Kölner Dom - Pipe Organ - Cologne Cathedral

[grandorgue128]

A very fine performance. Thanks!

[jvdurante84]

what an amazingly rich sound!!!

[djmpvae]

Colonia - the Latin name. It was a Roman province (also from Latin: provincia).

[canuzzi]

This cathedral has also an amazing history. It's longest lasting building project EVER. They started in 1248 and finished in 1880 over 600 years later. When they restarted the building in 1820 there was still a woden crane from the 14th century (with a runnig wheel - Laufrad in german - don't know the english translation - it's a direct translation from the german word). So there was a myth, when they will ever finish the cathedral, the world will end, luckely they wasn't right ;)

[stormkingfan]

One of Boenig's CDs includes Karg-Elert's Hommage to Handel. If you want to hear some examples of sevenths and ninths (possibly elevenths), you'll hear them in this piece. The bold voicing of these mutations makes the piece sound pretty wild. I usually go back to listen to them.

[Organistcomposer21]

Thank for this! Are both organs controllable from one console?

[a55b47]

This recording was made before the "swallow's nest" organ was installed (in 1998). But yes, I think the swallow's nest (Langhausorgel) is playable from the console of the transept organ (Querhausorgel).

[mightybassman1]

@a55b47 yes, both organs are playable from the transept console.

[cinzano1985]

@a55b47 You are right. Both Organs can be played from the Querhausorgel on the podest near to the altar.

[polsterj]

@Organistcomposer21 I don't know if the langhausorgel can be played at the console at the querhausorgel, but I know that a common console exists.

[Pedalpoint1]

Can somebody please post more versions of this piece?

[a55b47]

Have you seen Musichiere70's version @ Waldsassen? It pops up in "Related Videos." (Look to the right-hand side of your screen). That's the only other version I've seen on YouTube -- perhaps because, as someone said on here, it's a bitch to play. Interestingly, the Waldasassen organ sounds as if it's pitched about a half-step lower than the one in Köln.

[willowthebored]

@a55b47

There's one of Sophie Choplin playing it at Saint Sulpice around here somewhere.

[MonkTheWorldTree]

hmm, about a week ago, I was in Cologne, with my parents, and was attending the cathedral service. Was quite interesting cathedral, but not my favorite (my favorite cathedral is the one in Dinant, Belgium). I heard this organ music, but couldn't find the name or anything about it. It was played during daylight, about 12 pm. Does anyone know about this organ music by any chance?

[FromHolbergsTime]

A stunning recording and absolutely splendid composition. One hears a waterfall of reverberant sound in this remarkable cathedral, a most imposing example of church architecture. The photographs really add to the appreciation of this memorable music. I also have the complete recordings (on LP) of Jeanne Demessieux performing all of the Franck classics on the London label. I believe it is one of the finest collections of French organ music ever recorded.

[blogson]

Great video -very good sound (some ticks in source), spectacular photos. Performance is a bit slower than I prefer - I have a CD of Demessieux played on her Cavaille-Coll organ of La Madeleine, Paris, by Michelle Leclerc, with a faster tempo (Motette CD 11671). Also there is quite a difference between Klais and Cavaille-Coll organs. Thanks to all for this video, both music and photos!

[Silverdaddy101]

Yes, we've all heard this played at a faster clip,but in that acoustic, the notes would truly blur together if he played it much faster.

[danilosamadhi]

like so much this!!! and in december i am in Koln!!!!!!!!

[phialen]

where can you get a recording from cologne cathedral

[a55b47]

Winfried Bönig, the current (I think) domorganist has 2 STUNNING CD's on the Motette label.

Check the Organ Historical Society web catalog. I've tried putting a link to it in this message, & YouTube keeps bumping me out.

[barbara5706]

Nice photos. Do you have any pieces that you can see you play? Wonderful sound!

Barbara R

[a55b47]

I can't play a lick. I'm an organ-lover, not an organist. The sound for these videos is taken from old, long-out-of-print LP's that I think people might find interesting. The pix are all taken from the internet.

[ChrisOstberg]

Nice job, some of those photos are mine. :-)

[a55b47]

Nice photos. I pulled from every source I could find on the internet. It's tough making these things visually interesting, but I keep trying to spread the gospel of organ music. It's a labor of love. Hopefully, your picture-taking is, too ;-)

[2468HOTROD]

And all of us are so very grateful for all your efforts in bringing us all of your videos. Thank you! Whenever I see your name next to a video, I know it's a good one.

[ChrisOstberg]

Nice job. Some of those photos are mine. :-)

[Snookyfritz]

This piece is a BITCH to play.

Amazing sound, amazing player. Bravo!

Not many attempt this one.

[latribe]

This performance is brilliant! But there are organists playing this piece nowadays - there are YouTube examples of Hugh Potton (opens the piece at a faster tempo) and I'd be surprised if Roberto Bertero and Raúl Prieto Ramírez don't have it in their repertoire.

[Reesman95]

Amazing sound, not my favoite registrations though.

[zegers12]

It's mostly played "organo pleno" This was for many years the typical sound of that great Klais organ with it's many Mixtures and colourful mixed voices. After renovation and enlargement works during the past years the sound of this instrument has dramatically changed.

[accousticdecay]

Awesome!

[2468HOTROD]

I just have to ditto that. Beautiful music!