Virgil Fox Legacy | Jongen | Toccata | Organ Solo

[noteworthy99]

It looks like this was from the last time Virgil played at Riverside. It is unbelievable that with his hands affected by the disease he could still play like this. He was truly one of the greats. Not my personal choice of organ music but a fantastic final demonstration on the great Aeolian Skinner organ he made his own.

[davlber221]

We haven't had this type of talent since Virgil! What a fabulous piece of history!

[ASAngelo]

Magic!

[Win21000]

Stupide music !!!! franchement c'est insuportable....beurk !!! 

[Win21000]

Stupide music !!!! franchement c'est insuportable....

[clydesight]

I love this piece. I have the original album by Capitol when it came out in the 1960's (Played in Paris with orchestra). Fox played it brilliantly then as he does here. He was an incredible talent and brought the organ to many ears who would otherwise have never appreciated it.

It is great to see him playing the organ here. What a nightmare to play it! But what music! Joseph Jongen is an unacknowledged genius. What talent!

Thanks for the video. I've made it a favorite!

[jgesselberty]

Fox was as close to a rock star as any organist will ever be. He brought the organ out of the church and into the concert hall.

[cowboypainthorse]

Simply the greatest. PERIOD. I saw him 'live' five different times and each time he brought the audience to the greatness of Bach, and others. Virgil never took credit for his own talent, but merely 'thanked' Bach for providing the great music that we all have learned to enjoy in our lifetime.

Thank you, sir.

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@cowboypainthorse Thank you very much for your insight. Really,,it made my day because not a lot of people are able to see what you did,,that Virgil Fox was a humble man, who thanked God every day of his life for the gift He gave to him. He did not take the gift for granted and worked without stopping all his life to maintain it even as he walked in the valley of the shadow of death. I know I lived it with him and I wept for him in his pain which he tried so hard to keep hidden from his fans.

[Shenandoah58]

@cowboypainthorse I agree....he always gave Bach or the organ credit. He saith once, "Playing the organ is easy. Just hit the right keys at the right time and the rest is easy......" Funny.

[davbear221]

Heavens! This work is challenging for an orchestra much less the organist!!! GO VIRGIL! He is responsible for turning many many folks on to the organ during his time on this earth! Who can we say that about today! Very few can even come close to his passion and energy!

[ecopower78]

VIRGIL FOX WAS THE MAN AND THE CONSUMATE ORGANIST PERIOD!! AS AN ORGANIST I TRIED TO EMMULATE HIM BUT NEVER DUPLICATE HIM!! LOVE TO VIRGIL AND THANK GOD FOR GIVING HIM TO US.

[TheKingOfAmazement]

how did Virgil Fox die??

THEKINGOFAMAZEMENT

[Musicbychuckjvl]

very well done.

[Noshirm]

Fox was an amazing organist...a serious musician who was a show-stopper - yet there is no hint of vulgarity in his approach to the music. His last recordings were a work of love, a display of heroicism in the best sense of the word. They also contain some amazing playing of 'heavy organ' as he would call it! Bravo, Virgil! (:-0)

[lithwl]

This is from the May 6, 1979 program at Riverside. No question about this console being the fabulous Skinner. For those uncertain, look at the center of the couplers. The black and red are a sure giveaway.

Harry Littman

former Black Beauty owner

[lithwl]

This is Riverside, NY May 6, 1979, not the Hour of Powder. This is a Skinner. No question.

Harry Littman

former Black Beauty owner

[18chrisbliss]

whats up with the delay?

[lyndon1904]

@18chrisbliss There isn't a delay. The sound and video are out of sync.

[rbmoser]

Good morning facebook family!

[Psyche777able]

What a colorful,and master of the organ. America was blessed with Mr. Fox,and

E.Power Biggs. Great piece of music. Thanks for posting it.

[hertzp2]

In case you thought the Hammand B3 was the holy grail, Al Cooper meet Virgil Fox.

[simonsteam]

Incredible really even the great organists today most use music for pieces like widors 6th symphony(allegro) to movments of bach etc so to play this piece from memory shows the kind of brain that Virgil had. True showmanship.

