The Widor Toccata on the Cavaille-Coll organ at Saint Sulpice, Paris

[artkt1]

Bravo- Great playing. Most try to play this piece too fast. It was just right. What a privilege to have Daniel Roth beside you turning pages and running the combo levers. Even if he did complain a little about you playing the whole piece on the G.O. , you made him smile.

The expression on the face of the guy to the left of the console when you hit that first pedal note was priceless. I hear that the 32' Contra Bombard on that organ speaks with great authority. Thanks for posting this.

[silverstartrucker]

Pity about the inferior sound and Roth talking all over it.

[eindedarten1]

who are these guys beside Daniel Roth, Dutch guys?

[jvdurante84]

the sound in this recording does not give justice to the instrument

[RMavailable]

it would annoy me to play with all the keys moving at the same time....that just gets on my nerves watching....but i love this particular score

[67DUTCHMAN]

There seems to always be some loud mouthed, wanna-be, queen, babbling in the background.

[PJManfredi]

Wonderful playing on an amazing instrument!!! Not an easy feat on a tracker...excellent!

[mzim144659]

I want to sit in with them!

[speedstick77]

Isn't the venerable old tracker a tough platform for performing an energetic piece like that? You must have fingers of steel. Wonderful performance including the chatter.

[andre26071955]

@speedstick77 No, with the help of the Barker levers it does not play tougher than a grand piano.

[mudgebauer]

How was I suppose to know it was Prof. Roth, greatest organist in the world. He should wear a sign around his neck so people will know that for people who dont know what he looks like. It would help to identify people in the video in the text when it is posted. Will save a lot of confusion and silly questions and comments like mine. tanx

[eindedarten1]

Can't help it, but i like this version the most,

i like 1987 version from don't cry Gun's n Roses very much but

this a step higher, a great ovation for the player!!!!

[Annsilvary]

Great!

[mudgebauer]

Its a great piece, but why was that fellow talking all the time to the organst when he was trying to play? Very rude. The sound was too muffled, not a professional recording by any means. I prefer the video made in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark New jersey. Check that one out. Its more clear and precise and there arent any bozos talking or distracting the organist. Thanks for posting this. I love the piece.

[laplacae]

@mudgebauer Well, the fellow talking to me while I'm playing is Daniel Roth, titular organist at St. Sulpice. This was an informal event. However, we had a recorder placed down in the nave (the related video for this). You can hear this sans chatter there.

[Classicalytrained]

@mudgebauer LOL i love how you call Daniel Roth, one of the greatest Living organists.... A Bozo..... Nice one! :L

[laplacae]

@mudgebauer It does say that... "Playing the Widor beside Daniel Roth, titular organist at Saint Sulpice...etc..."

[fanny0820]

@mudgebauer

j'ai l'impression dêtre  dans un bateau ..........

[ssbphotography]

WOW!!!!!!!! one day i hope to travel to europe to play the great organs

[1Elmedico1]

well done!

[pipedreams1685]

Just three letters OMG!!! What an experience that must have been!!!

[tehtitan1]

Wow . Such a magnificent piece. Great job!

[thinson55]

Nice to hear it played at a reasonable tempo. Most of the time the organist is trying to show how fast he can play it!?! Sounds magnificent!

[WolfyRandallBear]

Nice Job! Wish the People around you hadn't been Talking so Much! That was Very Distracting from your Wonderful Playing!

[HONGYOUNGEUN]

thank you for listen this piece in st. sulpice. i want to play in there.

[shirtale]

A great experience, thank you.

[profdodo1]

Spine tingling!!

[mcarver62]

Beautiful piece, one of my favorites!!

[sheldonrc1]

well. well played.... I found my score and was inspired to study it again! bravo!

[meknight77]

Made me smile so much - what an amazing honour and experience!

The joy you brought to the piece has made me listen with fresh ears.

Thank you so much for sharing - and to Mr Roth for allowing you to play!

[Owdfolkie]

It makes a welcome change to hear this played at the right speed! I really felt your moment of joy at the end!

[parisoncourt]

Youre a braver man than me Gungadin with Mnsr Roth sat next you

[schuldistkult]

Vielen Dank für die schönsten 6 Minuten des Tages!! Bravo....

[blackparader686]

I wish i was gifted enough to play this piece ! Excellent playing !

[zadok000]

esecuzione fantastica! bravooooooooooooooo!

[DSM1G90]

Excellent video, performance and an experience one will never forget! BRAVO!!

[Wiscatsin]

Excellent playing on an organ that is hard to play. It's too bad that people were talking and that the camera wasn't held nice and still throughout!

[foodtestingstrips]

HONESTLY, you played the best Widor I have EVER heard and believe me I searched. I wanted to smack whoever was speaking because i wanted to download it onto my mp3 player. Your version was that good. I liked you pace etc

[squiresuzuki]

@foodtestingstrips You would smack Daniel Roth? :D

[josajpnide]

Énorme, on se dirait dans un cockpit! Les différents protagoniste commentent, tournent les pages, aident au pédalier et Roth qui gardent le tempo comme si de rien n'était!

[foveauxbear]

What beautiful playing - thanks to laplacae for posting.

[jaeickho]

Great form and tempo... Just wondering though if Mr. Roth gets tired of hearing this piece lol

[ebp367]

Great performance !!

[NiallMS]

Roth masterclass!

Great stuff!

[den220]

Love the way you ended! The sound and Roth's expression are priceless! Bravo!

[homoignobilis]

And also where Jeanne Demissieux was titular organist. fox loved this rather its sister at Notre Dame because he could get better definition with less clack and clatter.

[Mitsugejl]

I must get to Paris soon to hear this magnificent organ. Damn that last chord gave me goosebumps :)

[Schantalbert]

Hört doch mal auf zu labern und lasst den Armen Jung doch in ruhe spielen!

