cathedral that Rufatti organ was combined with another one to become the "Hazel Wright" in the Cathedral. The old church became a dining hall and has its own organ (I believe from a church in Hollywood that got damaged in an earthquake.. Hour of power has been on the air for a LONG time.
I was parked in the"drive in" part of the GG comunity church when this concert took place.
solong36 1 year ago 2
@solong36 True. Virgil rebuilt,,added to, the "old" Ruffatti in the now dining hall. It became the Hazel Wright Organ and has the original pipes, plus the organ from Virgil home in Englewood and from Old South Church in Boston, plus a lot of additional pipework. The console has been changed and or replaced from his design. I worked on the design along side with him so I know.
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago 2
@DavidSnyderLumierist So.... does the name Roger Hardesty ring a bell to you?
Xerox6085I 1 year ago
@Xerox6085I My, oh my,,Yes Roger Hardesty is a name I know,respect and admire.I suspect his talent has only thrived since I lost contact with him before 1980. He was and is admired and talented in the art of Organ building and I consider him,,a national treasure in that field. I hope he is well,,somewhere.
Merry Christmas to you, Thank you for remembering his name to me.
Blessings:
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
This is not the smae organ I been seeing on Hour Powe telecast for the last 10 years, I know I'm not crazy someone educate me please!
happyorganist 1 year ago
true, this is the organ of the church in 1979 even the inside of the church is different !
Handel3 1 year ago
Thank You so much , I just knew I wasn't crazy, so where is this console know if anyone knows? When did they chang it the current one used in the telecast.? So I got questions LOL but I always was taught that if you don't then ask!
happyorganist 1 year ago
I am not sure , but if you look up the hazel Wright
Memorial Organ ,which is the organ that they have now, you could learn more about it and maybe what happen with the old one
Handel3 1 year ago
What an artist , He looks radiant ! Brings tears to my eyes...
shela2 2 years ago
@shela2 Shela,,he was radiant. He had dreams of a great organ,,bigger than anything he ever had played,,yet to come! You are seeing in him,, his vision of his life after death with his Christ, his master,as he knew he was shortly to die, and that the organ he was to build to the Glory of God, for his friend Robert Schuller. He like Moses I suppose,,would never "enter therein" but he saw it yet ahead,,in his visions. He told me of them many times. Go ahead a weep my friend,,tears justly shed.
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
I have never heard the toccata played better: he keeps perfect timing throughout - almost all others show down as they enter the second section, and it loses impetus. It really is fiery here!
zimnaya 2 years ago
this is really good organ playing
Jobro890 2 years ago 2
Mr Fox said "Musical Purists are the barnacles on the ship of Music"
At least he brought the love of organ music to the masses who otherwise probably never been in a church.
gabear143 2 years ago
RIP Virgil, you were a true great!
arthurkitchen 2 years ago 3
This was a very sick man, dying from cancer. Still tried to play as he did all his life. His accomplishments at the console of any organ are countless. His ability to play everything from memory is a feat in itself. So when he makes a so called mistake, I can only say I wish I could play just like him!
gatorpa2002 2 years ago 25
thank you for your kind comments and observation. It is deeply appreciated and justified Blessings friend
DavidSnyderLumierist 2 years ago
@DavidSnyderLumierist
thank you for your kindness and for the truth you speak.
God bless
DavidSnyderLumierist 2 years ago
@gatorpa2002 Thank you. It is sad and cruel that other organist's feel that they can poke fun and pick at will the STUPIDEST things just to show "how much they think they know" LOL and be mean spitited about it. When people pick at me. I tell them where to go and directions on how to get there! LOL No wonder lots of organist are NOT liked nor have lots of friends because of the snotty attitudes. Some of the people in my career need to get a life and stop tearing others apart.
ATLKapellmeister 1 year ago 2
@gatorpa2002 I just found your comment. Thank you so much for your great kindness in compassion. I was there when he played this. It still fills me with awe,,but then everything about the man did,,and to think,,I worked with and for him for 17 years.
Blessings my friend,,and Merry Christmas.