[STEVE4902]

Some registration problems at 1:34. I have no idea how these guys play from memory. A LOT of notes in this piece!

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

I was there when Dr. Fox recorded this amazing composition. The French instrument

was made for this work I'm sure. There is quite a story with this, that I will tell someday. (perhaps)

Blessings

[clydesight]

I have the original Capitol recording at the Palais du Chalillot with Virgil playing this piece, and a re-release of the same (I wore out the first recording). It made me an instant fan.

The music is incredible, and incredibly difficult (I imagine). I have never heard anyone play this work as well as Virgil.

In fact, didn't he bring it to the US back in the 1960's?

Anyway, a wonderful piece by a wonderful organist. Thanks for the video!

[lustful2]

Virgil Fox was a legend ! He just makes this piece sound incredible and his playing so effortless.

[Jacobre156]

I would give almost anything to be half as good as Virgil...

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@Jacobre156 When asked how to play better,,in my presence, he would look the person in the eye and tell them to practise. Virgil practised everyday a minimum of 4 hours,in addition to concert preperation time. So friend, practise,,just be good enough to be happy and glorify God with your gift. Virgil did!

[acoustics101]

I have a Crystal Clear Records direct to disk recording of Virgil playing this same piece at the Garden Grove Community Church before the Crystal Cathedral was built. Listening to it always blows me away!!

[gforce2002]

@acoustics101

I have that same recording! Yeah, it's amazing. Even today it's clarity beats most CDs. Oh and the performance is amazing, of course.

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@acoustics101 .That recording session blew Virgil away too.I believe the recording experience of Direct to Disc took what was left of his physical strength and in my opinion hastened his death.

David Snyder Revelation Lights/Heavy Organ

[istop4red]

Wow. Anyone who can play this without an orchestra (or a registrant) has my respect.

[MrDomi77]

rock n'roll !!!!

[enchammade16]

Those two fighting on the comments, Please exchange emails, and have a war of words there. it's not necessary to do that on here. It's very childish, and you should know better. As we say in the south, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Pleas spare the rest of us your petty arguments.

[MTheChequeGuy]

I so would have loved to have been at this concert. The pagentry in this work is amazing, and to hear it live would have been memorable!

[tbb1985]

unbelievable... :)

[paulbinko]

This recital was given 30 years ago this month! Wow!

[bombarde1701]

Yes but he recorded it on the Ruffati Organ at Davies Hall in San Francisco.

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@bombarde1701 Sorry. Virgil never recorded anything in Davies Hall in SF or on any Ruffatti Organ anywhere,,ever.!

David Snyder Revelation Lights Heavy Organ

[caddyorganist]

@DavidSnyderLumierist Ahh but he did record a Ruffatti. The organ at the Garden Grove Community Church was a Ruffatti. What a recording!!

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@DavidSnyderLumierist

I must correct myself. Virgil did infact record on one Ruffatti, in Crystal Cathedral. I dont know how I ever forgot THAT ordeal. He suffered so in making those two records, perhaps I blocked it out from my memory because of that..

Thank you for recalling that for me.

Blessings

[tommyupoo]

great work

He cant play bach well but he plays this like a treat

[Cramnella]

There's almost nothing better...

[EMWBOI07]

THIS IS GREAT!!!

[tommyupoo]

Anyone heard of Simon Preston or John Scott? Or have these organists been wiped out?

[Contrubas]

They certainly have not been wiped out. They are held in high regard amongst us proper organists! John Scott is at St Thomas' Church New York and Simon Preston is a free lance recitalist.

[tamiasthechipmunk]

Oh man I wish the great Virgil Fox were still alive. His prowess behind the console is absolutely mesmerizing. The only organist that even remotely comes close to this level of performance is Diane Bish

[codeman2008]

What about Olivier Latry, Paul Jacobs, Cameron Carpenter, Felix Hell, Keith Chapman, Pierre Cochereau? They are (or were) all up there too!

Virgil is the man though!

