Virgil Fox Legacy | Bach | Come Sweet Death

[bassonfire]

No one could have played it better than Virgil Fox. I had the absolute pleasure to see him play in Seattle in 1975. The feeling he puts into it..and no sheet music!

[railfanatic844]

come sweet death, such a beautiful yet true piece

[AllTheStopsJB]

This organ does not do this song justice. The Wanamaker is so much better, and so is the Coral Ridge Ruffatti!

[technocrash09]

@AllTheStopsJB I agree and even heard Virgil twice on the Wannamaker! This 100% portable "travelling console" that he used was his way of bringing his talent and love for the instrument to venues that did not have an organ (or at least one that sounded to his liking).

peace

[technocrash09]

@technocrash09 My apologies to all....Although it looks similar to his "travelling console", this, in fact, is the organ at North Phoenix Baptist Church.

I do apologise if I mislead anyone. Virgil was my very most favorite musician and I do not wish to misrepresent him in any way! :)

peace

[cb77305]

At 6:19 there comes up out of the all the many stops a beautiful base register - what is it? Also remarkable is way he throws off most of the louder stops with combination buttons.

[Mrklavierspieler]

@cb77305 i think 32 or 16' bombarde

[Psugrad1998]

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. The Crecendo at 4:15 is amazing, and is like being welcomed into paradise.

[rotory2002]

4:03 kinda sends it home....

[hymnistic]

This recording should put to rest any arguments the Virgil Fox was "merely" a showman. Who would ever think to play this so slow? Who would bother to take so much time putting color and nuance into every change of harmony? A genius is who. It's not possible to play this more beautifully than this. Bach was aware the Baroque would not last forever but his music would; that 's why he wrote it down. Get the free score at:: icking-music-archive. It's Johann S. Bach BWV 478-Komm suesser Tod

[hymnistic]

BTW This is simply a 4 part chorale (hymn) played twice nearly straight up (note wise) . What is unique is the slow tempo, the pauses and of course the registration changes that make it breath taking along with the huge crescendo to the end taking place in slow motion and then the soft ending. What's amazing is that Bach wrote this "Sturm und Drang" into the very texture of his music without capability of dynamic or color changes. Only after his death were these possibilities fully realized.

[flobtheblob]

it's almost as though you can hear lyrics in the notes. the message of the song is so clear it's almost as if it was sung in words

[violindave2]

to Holonen: Virgil Fox wrote this arrangement to be played on the great Wanamaker Pipe Organ here in Phila. which is much larger than this organ. Fox had to modify his original arrangement to be played on this instrument. Still, it's fantastic.

[jayfreewebgear]

Terry, Outside of Ted Alan Worth, I think he is the only one that plays it like that. Incredible. Mpmcd81 that is the most insightful thing I have ever heard about this piece. Virgil is probably the most talented organist that has ever lived. He made this world a better place.

[SphinxFriend]

I also play organ, I play Gothic for theater organ. And one of these days theater pipe organ.

[amourdutigre]

This is one of two compositions that choke me up everytime (the other is the adagio for strings by Barber). That fact along with the fact that this was played by THE Virgil Fox, make it legendary. I do like the Wanamaker version better, as the sound seemed better even though there is no video footage of him playing on the Wanamaker.

This performance is still extremely moving, though.

Peace,

ADT

[bmacz28]

These intervals you are speaking of were far out of place in Bach's time (1685-1750). virtually every peice Bach wrote had the "evil" intervals used multiple times in all voices, especially in fuges. He did have a choice of what he did, in fact he traveled by foot or carraige all across Germany and once to Italy I believe to learn techniques from renowned professors of his time, and then had as many as 5 church services to play on Sundays, by choice.

[LJBSasha]

It was Mozart and Händel who travelled to Italy, NOT J.S. Bach in so far as I know, sorry to say.

Yes, Bach did travel across a fair bit of Germany - however, it wasn't all across of it. There were many areas where he never apparently set foot. As it was, for him to get to Hamburg from his home area was a long jaunt - walking 200 miles (320 km.)!!! How many of us would be willing to even contemplate such a journey then, let alone do it? Probably not many...

[Aristede]

@LJBSasha Correct! Bach never left his native Germany.

