Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I can't describe the feeling I get from listening to this- it's almost like meditation but more complex. Thank you for posting, excellent video.
Contrary to some of the negative comments others have posted, I think this organ is pretty spectacular...especially in Dr. Richner's hands. I like his tempo..."Adagio" doesn't mean "like a dirge" which is how this piece sometimes sounds! Incidentally, Richner was a world-class Mozart pianist; I heard him once at Town Hall, NYC. I remember the NY Times gave him a rave review.
very, very nice, one of my favourite music pieces played on that fantasic pipe organ in that outstanding church ... building where You won't find any "cult".
God is Love ... for sure. recently I dicovered another wise "whistle-blower" like Mary Baker Eddy. Its Jiddu Krishnamurti. His conclusion as well is that the only Thruth is the real existance of LOVE - outside all of our "limitations" ...
I heard this played in a movie theater. Platoon, I think it was called. About how foolish young men do whatever their government tells them to.
Thank God things have changed since back then. Today, no young men would think to waste their lives in a war halfway across the world, just to keep the military-industrial profits flowing.
Not that I'm aware of. There was only the one Virgil recording at Wanamaker's (as far as I know), & this isn't on it. And I don't think he recorded it @ Riverside -- but old Virgil recordings seem to pop up occasionally that I've never heard ;-) And I've been a Virgil fan for almost 50 years
In the church where I'm organist I was recently asked if I wanted a cushion on my bench when they cushion the pews, and I replied, NO! I slide my ass around too much for that!
Truly a great example of what a FABULOUS Aeolian-Skinner should sound like, and how well it represents the essence of the American Romantic organ at its pinnacle.
I don't agree that this ever was a good example of E-S at its best. There must be a reason for the fact that this organ was never used for recording music in the Great Tradition, i.e., Bach, Buxteduhe, Franch, Widor, Vierne, etc. Only kitschy American romantic music seems to be its forte, and for an organ of this size, it makes no sense today. For me, St, Thomas Church in NYC is a far better example.
These strings are beautiful! And thank you for the shots of the interior. I thought the exterior was stunning; never made it inside. It's drop dead gorgeous!
I think (& I may be wrong about this because it's been about 15 years since I visited the place) that it also has carpeting in the aisles. Another pet peeve of mine ;-)
Its a magnificent recording (and organ,) even with the impaired acoustics. Bravo, what a great vid! Do you think a group of musicians might talk them into ditching the cushions? Actually, we should petition all the churches for a law against them. Cushions today can be thinner, and made of less sound absorbent poly materials (Also could be made individual, like a boat cushion) If you've got a problem sitting on a wood bench, pick up a cushion at the door!
I viewed your video from the Washington National Cathedral. What a marvelous sound! You have described so well this current video's "completely different" acoustical environment, smothering the innate reverberation of the room with carpet and pew cushions. This would make a perfect (hopefully, mandatory) listening assignment for church building committees. Thanks so much!
The older I get, the more picky I get about listening to the dry acoustics of most American venues. I've discovered that I'm listening almost exclusively to recordings of Eurpoean instruments -- recordings made in rooms that know what to do with the sound coming out of these glorious music machines.
Even those designed to be "not so dry" are now drying up! [Forgive me; I don't mean to sound negative. It's just ... I can see the writing on the wall for so many churches here in the US.]
I love when the pedals come in at the climax: 5:18
hornplayerchris 2 months ago
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I can't describe the feeling I get from listening to this- it's almost like meditation but more complex. Thank you for posting, excellent video.
TMusic5 7 months ago
Contrary to some of the negative comments others have posted, I think this organ is pretty spectacular...especially in Dr. Richner's hands. I like his tempo..."Adagio" doesn't mean "like a dirge" which is how this piece sometimes sounds! Incidentally, Richner was a world-class Mozart pianist; I heard him once at Town Hall, NYC. I remember the NY Times gave him a rave review.
Thanks for posting!
MrBooker39 8 months ago
Beautiful building and organ ......Especially, the pipe arrangement for show. Will visit when I come to Boston.
MrEvanston 8 months ago
anyway or anyhow,
very, very nice, one of my favourite music pieces played on that fantasic pipe organ in that outstanding church ... building where You won't find any "cult".
