I too have had one occasion where I've not been impressed by David Briggs and, as in your comment, he went on for ages and didn't show his usual brilliance. He was given a theme of the Haydn surprise symphony, the arpegio one (in solfa ddmmssmffrrtts), which isn't the most interesting harmonically. On the other hand I've sat in the quire at Gloucester following evensong many times where I've been absolutely enchanted. In some ways it is good to know that even the best can have off days!
Very Cochereau-esque, but not surprising, given DB's devoted following of the 'Master' transcribing many of PCs improvisations from recordings. Again as said in Part 3 the Gloucester organ can sound like NDdeP prior to the infamous 1989 restoration. It just needs the Boisseau chamades!
Love the pix !!!(Particularly the cow close-up). David Briggs is giving Gerre Hancock a run for his money as to who's the best living improviser. Marvelous music.
@a55b47 - a few months ago, Briggs bored a 500-person audience in a large church with a superb organ rigid with the most tedious improvised symphony I've ever heard. Alas, the extraordinary genius displayed in this improvisation was nowhere to be found.
I too have had one occasion where I've not been impressed by David Briggs and, as in your comment, he went on for ages and didn't show his usual brilliance. He was given a theme of the Haydn surprise symphony, the arpegio one (in solfa ddmmssmffrrtts), which isn't the most interesting harmonically. On the other hand I've sat in the quire at Gloucester following evensong many times where I've been absolutely enchanted. In some ways it is good to know that even the best can have off days!
rt3pr40 1 day ago
Fantastic improvisation. The beginning of the Adagio is magic!
hoefje14 1 year ago
According to NPOR, the Septième 1 1/7' replaced the West Postive Larigot 1 1/3' back in 2000.
This improvisation is really quite fun!
PrincipalBasse 2 years ago
Heavenly improv on ridiculous tune! What fun! Love the registration, the harmonic structure, the enthusiasm!
larrylarski 2 years ago
thanks so, SO much for posting this. What a man!
manualhopper 3 years ago
DS - well put. And I think that Cochereau would have been the only other player to have dared improvise on this theme!!!
Paul :-)
marsvltor2 3 years ago
Very Cochereau-esque, but not surprising, given DB's devoted following of the 'Master' transcribing many of PCs improvisations from recordings. Again as said in Part 3 the Gloucester organ can sound like NDdeP prior to the infamous 1989 restoration. It just needs the Boisseau chamades!
ds1868 3 years ago
Love the pix !!!(Particularly the cow close-up). David Briggs is giving Gerre Hancock a run for his money as to who's the best living improviser. Marvelous music.
a55b47 3 years ago 4
@a55b47 - a few months ago, Briggs bored a 500-person audience in a large church with a superb organ rigid with the most tedious improvised symphony I've ever heard. Alas, the extraordinary genius displayed in this improvisation was nowhere to be found.
TheMysticalOrgan 2 months ago