Crystal Cathedral Hazel Wright Organ

[lamoyoucooke]

catholic Crystal Cathedral? They're as far from catholic as can be!

[PInk77W1]

CATHOLIC CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL

[JFrostz]

i think a New Hammond B3 with 500 leslies would be awesomer.

[davlber221]

Could he slur more notes together!?!?!?

[jimamia77]

Be sure to bring your sunscreen if attending an unusually long service.

[notredameswarrior1]

could you imagine a piece like widors allegro from the 6th symphony on this organ? my god it would sound probaly amazing

[polkameister1]

I miss hearing this beautiful organ. I have visited the CC 8 times and it is just gorgeous! That organ is breathtaking! Unfortunately, I have stopped watching the HOP as the music by the worship team is just not my cup of tea,. =(

Maybe after they get through the bankruptcy the organ and choir will return. (Hopefully)

[PeachWookiee]

This is such a beautiful instrument. It breaks my heart not to hear it anymore. They haven't played it the last few Sundays on TV. And they have a worship team now...

[virginiaorganbuilder]

The organ OWNED your camera's microphone.

[gramps2matt]

Thanks for putting this vid up I had no idea pipes were located to the sides AND rear of the church building. Now THAT'S real Sourround Sound!!!

[doothless]

Amen, wicked boy on your response to lancelin. I've been there (Southern Baptist), and I ain't going back. What a hoot!

[JohannusFan]

I don't understand how folks can leave when this kind of music is played on a great organ! Free concert. Heck - I would have gone to the church service just to hear the postlude!!!

[ThirtyTwoFoot]

abqcleve - are you the guy that worked for Mollers and now drives bikes?!

[Laneclin]

Im sure the window washing is more then affordable. After all tons of ppl buy his 60 dollar bibles off the tv not to mention the flea market crucifixs (made in Taiwan)

[wickedboy2001]

@Laneclin

You outta just stick to your roving-tent southern Baptist preachers Laneclin, and call it a day... the epitome of dysfuctional. What's that saying y'all have? "Ain't been nowhere, ain't goin'!"...

[frosty92314]

It has been so long since I have been there. I do miss it os

[bombarde1701]

Eugène Gigout's Grand Choeur Dialogue. Too bad they dont play concert pieces as postludes anymore.

[choirboy526]

what are you talking about...

Every Latin Mass parish in the world does

[TurtleShroom]

Yeah, but electric is about all most churches where I come from can get.

Still, the one our church got was really authentic for an electric one that takes up the space of a baby-grand piano.

Our chucrh is small (Sanctuary capacity is 600 or so), and the organist showed me the thing.

It had three keyboards.

She told me that is costed more because they take these things to Euorope and actually record church cathedral organs in action for realistic sounds... really neat.

[robertgift]

I have played this organ.

It has electronic stops behind the chamade ranks!

Eugène Gigout's Grand Choeur Dialogue is a magnificent work.

[Gball223]

Sounds like they're using a tuba solo voice when they could have delved into the Ruffatti or Aeolian-Skinner en-chamades a little earlier? Good playing though.

[Organfireworks]

My guesses are that this is not a regular organist at the Crystal Cathedral - they certainly do not know their way around the specification!

[TrexTony117]

I live down the street from the Crystal Cathedral

[scout66250]

This is the Grand Choer Dialogue by Gigout. All 13 pages of it.

[im2fdup4this]

I can't stand a digital or, apipe organ with MIDI to me it's a cheap want to be! I love a true WIND BLOWN ORGAN with no MIDI all stops are true each on it's own rank

[Sesquiltera]

This organ has no midi in case you didn't know.

[abqcleve]

It actually does, but rarely used. MIDI in/out is a feature of all computerized consoles. Not same as electronic stops; several here, mostly "magic" like harp and celeste. I worked on this instrument in '83, replacing the console drawknob switches and such. The console marries three different voltages to the AS and Ruffati chests and the original switches used to cause the organ computer to freak out and play by itself: the en chamades would speak staccatissimo e fortissimo without warning!

[praisethelord333]

wich chruch is the owner of the crystal cathedral?

[organEd]

The Chrystal Cathedral is part of the Reformed Church of America (RCA)

[gamecrazy132]

it must coast tens of thousands for that chruch to operate daily, the st.marys cathedral in my city coasts 4,000 every time the curch is in operation. and the crystal cathedral is 2 the height and 4 time width, it must be very expensive

[Sesquiltera]

yes, but remember, they don't need heating, it's in California and sun shines through the glass. Although washing the windows may be quite expensive.