God is Love ... for sure. recently I dicovered another wise "whistle-blower" like Mary Baker Eddy. Its Jiddu Krishnamurti. His conclusion as well is that the only Thruth is the real existance of LOVE - outside all of our "limitations" ...
ACQUAARIA 1 year ago
I heard this played in a movie theater. Platoon, I think it was called. About how foolish young men do whatever their government tells them to.
Thank God things have changed since back then. Today, no young men would think to waste their lives in a war halfway across the world, just to keep the military-industrial profits flowing.
PennnSmith 2 years ago
Excellent. Did Virgil Fox ever record this on the Wanamaker, or any other organ?
silverstartrucker 2 years ago
Not that I'm aware of. There was only the one Virgil recording at Wanamaker's (as far as I know), & this isn't on it. And I don't think he recorded it @ Riverside -- but old Virgil recordings seem to pop up occasionally that I've never heard ;-) And I've been a Virgil fan for almost 50 years
a55b47 2 years ago
Thanks for the inside info. My bad. As long as it takes to edit these things, though, I'll have to let it stand.
a55b47 2 years ago
In the church where I'm organist I was recently asked if I wanted a cushion on my bench when they cushion the pews, and I replied, NO! I slide my ass around too much for that!
tippymugs 2 years ago 9
yes it was a huge trend in the 70's to put carpet in the sanctuary. terrible idea
choirisgay 3 years ago
unfortunately, it's now the norm :(
kensingtonpalace 2 years ago
Truly a great example of what a FABULOUS Aeolian-Skinner should sound like, and how well it represents the essence of the American Romantic organ at its pinnacle.
enchammade16 3 years ago
I don't agree that this ever was a good example of E-S at its best. There must be a reason for the fact that this organ was never used for recording music in the Great Tradition, i.e., Bach, Buxteduhe, Franch, Widor, Vierne, etc. Only kitschy American romantic music seems to be its forte, and for an organ of this size, it makes no sense today. For me, St, Thomas Church in NYC is a far better example.
Rankett16 2 years ago
I can't believe I live right down the street from this building and have still never been inside. Now I must go. Great performance.
bfdpowers 3 years ago
Well, I lived in Washington for 20 years before I visited the White House ;-) No organ there, though.
a55b47 3 years ago
You wouldn't happen to have mp3 recordings of either this or the Washington performance? I would love to have both of these recordings.
bfdpowers 3 years ago
Comment removed
schnr2rmstr 2 years ago
One of my most loved pieces performed on the organ. Truly a delight!
wheidelberg 3 years ago
These strings are beautiful! And thank you for the shots of the interior. I thought the exterior was stunning; never made it inside. It's drop dead gorgeous!
reallyharried 3 years ago 7
I think (& I may be wrong about this because it's been about 15 years since I visited the place) that it also has carpeting in the aisles. Another pet peeve of mine ;-)
a55b47 3 years ago
Its a magnificent recording (and organ,) even with the impaired acoustics. Bravo, what a great vid! Do you think a group of musicians might talk them into ditching the cushions? Actually, we should petition all the churches for a law against them. Cushions today can be thinner, and made of less sound absorbent poly materials (Also could be made individual, like a boat cushion) If you've got a problem sitting on a wood bench, pick up a cushion at the door!
kempedkemp 3 years ago
Five-second reverberation is a must for any quality organ. I prefer seven or eight.
accousticdecay 3 years ago
I viewed your video from the Washington National Cathedral. What a marvelous sound! You have described so well this current video's "completely different" acoustical environment, smothering the innate reverberation of the room with carpet and pew cushions. This would make a perfect (hopefully, mandatory) listening assignment for church building committees. Thanks so much!
bob4120 3 years ago
The older I get, the more picky I get about listening to the dry acoustics of most American venues. I've discovered that I'm listening almost exclusively to recordings of Eurpoean instruments -- recordings made in rooms that know what to do with the sound coming out of these glorious music machines.
a55b47 3 years ago
Even those designed to be "not so dry" are now drying up! [Forgive me; I don't mean to sound negative. It's just ... I can see the writing on the wall for so many churches here in the US.]
bob4120 3 years ago 2
Tempo a tad fast for my taste (it is "Adagio"), but thanks as always for posting. Wonderful to hear the A-S strings.
joenwayne 3 years ago