[Arky83mi]

@LJBSasha He even spent a little time in jail in Weimer if my memory serves me right...naughty Bach!

[holonen]

I belie that this arrangement is based on Leopold Stokowskis adaption of the piece for orchestra. Think I read it somewhere.

[whisperr33]

WOW holy crap, does anyone have the arrangement for this??

[lucy89ethel96]

I just got if through Amazon. It's in "At the Organ with Virgil Fox", Alfred Publishing Co. It has most of his registrations annotated throughout.

[SacTowndrumvibes]

Virgil was an amazing musician.

[boneymad]

I remember as a college student at Morris Brown College in Atlanta meeting Mr. Fox. Dr. Hubert knew everyone!

[ryorgan]

Didn't he once say that he wanted to play the organ for all eternity in heaven? Such an instrument must be inspired of God and God knows the man who can play it best. If so I want to be there to listen for all eternity.

[aafdirector]

WOW for YOU to recall THAt statement of virgil, YOU MUST be or have been a fan.

[copier1111]

It makes me weep every time i hear this piece of music being played especially when Virgil plays it...... I problably want to let it perform on my funeral service...This is longing for eternal peace in music...BEAUTIFUL !!!

[spacewoman7]

I was absolutely BLESSED to see the Virgil Fox Sound and Light Show in 1971 at East Carolina University in North Carolina. I Bought his album, have played and treasured it through the years. Hearing Virgil Fox play, was like hearing Bach himself play. No one could beat the expression by his hands. And by the way the Light show was FANTASTIC, went with the beat of the music, flowing changing shapes and colors.

[aafdirector]

spacewoman, YOU are in dire need to express your self to the Virgil fans. I have some original recorded music whif I figure out hou to post it

[noteworthy99]

God bless you Virgil for leaving us this. Pity the organ was not up to the same standard as the musician. Thankfully Virgil recorded this on The Wanamaker, a supreme match of master and instrument. Thanks for posting anyway, it provides us with another view of Virgil in action.

[gingervytis]

Learning of Virgil Fox, of JS Bach, becoming interested in the serious study of keyboard music... all changed my life, literally.

[cb77305]

What album is this from? I'd love to have it.

[Egestus18]

listening to this piece played by virgil makes me get goosebumps (even with 35°C outside...)

[cybershadow58]

"Bach, Shakespeare (& Fox) have felt everything!" ...and it is so expressed it in their works! Thank u Virgil for being on Earth when I was here too...i will always miss your beauty and your gift! U were my inspiration and my passion expressed!

[ottolauer]

Nothing compares to him, really.. The same piece played by others is not the same.

[CanadaPisces]

Sublime!

[silverstartrucker]

To hear Virgil playing this on the Wanamaker organ, look on my site. Audio only but a good compact disc quality sound.

[marscreation66]

you can play music for amativel horror mouvie

[mpmcd81]

You realize this was written by one of the greatest musical minds of all time as he lay dying after a life filled with tragedy and heartbreak from the loss of a wife and many children.

This is a song written by a man for whom death was not viewed as something to be feared, but rather as a sweet end to the sadness and hard life he knew on Earth, and it is is one of the greatest songs of faith in the goodness and love of God.

This is sublime.

[Painter7500]

@mpmcd81 That was a very moving statement...I appreciate that...It was written 14 years before he died, though.........When he was still writing one piece a week as per his contract...

[aafdirector]

@mpmcd81 WOW! Thank YOU. NO wonder fox played it as he did. Check out his Wannamaker version!

[technocrash09]

@mpmcd81 ....and played by bar-none---the MASTER of the King of instruments! If death is anything like Virgil playing this piece on his "travelling console", then it will indeed be sweet!

[passacaglia28]

@mpmcd81 I agree. I also believe the hymn, "Abide with me" has a similar story.

[hitidesin]

awesome remembrances... I knew Virgil for many years, he played three times on

my Kirk Organ Series...  such a great, more than GREAT talent.. We all miss his prescence in our world.

[Organistcomposer21]

Wow

[jtrieglaff]

I'm so glad I found this. My sister today sang the words to her dying husband. It is one of my all time favorite pieces having heard it by Virgil Fox in Palo Alto California in the 70s. Does anyone have all of the words?

