What a challenge it must of been to have played an organ like that.Only Ms. Bish could have made it seem that effortless.God bless her for all that she has done to Glorify God through music!
bishfan - what a site! Thank-you for posting that. So, has the restoration changed the utility - or lack thereof - of the stop drawbars? As Mz, Bish found them a player would require an assistant to make mid-piece changes. Walter Kraft certainly loved this instrument - by his rapturous comments in his 18-disc album of all Bach's organ music.
Every now and then, I just have to come here and get a Diane-fix. I don't know what was buzzing around in Campra's head when he composed this, but I wish it had never stopped.
The acoustics in the church lend well to this organ. I often thought that composers (like Campra) were inspired, not only by the organ, but also the acoustics. This organ is particularly beautiful in that it sounds big and exciting but not overpowering - something you don't hear too much of today. It seems we learned nothing in 300 years or organ building.
@tubamaxima I could not agree more! I've been involved in church acoustics and organ installations for years. Contemporary church construction puts acoustics so far down the list that they're not even an afterthought. What is worse, acoustics, as to how they relate to the organ installation, are even less of a priority.
To me, the organ IS the sanctuary. The contemporary installations I've witnessed are marvels of technology that yield a pathetically uninspiring sound.
That is one of the best recordings or Rigaudon that I have ever heard. That organ survived the French Revolution and Sounds like it...Positively beautiful. It would fit well in the movie "The Sound of Music".
Its in Alsace...its been tossed back and forth between France and Germany for centuries....and in addition, this is a ANDREAS Silbermann organ, brother of Gottfried, hence the totally different sound that you'd hear from a Gottfried, such as an abundance of larger scaled manual reeds
I always enjoy it when Diane talks about the history and unique features of some of the organs that she has played. Even ones that are going to be restored.
I am glad to see this instrument rebuilt. This is one of the rarest organs I have ever seen. At least the young gets to learn how some organs were built in the early days.
this organ has one of the most convincing vox angelica stops i have evr heard in my life!!!! amazingly gorgeous sounding instrument!!! can't wait to hear the rebuilt organ!!
Silbermann produced very beautiful sounding instruments but on this organ at least he did the organist no favors - the pedal stops under the keybords! - stops behind the organist's back! - a bar directly over the black notes!! That is why modern organ benches have a foot rest bar under them - and also, although it wasn't visible in this video, the low D# note is probably missing for the sake of saving a few marks! Nice piece of music by the way ;)
Comment removed
ItWasntMe456 8 months ago
What a challenge it must of been to have played an organ like that.Only Ms. Bish could have made it seem that effortless.God bless her for all that she has done to Glorify God through music!
superssjdan1 1 year ago
bishfan - what a site! Thank-you for posting that. So, has the restoration changed the utility - or lack thereof - of the stop drawbars? As Mz, Bish found them a player would require an assistant to make mid-piece changes. Walter Kraft certainly loved this instrument - by his rapturous comments in his 18-disc album of all Bach's organ music.
cb77305 1 year ago
I've been Googling like mad but can't find anything on the restored instrument.
cb77305 1 year ago
@cb77305 Check the video description. I've added a comment for you.
bishfan 1 year ago
Every now and then, I just have to come here and get a Diane-fix. I don't know what was buzzing around in Campra's head when he composed this, but I wish it had never stopped.
moproducer 1 year ago
@moproducer
The acoustics in the church lend well to this organ. I often thought that composers (like Campra) were inspired, not only by the organ, but also the acoustics. This organ is particularly beautiful in that it sounds big and exciting but not overpowering - something you don't hear too much of today. It seems we learned nothing in 300 years or organ building.
Antoni
tubamaxima 1 year ago
@tubamaxima I could not agree more! I've been involved in church acoustics and organ installations for years. Contemporary church construction puts acoustics so far down the list that they're not even an afterthought. What is worse, acoustics, as to how they relate to the organ installation, are even less of a priority.
To me, the organ IS the sanctuary. The contemporary installations I've witnessed are marvels of technology that yield a pathetically uninspiring sound.
moproducer 1 year ago
This organ has really a very beautiful sound. Did anyone know if the sound has changed after the restauration? Thanks for sharing this video.
fiffzek 1 year ago
That is one of the best recordings or Rigaudon that I have ever heard. That organ survived the French Revolution and Sounds like it...Positively beautiful. It would fit well in the movie "The Sound of Music".
TheYarxia 1 year ago
A carefully produced and recorded treat, thank you, bishfan. - John Austin, Australia
jrakg 2 years ago
Are you sure it was the Crystal Cathedral? From what I've been told she's never made a recording on that instrument.
caddyorganist 2 years ago
well, i guess the Silbermann maintains is awesomeness by being uncomfortably simple
falaqdad15 2 years ago
By the way, Am I crazy to say that Ebermunster sounds like something from Germany?
falaqdad15 2 years ago
Its in Alsace...its been tossed back and forth between France and Germany for centuries....and in addition, this is a ANDREAS Silbermann organ, brother of Gottfried, hence the totally different sound that you'd hear from a Gottfried, such as an abundance of larger scaled manual reeds
Arky83mi 2 years ago
I always enjoy it when Diane talks about the history and unique features of some of the organs that she has played. Even ones that are going to be restored.
cornwallthedragon 2 years ago
Thanks for the compliment. I had no idea she played the Crystal Cathedral organ. Do you still have the video? If so, can you post it?
bishfan 2 years ago
I am glad to see this instrument rebuilt. This is one of the rarest organs I have ever seen. At least the young gets to learn how some organs were built in the early days.
Streetcar1743 2 years ago
this organ has one of the most convincing vox angelica stops i have evr heard in my life!!!! amazingly gorgeous sounding instrument!!! can't wait to hear the rebuilt organ!!
javajo46 2 years ago
Silbermann produced very beautiful sounding instruments but on this organ at least he did the organist no favors - the pedal stops under the keybords! - stops behind the organist's back! - a bar directly over the black notes!! That is why modern organ benches have a foot rest bar under them - and also, although it wasn't visible in this video, the low D# note is probably missing for the sake of saving a few marks! Nice piece of music by the way ;)
gngeannakakes 2 years ago
realy good explain
praisethelord333 2 years ago
Bishfan,
Thanks my friend, for this post, and on behalf of the American Guild of Organists, Thank You.
Have you or anyone have any new posts of this organ since the rebuild?
ARFRC1 2 years ago
Unfortunately I don't.
bishfan 2 years ago