[Sesquiltera]

I think Bish and Carpenter come most close.

[Contrubas]

I don't rate Bish at all. However, Cameron Carpenter has a great technique but dreadful taste!

[lipsbach]

You don't rate Bish at all based on what? She's a terrific musician, impeccable organist. Her video series is wonderful; high quality performances, with excellent repertoire played on interesting instruments. I would bet that you can't see past her gender and style of dress, to the music.

[Contrubas]

Based on the simplicity of her performance and the simplicity of her arrangements. I bet I can see past her gender and style of dress because I listen to the music not look at the person playing! Maybe you derive your musical pleasure on a different level than I do and find how the performer dresses an important issue. I don't! Cameron Carpenter dresses like a twink and acts like a real weirdo but his playing is superb.

[lipsbach]

Really...your ignorance is shocking. Elsewhere you've written that the music she chooses to play isn't really that challenging (I paraphrase). She in fact plays note perfect performances of most of the classic organ repertoire: Bach, Widor, Mulet, Vierne, Liszt, et alia. Maybe you should comment about things you know about. And post a few of your "professional organist" videos.

[Contrubas]

I truly am ignorant when discussing music with someone like you - I am in fact, quite humbled. I assume that you are an American and that your quest to tell the world of your knowledge is high on your agenda. I did not say that the music she chooses to play is not challenging - i said that there was a certain simplicity in her performances and arrangements. Note perfect they may be - off the page and into my soul they are not! I applaud your list of of organ composers - well done.

[smithjord]

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this for solo organ only? I have looked everywhere and only been able to find the orchestral accompinament.

I know Virgil transcribed this himself, but I was wondering if there was a solo copy out now...

[paulbinko]

I don't think one exists. My thinking is Virgil did the arr. in his head -- was never written down. Anyone else know different?

[sina4]

Virgil recorded the Jongen for the historic Bainbridge digital/Direct Metal Master sessions at the Garden Grove Community Church (the Schuller church preceding the crystal cathedral). I am lucky to have one of only 1000 copies ever pressed of the DMM release. As for the digital, it is the first commercial digital recording made in the US, and is still in print. Amazon has these listed as 'The Digital Fox, volumes I and II' - highly recommended.

[bombarde1701]

I have it too. But they did release them on CD in different forms and I have one of them as well.

[Principal16]

Awesome work with CANCER and just before his death! Virgil is the best!!

[Sesquiltera]

@Principal16: "It is not in good times that we get to know the greatness of a man, but in bad times.

[puevilh]

This was an extremely tough performance for him. His speed was really slowing down during the middle of the video. He could barely get his right hand to move in pace with his left. I'm surprised he did as well as he did for this performance WITH cancer.

Rest in peace, Virgil.

[12inchshell]

Everyone needs to remember he was terminally ill with cancer for this last public performance. HE had been sick for quite some while. You'd never know by watching this or listening to it.

[Sinatra70]

This actually wasn't his last public performance; it was only his last performance at Riverside. He continued to concertize for over a year before dying in 1980. His last concert was in September 1980 with the Dallas Symphony.

[praisethelord333]

who is the composer of this toccata? now virgil vox do a good job - but often to much show and not enaugh consentraition.

[aakned]

Joseph Jongen composed it.

[sina4]

This is the Tocatta movement from the Symphonie Concertante, OP. 81, by Joseph Jongen. The Symphonie Concertante was commissioned by the Wanamaker family in Philadelphia for the massive pipe organ located in the John Wanamaker department store. You should listen to the recording Virgil made for the Digital Fox records of the late 70's - amazing.

[SetnaroD]

hahaha. the sound is off...really good though.

[WBBugleBoy]

Which organ is this and where is it?

[livzdave]

The Riverside Church, NYC. Aeolian-Skinner that was heavily modified to suit Virgil's playing style.

[organman52]

So why don't automobile manufacturers 'heavily modify' our cars to 'suit our driving style'?

What absolute nonsense.