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
@gatorpa2002 I'd like to know just what he forgot :-)
bluecollarboiler 7 months ago
I did spot a nice staccato touch through all the slips and sloppy playing. But after all this is Virgil Fox, a great guy. I'll let him get away with this. It's not as bad. One thing though... Boëllmann was not organist at St. Augustin (Gigout was organist there) but at St. Vincent-de-Paul. All is forgiven ;) 4*
GJmusique 2 years ago
Comment removed
DavidSnyderLumierist 2 years ago
One might keep in mind,that at the time Virgil played in the Crystal Caedral, he was only several months away from his date of transition and suffering horribly with end stage bone cancer. I was there I worked side by side for and with him for 19 years and I alone knew but was abiding by his wish of non disclosure. Yes,he may have missed a few notes!
DavidSnyderLumierist 2 years ago
David, he always missed a few notes,it doesn't matter.
Bravura. He kicked ass, and pissed off the purists.
Regards to Ted, I was there too.
Too fast. Who are these idiots?
People who are devoid of emotion and
choose the pedantic road.
This is what Mr. Fox did. I doubt that the detractors can do better.
LorinTone 2 years ago 4
Das ist eine große Show und nichts, aber absolut rein gar nichts dahinter! Die Registrierung ist unbeschreiblich schlecht, die aufnahme ebenso, kein gefühl und nichts.
Mein Computerprogramm liefert mir sowas in besserer qualität und zwar fehlerfrei!
polsterj 2 years ago
Comment removed
silverstartrucker 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Glad i'm not the only one who thinks his playing is horrid.
rangerboy96 2 years ago
the stupid people comes to pairs...
MasterOFsoga 2 years ago
Boy you are one uninformed, stupid, ingnorant dumbass. Get a life.
John19182004 2 years ago
2:32.....WTF?!?!?!
19shea85 2 years ago
That's horrible
Aeoline91 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Tommy! glad to hear someone agrees with me. this recording is the most rediculous crap I've ever heard. hahaha
virgil really sucks. I can honestly say that listening to this truthfully bothers me and absolutely annoys me!!!
coutureorganist 2 years ago
Bach - If alive today, would emmigrate to America for it's ability to look both backward and forward. Did he not lift music out of the doldrums to be appreciated by the masses? He would revel in the fact that his wonderful music has been kept not only alive, but current. Fox championed this and the current masses would have never considered Bach's genius without this approach.
Grampsrn 2 years ago
Surround yourselves with the aged and purist ways and your company will be good, but JHB will be cheering and waving his arms at the variety with which his works can be and are enjoyed.
Grampsrn 2 years ago
Not during his life, actually. My understanding of Bach was that during his lifetime, he was actually a second call composer because he wasn't following the popular trends of the time. Mind you, he was an expert at what he did do. Were it not for Felix Mendelssohn, he might have dissappeared into obscurity. This, of course, is not to discount his genius. Bach owns.
Saurencaerthai 2 years ago
Actually, I think Bach would emmigrate to the UK and not America!
Contrubas 2 years ago 2
Bach would live in an obscure german town, like he always did. There he would compose music like the world had never seen.
gr0mithtimon 2 years ago
@Grampsrn
I couldn't agree more! I feel that not only would he compose organ music, that he would also compose electric music, maybe even echm, METAL! If you listen to many metal songs, you will hear traces of Bach floating around.
amourdutigre 1 year ago
Just because one CAN play it that quickly doesn't mean one SHOULD. I have heard good recordings by Virgil Fox, this is horrible.
alexoldroyd 2 years ago
While dying of cancer I might add.
cromorne 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is a good speed, just a bad interpretation with many wrong notes!
Contrubas 2 years ago
Interesting you should say that, because I ran the audio of this clip through Adobe Audition, slowed it WAY down, and followed the sheet music to what he was playing - and it came up totally accurate. This was in response to all the people previously saying that there are "tons of wrong notes".
RonRizzy 2 years ago 5
What about the slips in bars 7-10 for a start?
Contrubas 2 years ago
What about them? I'm looking at my copy right now, and don't see/hear any "slips"...? Don't forget, the microphone placement on this video is horrid, where the pedal covers up most of the manual stuff, making it very difficult to discern what parts are what, and accuracy.
RonRizzy 2 years ago 7
That they are there and throughout the whole performance. Dont blame microphone placement on slapdash playing. I think you'll find that the difficulty in discerning what parts are what and accuracy is a human thing and not an electronic one! Still, Virgil was a great entertainer and I'd rather hear him doing the biz than a clinical, overclean rendition.
