Stephen Tharp plays Vierne for Our Lady of Refuge Organ Fund

[MrBooker39]

A masterful performance of Vierne's Carillon...the best recording I've heard since Alexander Schreiner's Columbia disc of 1959. Most organists play the piece too fast and it sounds trivial instead of majestic.

[Organsk8er]

So nice to hear a Kilgen its original form like this! I truly hope and pray this organ will be returned to the church and made to play again, perfectly, with all of its original voicing intact. A true blessing to any parish!

[MusicDirector25]

Great video!! Now, to convince my pastor to start carrying an organ pipe...

[EccentricRichard]

What a wonderful organ! Having seen some photographs of the church, it would appear that - great though it is - it's too small. Is this the case? I've never been to the USA at all, so obviously haven't heard this organ in the building! Anyway, I think this goes down among my all-time favourite Romantic organs, alongside an 1887 Hill & Sons, an 1889 Willis and a 1912 J. W. Walker - illustrious company, I assure you!

[Erzahler]

I just read about this organ in "The Diapason." I believe there are many historic pipe organs out there that also need TLC to be brought back into playable condition. Anytime one of these venerable organs is saved from destruction, another piece of our history is preserved. Pipe organs are capable of so much musically and are more versatile than any other instrument, acoustic or electric. And new pipe organs continue to be built today, adding to the instrument's legacy. I'll send in my $20!

[accousticdecay]

I am impressed by the dedication of these people. I have purchased two JAV CD's and I plan to purchase more. Great sound and good accoustics.

[olrefuge]

Dear Joe:

Igot goose bumps listening to Mr. Tharp on our organ.  I cannot wait to hear it again when it is fully restored.

Joe, thanks for all you are doing for us here at Refuge.

The organ sounds great!!!!!

Judy

[Fozzymaple]

I suppose that it helps that Mr. Vitacco attends this church. I know he has said that it was this instrument and a recording of Virgil Fox that really got him into the organ.

[leedshunk]

carillon de westminster by vierne .

[emurami]

what's the name of this piece again?

[koschinski2]

Well played, a bit too little legato though. The organ sounds marvellous !!

[octave4]

The organist will play as he interprets the music. Some we like, others we don't but all music is subjectvie for Conductor or performer. We should enjor it is the massive monument it is. Can't you hear those huge bells tolling. Wonderful.

[timtrotter42]

It's Nice to see a parish that is willing to take care of their organ. I am at a parish that has a 10 rank kilgen that was installed in 1939,it has a beautiful tone for 10 ranks. The problem I have been having is no one but me and the current organist seem to care about it. In fact, when I say they need to look into getting a profeestional to look in it they say "we should get a electric organ it would be cheaper".

[Erzahler]

I just cringe when I hear someone say that! An electric organ?? Och, there is just no comparison between the two! The pipe organ will ALWAYS be the King of Instruments. Anything less is just chicken fodder!

[erzhaler]

Oops - I didn't read the other comments - it is a Kilgen organ.

[erzhaler]

This is a fine performance by Mr. Tharp, and it's so good to see a parish try to keep a quality instrument, when so many are going for keyboards of less quality. What company built this organ originally?

[Fozzymaple]

Kilgen; George Kilgen and Sons.