[abqcleve]

The need cooling, and Anaheim forbade that when built. Instead, they regulate temp with tons of louvers in the clerestory. I was working on the organ once when they exercised the louvers, one stuck, broke with a shotgun-like report and the tempered glass in that pane showered down from we didn't know where, until we saw it falling like rain 50 feet away. Awesome!

[onstageagain]

These people are thieves and liars... don't you people ge it? I fell and broke my back and could not get a thing from my church except a few food dishes, prayers. But you know what..? my bills are still coming in, and I'm still in bed with the broken back. Sorry, all the hrs I devoted and did not get paid for them some other fool is doing it now. Probably one of you reading this comment. Liars and thieves. Looking for money to pay their bills ... big ones. Liars and thieves. Period...

[hymnguy317]

the church must pay their bills to keep their ministry open and prayers are more powerful than money

[onstageagain]

Sorry My Landlord didn't agree with you.

[abwkenn]

onstageagain...u know why yr back still pain b'cos u don't believe what u r pray n God not on yr side.

[Sesquiltera]

This is for onstageagain:

You're a liar, you can still pay for internet you bafoon.

[onstageagain]

Sorry My Landlord didn't agree with you.

[VideoGuy18]

I read in a newspaper article one time that the Crystal Cathedral organ was the 5th largest in the world. I was there last night, and I actually didn't think it was that big.

[myoozicgeek]

It has almost 16,000 pipes other than the fact that it's seems to be 5 stories tall. It's HUGE!!!

[abqcleve]

Such counts are impossible to do accurately: Orange Grove in NJ and the Wurlitzer in Philly are gigantic, too, but on any given day, much may be out of commission. Trust me: is in the world's top 10. Don't forget there are thousands of pipes in the string section at the back of the cathedral. The front case houses the 32's and is free-standing as an earthquake measure: when you're working in the, they actually sway, by design.

[gamecrazy132]

oh my an eco-friendly organ

[Terrrrrry]

I would just rather stick to the Allen Digital Organ, cuz the way I play they would

have to tighten the pipes all the time. I play pretty fast.

[Brandotuomikoski]

ha. I still would play this organ cuse its pipe and bigger than any allen

[Shogunmiyuchan]

Eugene Gigout's "Grand Choeur Dialogue". Always fun!

[KE5RHD]

I visited San Diego and made a special trip just to see this place. I don't visit very many churches as tourist attractions. They had just concluded a wedding that day. I picked up several cd's in the gift shop of this organ. It actually sounds pretty good when its mic'd for a concert. I was more impressed with the carillon tower. A 90 year old man climbed up into it several times a week. He is now deceased.

[robertgift]

James R. Lawson was the carillonneur.

He rode in the hoist cart to the top every Sunday.

Said if the cable broke, he'd get a free plot in the Memorial Gardens!

Wonderful sense of humor. Died October, 2003

at 84. These carillon bells have a Major third tierce. Not minor third tierce as almost all carillon bells have.

Miss you, Jim.

[Terrrrrry]

Why dies this organ sound so evil, the one at my church sounds like a soft funeral sound.

[theblackhand2]

The sound of an organ can be easily changed by changing the registration (what stops are selected). Also organs come in many styles as well which which affects the sound. Lastly room acoustics will greatly affect the sound of an organ.

[Terrrrrry]

so the question is?

how many different kind of organ

are thier?

do organist use tools to digitalize

the sound and all that?

[theblackhand2]

It really depends on the organ builder and the musical requirements posed by the owner. So no two organs are exactly alike and each organ will have its own sound characteristics. But the major styles I can think of are German, French Symphonic, American, English, Theatrical(Silent Movies), and Eclectic or mixture of various styles. But since no two organ are alike these styles should be considered very loosely.

[Terrrrrry]

Another question, do all organs have to run on pipes?

[ereijerse]

No, in fact the Hazel Wright organ has a number of digital voices that do not count towards the official size (ranking wise) of the organ. There are some organs that have more digital registers than actual pipes, such as the Harrah Symphonic Organ in West Virginia. It has only 2600 pipes but more than 20,000 digital pipes (and is also the largest draw knob organ console in he world)

[BeFrSc]

nope, some Organs have electronic sounds, but the pipes provide the most real and best sound.