[LJBSasha]

Two verses, first in the original German:

1) Komm süßer Tod! Komm sel'ge Ruh! Komm führe mich in Friede,

weil ich der Welt bin müde;

ach komm! Ich wart' auf dich,

komm bald und führe mich,

drück mir die Augen zu! Komm selge Ruh!

2) Komm süßer Tod! Komm sel'ge Ruh!

Ich will nun Jesum sehen und bei den Engeln stehen,

es ist nunmehr vollbracht, drum Welt zu guter Nacht,

mein Augen schon sind zu! Komm selge Ruh!

[LJBSasha]

English translation: 1) Come, sweet death, come blessed rest! Come lead me to peace, For I am weary of the world, Oh come! I wait for you, Come soon and lead me, Close my eyes. Come, blessed rest! 2) Come, sweet death, come blessed rest! I will now see my Jesus and with the angels mingle, it is finally accomplished, therefore, O World, good night, my eyes already close! Come, blessed rest!

[AM7227]

This is just wonderful.

I dont know if somone else has posted this. But if anyone is looking for this song elsewere its also called "Komm Susser Tod".

[snakeinthegrass20]

Fookin' brillian that. Ye' shit bastards !

5 of stars from me. Indeed.

[eat911t]

Sheer bliss. Thank you for this gem of video history.

[advisorC101]

This has such endless beauty and peace.

[earlph]

Great organist . Liked his version on the WANNAMAKER Organ even better . shame he has no registrant helper on this video that would make the whole more pleasant ...

[jonnybeatnic]

ive looked everywhere for days and days and ive gone to the music store and I cannot find it anywhere but Amazon but I cant order from there!! Do you have any idea where i could hear it? Thanks a lot!

[WeHoFur]

He was dealing with cancer! How poignent!

[Uraia]

Pure music poetry - played by a superb organist - poured from the darkest depths of a great human soul ... "If there is someone who is beholden to Bach for everything, this is God" (E.M. Cioran)

[LJBSasha]

Rather, God Our Heavenly Father Saw fit to grant Johann Sebastian Bach a very rarely bounteous measure of His Grace in addition to the colossal compositional, instrumental and theological talents that Bach was gifted with. Bach had an exceptionally accurate and profound vision of the Divine Glory; and he articulated it so well in his music (much of which has plenty of theological motives and connotations present throughout)!!!

[SacTowndrumvibes]

The "theological motives and connotations" you speak of are because Bach was forced to write music for the church. There was no other alternative for a composer that lived during his time. The church in Europe ruled all, including what music was allowed. He couldn't have written anything else but church music for most of his life or the Church you seem so respectful of could of had him killed. In fact, certain intervals weren't allowed in music because they were considered "evil".

[LJBSasha]

WRONG!!! That already was far from being the case in the 18th-century, including JS Bach's previous job in Köthen (where he served a secular ruler's court!!!). For your thesis to be true, you'd have to go back to about 1600 (Bach was born in 1685) - and even then, the greatest music patrons (regardless of it being sacred or secular) were the Imperial, royal, ducal and other such courts!!! It was only in Rome where the church really had that kind of power.

[LJBSasha]

As to the intervals, already by the Renaissance (1450-1600) such things like augmented 4ths/diminished 5ths were tolerated under certain conditions of resolution. Yes, they were "evil" ('diabolus in musica') but they weren't totally proscribed all the same...

As to the church harming Bach:  all one had to do was migrate to another town/principality (especially easy in Germany!!) and you'd then be OK...

[jimjamon]

come sweet death played by virgil fox is to my ear one of the most subtly powerful pieces of music i have ever heard. if you have not heard a recording of him playing it on the wannamaker organ, by all means do so!

[dininginfrance]

I got to hear Virgil Fox live three different times when I was in high school. but never got to hear him play this masterpiece live. If you're looking for an organ performance as powerful and poignant as this one, check out Karen Christianson's performance of the Strickland arrangement of Barber's Adagio for Strings. The Youtube channel is 'davidchristianson' who is her dad. (She's only 13.)

[kinura26]

beautiful this peace always chokes me up

[ChantalHarvey]

this is so moving, the way he plays it. i never heard it played like this.

[flaleesman]

a true organist i love the way he builds it up to full organ , by hand and not using the cresendo pedal great job!