Contrubas 2 years ago
@Contrubas so, you hav'nt missed notes before. Give the man a break. He WAS DYING!
ATLKapellmeister 1 year ago
@ATLKapellmeister I totally agree with you. If you listen to Widor at age 88 play his Toccata from the 5th on here you can hear his age playing on him. Organists are too critical these days. Sit back and enjoy the music. Instead of pointing out all the supposed mistakes simply post a recording of yourself on here to show us how its really done :)
OrganoAeternam 1 year ago
@Contrubas Oh, for God's sake.
horndiapason 1 year ago
@RonRizzy Right on Ron. Thanks for writing.
Blessings
DavidSnyderLumierist 1 year ago
@RonRizzy There ARE many misteaks in this performance. I've played this peice after mass many times and the many harmonic disruptions (which are NOT written in the Toccata) stick out like a sore thumb. The Microphone isn't an excuse, and if you really needed Adobe Audition to slow this piece down chances are you are not going to be able to hear the mistakes anyways!
CantusMaximus 1 year ago
@CantusMaximus Since I just KNOW you are going to reply to this. At 0:47 (M.9 in the score) Virgil's finger slips, he plays D flat instead of the written c, at 0:49 (M.10) he completely fudges the second position D minor chord, at 0:50 (M.11) not only does he play a Bnatural instead of the first C in the right hand but plays a G flat instead of a G natural. At measure 18 1:01 instead of the last written F natural in the right hand he plays a E. Most of these misteaks sound like grace notes.
CantusMaximus 1 year ago
@CantusMaximus My,aren't weproud? I'm an organist and a critical care RN. At the time he played this, MORE mistakes were to be expected. If you had a mild pneumonia, would you have attempted this in front of any audience? AND done as "poorly"? Doubtful. I left the bench for my current calling (far more technical I may add) because of people with either numb ears or numb senses of what is correct.
Grampsrn 1 year ago
@CantusMaximus I just love these people who sit with a piece of sheet music and follow it note by note looking for mistakes.
Xerox6085I 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this is crap.... and some even have the nerve to call this buffon a great organist !!
karlwurtz 2 years ago
You outplay him!
cromorne 2 years ago
C'est quoi cette caricature ? le pauvre Leon doit se retourner dans sa tombe...aucune âme dans cette interpretation, il a un train à prendre le présentateur de talk-show ??
MrDomi77 2 years ago 10
I will now play...ooops sorry....MURDER the toccata from Leon Boellmans suite gothique. Please tell me people pay to here this?
tommyupoo 2 years ago
If someone lives in Montreal, QC, Canada Go to Saint Joseph's Oratory Of Mont-Royal Every Sunday at the Basilica at 3:30 p.m. (Free) Organ Concert and it is amazing one of the beggest churches in the world and the most expensive organs
sweetray200 2 years ago
to fast!!! like the most american creations fast, big,"grant" but no feeling
JAKOBVDP 2 years ago
I play this piece at this tempo. It sounds like the microphones are right next to the pipes so you can hear every little slip on this clip. We must remember that Youtube does no real justice to the players' performances other than a great record of an era long gone.
Contrubas 2 years ago
he plays it at a pace that is not too slow-you can hear the melody clearly. this guy rocks the church! he knows what he's doing here. im impressed the organ can keep up!
TheCurtthehurt 2 years ago 4
SUPERIOR!!! Gloria in Excelcis Deo!
Capricornboy 2 years ago
Comment removed
silverstartrucker 2 years ago
esplendido !!!
jhonnydejesus 2 years ago
Organists never die. They merely come to a stop.
Diapason16ft 2 years ago 5
TOO FUNNY!!! Thank God we've seen the light in interpretation! Damn! Did he go to starbucks before he played. So fast it killed the work! He must have been on speed!
davbear221 2 years ago
VF looks bored here!
His 1/16ths are less than perfect (especially left hand) but he marks each beat clearly!
Great pedalling.
rRlentless interpretation.
1401JSC 2 years ago
All I know of Cameron Carpenter is a few of his youtube videos. I think his technique is ASTONISHING. But i think that his musicianship is still developing. In this way he is very much like Virgil. If you are able to hear some of Virgils very earliest recordings, you would never know that it was him from the musical interpretation point of view. (Check out the Pipe Dreams show where they play his early recording at Girard, for example)
tactilex 2 years ago
I'm a lifetime lover of Virgil Fox. Yes, this is too fast for a recording. But live... it must have been a lot of fun. After all, the composition isn't exactly complex. It's a sort of romp. He bores us not!!!