[istop4red]

Ummm...let's see...pretty much anyone can drive a car (witness the number of idiots on the road). For that matter, with a bit of training, anyone can fly a 747. To perform Jongen solo on a 5 manual organ.....does apples to oranges mean anything to you?

[organman52]

WTF are you talking about?

[codeman2008]

Virgil designed the Aeolian-Skinner organ there, it replaced a Hook Hastings instrument in poor condition. The console was put in quite a while before the organ was, and was used as the Hook Hastings organ for a while, before the Aeolian-Skinner was constructed. The organ has been added to frequently since Virgil Fox left in 1965. However, the organ was not modified to fit his style, because the new organ was all his idea, and it was modified (additions) years after he left the church.

[slowdog294]

Killer organ playing by one of the finest. 5 stars. Virgil is pure legend. A true master.

The Bone Doctor

Walnut Hill Productions

Ridgecrest, California

[tactilex]

Interesting questions about reverberation time. Remember, reverberation is not the same as echo. Reverb is how long the room stays energized with a sound, while echo is sound bouncing back and forth. The natural reverb of a great building is a great addition to an organ (though when you get up into multiple seconds of reverb it means you have to slow down or lose the musical line), whereas echo would be disastrous.

[ragtimemarkbirnbaum]

DIVINE

MAGICAL

THE FOX IS KING!

THX

[Sentfromheaven87]

the virgil fox legacy will live on

[Principal16]

wow!

[FriarJim]

The organ was at about 65% at this time and is now being totally rebuilt as a result of the fire in the cathedral 2001. It is scheduled to be back this year!

[istop4red]

I think you're referring to St. John the Divine, not Riverside.

[maxazi]

sei convinto che sia musica?

[subwaysleuth]

How I miss Virgil Fox! He brought people who never knew the majesty of the organ together. Not perhaps "an organist's organist," he was more The King of The King of Instruments for many Americans, in his time. He never took the easy way out. Spellbinding!

[hitidesin]

Wow... wonderful! To critics, I say what Virgil said to me many years back , ""IF"" they critize, then may they spell my name right!"

[accousticdecay]

Please refrain from profanity here. This man was a servant of the Almighty and we should address this forum with decorum. The organ has five manuals and 204 ranks. That's very large.

[jenius92000]

frikin hell...how many stops and manuals does that organ have?

[Reesman95]

I'd love to learn this piece, but one I'm only 12 years old so I'm not that advanced

[AllenOrganCrazy]

I've wanted to get this piece too. So you are only 12? I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only young person on here! I'm 14.

[Reesman95]

zI think it would sound good with just brass

[orgatrain]

you critical fools should ask yourselves what have you done lately to advance the cause of the pipe organ..?

You must also understand that this was not a "Professional recording" it is not "stereo" and

"Virgil was in late stages of Cancer which had metasticized to his fingers" - per T.A.Worth

SO, ARE YOU A SELF PROCLAIMED VIRTUOSO?, Thats what I thought, now shut up and LEARN!

GO VIRGIL

[laclef2007]

Oh yeah...

I'm agree with you.

Virgil Fox was a real Master, like Pierre Cochereau. Critic is easy... art is difficult.

[theblackhand2]

My sentiments exactly! Before any of you criticize this video, try playing this exact piece on your pipe organ or at least play something on any keyboard instrument while wearing a pair of heavy duty winter gloves. For added effect wait until you are in the 2nd day of the flu when yout feeling really down and out. Then you'll know what Virgil was going through during this recording.

[orgatrain]

Virgil was dying of prostate cancer at the time, the recording is a mono VHS, and this was before the reverb absorbing Gustavino tiles in Riverside were sealed.....BUT THIS IS ONE HELL OF A PERFORMANCE - SOLI DEO GLORIA!

[anooraq]

An incredible man with an enormous talent! There is noone to follow is his footsteps. If you dusagree, please let me know with the appropriate links.

[ny1news]

Cameron Carpenter is the only one worthy.

[PONTYPRENNAU]

I want to do this piece with orchestra but can't seem to find the score or parts anywhere. I play my own solo transciption already but don't fancy writing out the orchestral parts from a cd! Help anyone?

