Noel Variations for Organ - Claude Balbastre

[gleitma]

Clear crisp powerful sound!

[maestrocji]

It doesn't get any better than this.  Thank you for sharing this recording.

[falaqdad15]

the part starting at 5:18 was hilarious.. hahahahaha awesome

[Contrubas]

San Francisco!

[Contrubas]

St Mary's Cathedral where?

[falaqdad15]

I love how the pedal reed 'honks'!

[franceorganum]

Jolie interprétation, vive et gaie mais sans la registration "à la française" qui convient à cette musique ( grand jeu, cornet, cromorne, musette, régale, voix humaine...)

[Mitsugejl]

I love the pedal part at 4:12 :)

[willowthebored]

Hm. This is quite excellent. The performance is technically sound, the composition itself is a testament to Balbastre's brilliance. I'll also complement Ruffatti's choice in ranks; it's very peppy, very distinctive (though as usual the pedal reed presented at the opening sounds a little bit squawky). Because I'm a traditionalist, of course, I dislike the case (or lack, as it were), but regardless this is one of the honest-to-god best videos I have ever acquired from YouTube...

[willowthebored]

Also, I just noticed that that video displays a six-manual console. O.O WTF.

[etbuk]

Is the console of the Ruffati Organ in Monreale Cathedral, Italy.

[willowthebored]

Oh, and it needs more 8' and 16' principal tone, but that's just a Second Diapason away.

[Diapason16ft]

BTW, regarding CTK, Atlanta, I was told Goulding and Wood used all the Ruffatti pipework. I've no idea what it sounds like now. Richard Morris and the Atlanta Brass Ensemble made a recording for Crystal Clear Records, "Sonic Fireworks" in the late 70's or so. My favorite of all time!

[Diapason16ft]

This track here in its entirety is what you used to hear when you clicked "here to hear the awesome sound of Ruffatti" on their website. It has been replaced with a minute of some chiffy rohrflute or something. It is nice to hear my favorite Ruffatti track again! As to french registration, it's an Italian organ and does things its own way, and in a most elegant way at that.

[Alwaysapipedream]

Hmm, I need one of these added to my music room! Very nice!

[SFChristo]

This recording sounds pretty good, but I've heard St. Mary's live and its open layout and lack of fundamental (8' and 16') sound makes it a pretty weak and unfocused organ in the cathedral. I wish they would consider replacing it.

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Some of you might enjoy this marvelous performer and improviser, search YT for: "Michel Chapuis - Noël"

.

[organnut]

Awesome performance!! Registration bad taste or not, it is very delightful to my ears! Complements to Mr. John Balka, you are an awesome talented organist. To moller11739 the montage is fabulous! Thanks for posting this wonderful video!

[theblackhand2]

The Noel Variations are very colorful in sound making it one of my favorite organ works. The photos were very interesting.

[gogogadget91]

WOW,,, where can i download the score??? Can you send me the score plz????

[keanur1]

The scores for all french noëls settings by Balbastre are available for free on the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA) on the net. Enjoy!

[frajtas]

not....for example be absent Canonade from Balbastre...WIMA not have...where is it?

[keanur1]

@frajtas WIMA being temporarily closed, try e-Partitions for free organ music by Balbastre.

[rmb10]

John Balka's playing was always so exciting. He shows off so many of the colors of the St. Mary's organ, which is one of my favorite Ruffatti organs. Two corrections to the photos, though--the 6 manual console is the Harrah organ of Forrest Burdette Memorial UMC in Hurricane, WV and the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta is no longer a Ruffatti, it is a Goulding and Wood.

[greenspacesforever]

Is the first organ shown, the Ruffatti at St. Mary's. I have to say that I love the layout. The sound is very impressive also. I blends wonderfully.

[moller11739]

The first three photos are St. Mary's, which does have an interesting look.

[JonasClark]

@moller11739 Have seen this organ at St. Mary's in person, it is indeed a fantastic arrangement. In fact, the entire church is stunning. Glad to finally hear it!

[synthematophon]

The interpretation is very clean, but how about the French Registration? How about with the "Grand-Jeu" at the beginning, for example?

Near the end,using these mixtures and chamades are an evidence of bad taste...

When you have to record on such an organ... I'm a bit in rest...

[latribe]

If you look at the videos of the recitals on Albi Cathedral organ, the use of those chamades is not at all bad taste, is very authentic and it would be nice to hear more of them!