[Schantalbert]

Thats really handwork ;)

[Saurencaerthai]

I saw nothing but pure ecstasy in the last few chords. You certainly didn't disguise your joy. Well executed!

[5610winston]

AMAZING performance, but it sounded like a lot of cross-talk chatter in the background.

[KeLeighton]

Only last Sunday I was standing about where the camera was, for one of Daniel Roth's very generous open sessions during the mass at Saint-Sulpice. An incredible organist and a great instrument.

[gerardbedecarter]

Magnificent!

[praestant8]

Well the organ isn't exactly original. Much has moved around, but all the changes were logical as the literature demanded it.

[chemist653]

Wow - what a memory to have for the rest of your life.

[omahas9000]

Watching this young man's face, I would say that this moment satisfied a dream of his....I very happy for that.

[omahas9000]

THANK YOU, Daniel!!!

[organistpeter]

Das ist ein ausgezeichnetes Video! Dieser Organist hats wirklich absolut drauf! Vielen Dank!!!

[Chesterbarnes1]

Roth is so generous with his time and shows a interest in these musicians. He is not selfish with the organ. What a giant of a man!

[pipedreams1685]

Wow, to have Monsieur Roth turn pages for you. What an honour!

[Fozzymaple]

Rather on the fast side for my taste. But nice performance all the same. I can;t imagine M.Daniel Roth or Mme.Choplin play that one too often at St. Sulpice.

[nefta235]

grande ¡¡¡ muy bien...magnífico

[YMNTWTANKH]

I had the privilege of watching M. Marcel DuPre playing this fantastic organ in 1968. M. DuPre was 80 years old and suffering with Arthritis in his hands ,however his playing was spectacular. It was on of the highlights of my life meeting this great man.

[Egestus18]

@YMNTWTANKH I so envy you ...

[silverstartrucker]

Frederick Hohman's live version on youtube is a quality sound. This is a weak sound with lots of people talking....

[LaFiestaPagana]

To jest moc organów...

Wielkie przeżycie grania na organach w st sulpice :D

zazdroszczę ;)

[poopingeneral]

Firstly I would like to commend you for your great playing, and perfect tempo! Secondly I'm envious as hell! Thirdly Widor was smiling big up in Heaven when he heard the bombarde's kick in :-)!!!

Well done!

-Levi

[mlodyorganista]

I have been there in June 2010. That was great experience.

Yours performance of this piece is - for me - very, very good. I like it!

[Egestus18]

I will be in Paris and especially in St. Sulpice in 2 weeks for the first time in my life, and i cant await it anymore... this organ is just the beautifullest the world has ever seen. And with Mr. Roth i think this beauty has the perfect organist who will hopefully stay there until his very last days on earth like Widor...

[Egestus18]

I will be in Paris and especially in St. Sulpice in 2 weeks for the first time in my life, and i cant await it anymore... this organ is just the beautifullest the world has ever seen. And with Mr. Roth i think this beauty has the perfect organist who will hopefully stay there until his very last days on earth like Widor...

[ds1868]

Well as noted Daniel Roth is an extremely gracious and generous person, but even so you are an extremely lucky person. Nice tempo by the way, you held it all together on probably the greatest organ in the world (I say 'probably' as St Ouen is knocking on the door).

[phillyorganist2010]

I was in the loft at St. Sulpice last April and watched M. Roth play a Bach fugue between Masses. What a wonderful experience, and what a gentleman!

Curious--how did you get the opportunity to play the Widor on THAT organ??? WOW.

[peteacher52]

I have heard from sources in The Netherlands that Daniel Roth is kind and gracious at all times when playing, judging or entertaining at organ festivals and summer schools. He is a genuine gentleman with no inflated display of his own importance. He and Sophie-Veronique are fabulous ambassadors for Parisian organ music.

[MDLRX8]

Wonderful! Not only is that instrument still a masterpiece, but Daniel Roth is such a gracious host to allow so many people play and enjoy his instrument. He must have heard Widor's Toccata more times than he can count, but he is still as kind and accommodating as ever! Great job with your playing, and kudos again to Daniel Roth for both preserving and sharing this magnificent instrument.

[ch604]

wow. I am not worthy to have daniel roth turn my pages for me!

[posaune16]

Splendid job, Ethan. Say hello to Ann for me (from Nicholas, who used to sing Compline).

[MrJacques013]

Who is that women talking in the back...? Wasn't anybody authorised to tell her to shut up...? :-) Excellent performans - i love Widor, - and the way You played it - perfect!

[frater09]

@MrJacques013 I totally agree with MrJacque. Playing was excellent. Tell those people to SHUT UP!!!

[praiseworship]

wow - what a trip that must have been! Fingers hurt much after playing all that coupled together :-) And just imagine running the Ventil pedals, etc on your own - must be murder! Very nice job (and milk that last chord!! lol)

[praestant8]

@praiseworship not with the barker on the Grand Chouer

[octavegeigen4]

Brilliant! What an honor to be able to play this on Widor's organ with Daniel Roth assisting you! I hope to have this honor someday. Tell me, is Monsieur Roth as kind and welcoming as people say he is?

[codeman2008]

My goodness! Wonderful! Hopefully someday I'll be able to do the same! What an organ!

[Scotdaz]

Bravo.  It must have been awesome to play the same organ that Widor played his most famous piece on. Brilliant playing. Congratulations

[laplacae]

@Scotdaz Thank you. It was an experience I'm grateful for and will never forget.

[2468HOTROD]

@laplacae I just found and heard this as I'm leaving for work this morning. It has charged my batteries and made my day. Beautiful and thank you! peace