Wagerfilm 2 years ago
Remember one of Virgil's lines....
"...those who complain about it are the ones that can't do it!"
RonRizzy 2 years ago 9
Nonsense.
I can play it this fast, but would not.
It's a little too fast and careless here.
I'd rather a little slower and hear all the notes and no sloppiness.
robertgift 2 years ago
@RonRizzy - hear hear Virgil
silverstartrucker 1 year ago
@RonRizzy
You got that right! All his critics, many of them so untalented, that they tried to justify any means in order to enter the house of music. Quote - unquote!
organEd 1 year ago
xD Wow, this is just SO "Virgil Foxish". To you all: You should keep in mind, that Virgil didn´t intend to play historicaly correct or "in the style of...". He wanted to have a big show, he wanted to have "action"! Shure it is stunningly fast but thats the way he played and nevertheless he plays correctly! However it would have no effect to play it on 100 on a metrono as intended, especially with this desert-dry atmosphere in this room.
DAOFB 2 years ago 3
Virigil Fox was a showman and first class organist. One should know his legacy and what he did for the awareness of the organ internationally. If only we could all play like he did
tweety11826 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I don't normally comment on youtube videos, but this is awful. As an asst. organist of a catherdral I do know to each his own, but this goes beyond bad. Way way way to fast.
rangerboy96 2 years ago
I am thinking you are jealous! Virgil was a genius! That's the thing with music... it's to be interpreted, as Virgil did! More than any other.
m30hyper 2 years ago
you have to put into consideration on how sick Virgil was at the time he had played this, if he had played this in the early 70's mabey it would have been a bit better.
TastyColoda134 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
rangerboy96: You wouldn't even recognize a turd even if it would hit you right in the face. Better not to comment anymore on vids whatsoever :)
Capricornboy 2 years ago
Really awful. and not just in recording quality! Virgil's playing sucks!
coutureorganist 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
coutureorganist: Your mother sucks :)
Capricornboy 2 years ago
lets here you pay it than.
csk280 2 years ago
look at Virgil's face at about 2:48! This man walked with the angels. he wanted to thrill people by letting them in on the music that he heard on the inside.
In his last few years, he was having a little trouble with his technique. As people have commented over and over, his health was very precarious. But the MUSIC! Not the notes, but the music. That was what mattered to him.
tactilex 2 years ago
"ever since Jesus walked on this earth..."...I LOVE THIS NUT!
eccentricorgan 2 years ago 2
This console was indeed in the South Balcony of The Crystal Cathedral prior to the acquisition of the current Möller console. The Ruffatti console was always a five-manual; however, you may be confusing it with the four-manual Ruffatti console which Virgil plays in San Francisco's St. Mary's Cathedral in another video.
GlendaleJake 2 years ago
Was this the same console that used to be in the balcony prior to the Moller console? I remember seeing a console in the balcony with stop tabs on it but it had four manuals.
cornwallthedragon 2 years ago
So many people want to place organ music in a box and demand that it be played a certain way. NOT SO!! This is why Virgil was so successful and so many other were (are) not. Virgil made music. The recording technique used here is terrible but the music remains. As for the "purist" quote paladin313, be careful. Until your video performing this piece appears on the internet, I'd suggest you watch how you throw the phrase "can't do it" around.
goalie7927 2 years ago 3
I've heard quite a few say that the present-day organist Cameron Carpenter is Virgil's reincarnation. What say you to that?
JupiterIV 2 years ago
I would agree that Cameron Carpenter is an absolutely incredible organist who is in some ways, following in Virgil's footsteps. However, I think it is unfair to classify him as a reincarnation of Virgil as in some ways he may actually be better. Please remember that Cameron is in his prime and I only heard Virgil play in the last 8 years of his life. That having been said, the "Pictures at an Exhibition" CD that Cameron made on M&O Opus 1 is a flat out display of musical genius!
goalie7927 2 years ago
It's funny, Ron, msdl63 reminds me of the people that Virgil Fox himself described and despised: the purist. He said, and I quote, "You all know what I think of the purists: the purists are the ones who talk about it and can't do it!"
paladin313 2 years ago 2