[redletterchurch]

Most artificial organs sound like they are on life support! Someone should pull the plug! Just kidding! But I do prefer a pipe organ. It was fun singing in the choir here and watching Fred Swann work his magic. My favorite organ/church combination (for sound, at least) is Saint Sulpice in Paris, France. Check it out on YouTube. The Crystal Cathedral is my favorite church.

[ereijerse]

I used to attend church here regularly as a kid and it truly is an awe inspiring instrument. I have attended many organ recitals there. The Hazel Wright Organ is what really got me into organ music, its a pity that recorded music for this instrument is so hard to come by.

[Sesquiltera]

agreed!

[octave4]

It would be nice if the camera was not waving around like a leaf in the wind. If the camerca focussed on the organ then oved to the building, then uppstairs cmall console, But this waving around makes one seasick. The sound is not so bad - a bit overwhelmed bu this huge organ.

[classicalmusic1mzrt]

hmmm very unique looking cathedral-I also like the music. What piece is it anyway?

[videodude123XYZ]

The name of the piece is Grand Choeur Dialogue by Eugene Gigout. I have heard this piece played live a few times. The audio quality of this video doesn't due it justice. The "Dialogue" sounds more exciting when played on two seperated organs - each on opposite ends of the hall/church.

[CleverCAB]

Thanks!

[kropothkin]

Indeed that's the peice.

It is playable on an organ like this.

If there is a big solo reed section (like here and St Paul's Cathedral, London).

But I've heard it a couple of time on two organs and than it's more spectacular.

[ssmaurer]

I'm not sure what hymn Tom's playing CleverCAB, however, if you go on the Cathedral website you can pose the question tot he music department referancing that date. I'm sure they would respond. Thanks for the comment.

[pzimmer]

No, they usually don't. I tried to find out information about an anthem that I had heard on one of their show, and they basically rudly blew me off. The did however suggest that I could get a particular item for a donation It is sad when a church is all about money.

[Ntalikeris666]

@ssmaurer

The piece heard is Eugene Gigout's Grand Choeur Dialogue.

[CleverCAB]

What hymn is this?

[octave4]

It is not a hymn - It is the Grand Choeur Dialogue bu Gigout (French Symphonic)

[CleverCAB]

Pardon my incorrect usage of music terminology.

[meredithkellogg]

The Guy playing that organ is the Pianist for my Choir at school

[ebufford]

JUST EXCELLENT!!!

[Timotheus10]

I read in the Newspaper that this was the 5th largest pipe organ in the world.

[ssmaurer]

You are correct and it is unreal to hear in person on Sundays. When they play the openning theme each Sunday, there are two 80ft all glass doors that open at the corner front of the cathedral with water shooting up in towers as the organ plays. It's breath taking. Thanks for your comment.

[ajre82]

@ssmaurer

what ever happened to, "Split a piece of wood, and I am there." ?

[Nollie87]

@Timotheus10 My organ is bigger

[totallyamused]

Magnificent Organ made in Italy by the Fratelli Ruffatti Organworks! There are also Skinner pipes from Boston included in this great instrument to make it even better.

[ssmaurer]

Thank you for your comment. It is truly one of the greatest instruments in the world. It's a honor to go on Sundays and hear it in person. It can bring tears to your eyes. The sounds just shakes that glass church and the pipes are to the back on the sides and in the front, it's quite amazing. There is another amazing organ in the original church still there on a smaller scale but still impressive. Again thanks for the comment.

[bhigdaddymark]

Correction: This organ is a combination of 2 organs. The Ruffatti that Dr. Schuller already had in his church before the Crystal Cathedral was completed (in the old building), and the Aeolian-Skinner from Philharmonic Hall (Avery Fischer Hall) at Lincoln Center NYC.The two were combined to form the current organ.

[costamesaguy69]

That's my pal Tom Leonard at the Hazel Wright Organ... Gigout's Grand Choeur in Dialogue.

[ssmaurer]

Thank you for your comment. How is it that you know Tom may I ask? Did you happen to know Bryan Beavers by any chance?  He died many years ago but when he played that organ, it came alive! He was a dear friend of mine too.

[costamesaguy69]

I am the carillonneur at the Crystal Cathedral; I know Tom from there. He's an EXCELLENT musician. I know Bryan Beavers by name only; unfortunately, I had never met him.

[mhidden]

I grew up with Bryan. We were very best friends from kindergarten until he moved away in 7th grade. I saw him again only twice after that. The last time was in 1976.

I didn't even know he died . . . please, please, fill me in.

I still miss him.