[accousticdecay]

I believe that Paul is correct. Somebody smashed two analog sources together. And about mistakes... they validate live performance. I make them every day... every minute. Two or three seconds of accoustic decay indicates failure of the architect and other poobahs to consider the requirements of a proper pipe organ, which is 5 seconds minimum.

[octave4]

The Riverside was coated in acoustid deadenind material. This later removed and now the organ sound much better.

[diaphone32]

GO virgil

[vinniecaruso]

does anyone have a score of this piece that they would feel nice enough to wanna send me

[smileychaiguy]

I have made a very similar transcription of this piece. If you plan on playing it I hope you are prepared to practice for quite a number of weeks/months depending on how good of a reader you are. This piece is no joke, and of course you realise that with the solo parts written in, many of the sixteenth note patterns which were written for two hands will need to be played by one hand alone. If you are up to the challenge of learning it I would be happy to send the score to you.

[AllenOrganCrazy]

I would like the score if that is possible! Just email me through youtube! -Jon

[e3013x]

i am up to the challenge. my address is P O BOX 933,AGODI IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA. thanks a lot. might even paste its performance here on u tube

[tamias6]

Virgil Fox was a god! Awesome Piece on an Awesome Organ. I wish he was still alive.

[gfmartin]

Is there any way to find a solo organ arrangement of this? I'm dying to do it on a recital! Thanks...

[setakht]

From what I've read it was his own transcription, and he never published it....

[wehtam721]

Thanks for all of your responses to my comment. That's what I had figured...It would be suicide to try to play an instrument that had delay that bad...it's like 2-3 notes behind. The smallest of delays can be quite disconcerting. Thanks for posting the video, Virgil was amazing and it's great the a new generation can find his videos and become fans!

[setakht]

Riverside was supposed to have had around 2 seconds of reverb..which could account for it depending on how far the the console is from the rest of it (I can't remember) and where the microphone was....but some of the big European Cathedrals have something like 4 or 5 seconds of reverb...imagine playing through that.

[octave4]

Here is a better one - St. John the Divine in New yourk has 8 seconds of reverb. I is like standing at the edge of the ocean an the sound is like waves washing over you. Riverside, when Fix played there as dead owing to acoudtic materials. this has since been removed and the sound greatly improved.

[paulbinko]

I think what everyone is seeing and hearings in these clips are from two separate sources: The audio from the cassette recording and the video feed that Virgil provided. The two sources were combined together to produce these wonderful clips, and as a result of these two separate sources, they get out of synchronization. Please correct me if I am mistaken. Thanks for posting these clips of Virgil!

[paulbinko]

Virgil did not want this recital to be audio recorded and sold. However, and individual in the audience used a stereo cassette recorder without permission and recorded the entire performance. This recording was later mastered digitally and is available on a two CD disks.

[paulbinko]

If I have this wrong, please, someone correct me, but as I understand it, these clips represent Virgil's final concert given at the Riverside Church in May of 1979, just 18 months before he succumbed to prostate cancer. Virgil's intentions for this recital was to not have it recorded, but that an video feed, which you see here, be provided so that the audience could have a better look at him at the console.

[TRMPLSPYKR]

Paul, I have it on authority of Fred Swann, then Organist/ChoirMaster at Riverside that it was the music committee who refused to allow the recording. There was long-standing bad blood between Virgil and the powers that were at Riverside. The church's audio engineer actually used the hanging mikes over the choir to make the recording that was eventually digitized and issued on CD.

[mendax1773]

Is this video from the last concert he gave at the Riverside church? I have the CD of this concert and he seems to be making the same mistakes.

[wehtam721]

Are the video and audio on this clip out of sync a little bit or is the delay on the instrument *that* bad?

[FrCusus]

Video and audio are out of sync.

[GrandeChoeur]

Where is this organ?  Is it the old Rodgers from Carnegie Hall?

[ptrams2005]

Its the Aeolean-Skinner at Riverside Church - NYC

[bigposaune]

He was the titular of that organ!!!