[violindave2]

theblackhand2...Hello again. YES, Virgil Fox arranged this for the Wanamaker Pipe Organ here in Philadelphia. It's based on the orchestration by Leopold Stokowski. The Wanamaker organ was the only one Fox felt had the "string" division that matched Stokowski's orchestration. I hope you received my other correspondence RE: the Wanamaker Organ. Note: Wanamaker has only 1 "N".

[RonN448]

I had the pleasure of hearing Virgil Fox 'live' three times, and got to talk to him twice. I saw him in Kankakee, IL, in Naperville, IL at North Central College, and in Milwaukee, WI. Yes, Mr. Fox has been harshly criticized for his interpretations and for his flamboyant style. Still, he remains the one organist that most of us would like to emulate for his astoundingly brilliant and flawless technique before age and cancer dimished his virtuosity. Age and health will always take its toll.

[RonN448]

"Come, Sweet Death" has been a favorite of mine since I was a young teenager, and my mom wanted me to play it at her funeral. When that day came in September of 1998, I gave her her wish. I learned it from the sheet music of Fox's arrangement for the Wanamaker organ, published by the St. Cecilia Series. It was only through God's grace that I got through it without breaking down. Several people did. It was a very emotional day, and the piece still brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it.

[trevjr]

Not to be a critic but his recording on the Wanamaker is really the best. Wow, he really could play this. I have memories of listening to this recording, thats how great he and Bach are. Bach could not finish Art of Fugue, so he dictated this simple piece before he died. Amazing.

[theblackhand2]

Not sure on this but I think he arranged this work specifically for the Wannamaker.

[LJBSasha]

Alas, sir, you're wrong about "Komm, süßer Tod" being his last piece - it was "Wenn wir in Höchsten Nöten sein" ("When we in direst need are"). Otherwise, everything else you wrote above is correct.

[Jalapablo]

What a touch this man had. His brilliance is really in what he doesn't play, the phrasings of the cadences, the long, almost painful resolves. Perfectly timed with exceptional effect. My favorite organ performance on YouTube.

Paul

[ORGANICDUDE]

What an organist!!!! Very few can compare to this man, in terms of talent, interpretation and emotional delivery. No wonder the Amer Guild of Organists gave him a standing ovation when he performed this interpretation of Bach's classic, Kom Susser Tod. Brilliant. We miss you, Virgil!

[hortpower]

true music from the soul

[dale731]

As far as keyboards were concerned, there was Horowitz on piano and Fox on organ. End of story. Nobody played the way they did. We were lucky to have them.

[Brandotuomikoski]

what about liberace. they dressed alike , but liberaces state of mind was a little different

[LocomotiveBreath2882]

I've seen Virgil many times in his Heavy Organ series with Revelation Lights. He played this song at many of them. I truly believe that this was Virgil's "Swan Song". He took great pride in building the song ever so gently so that the listener didn't notice the build-up of ranks. Same held true for the ending. You can watch him adding stops & couplers to see how he did this. I hope Virgil is in heaven making such beautiful music as he did here on the earth! I hope to meet him there someday. RIP

[Isidroprada]

Come sweet death!

[Terrrrrry]

Very good, I been playing organ now for over 70 year's since I was 10, And I can tell you thier's not many people that can play like this!

[Brandotuomikoski]

yes true. such great emotion put into this song

[technocrash09]

@Terrrrrry Virgil's gift was not of this earth, for sure!

[voxkey]

This video always make me cry. I wish I had met Mr. Fox. It is obvious to me that he knew the music he played so thoroughly that he could forget the notes in a sense and just play from his heart. He spoke through his music. A fine model for any musician to emulate.

[pianman9119]

how can i get virgil fox's sheet music or notes?

[GazTheMusicMan]

Interesting that the console has no music desk whatsoever!

Did Virgil play everything from memory?

[sticki3000]

yes...!

[LJBSasha]

If you mean the Wanamaker Department Store organ-console: oh yes, it DOES have a music-stand (rather high up given that the console has 6 manuals!). However, Mr. Fox DID usually play from memory, if I recall correctly...

[DavidSnyderLumierist]

@LJBSasha Yes friend you are correct. Virgil Fox played only from memory, except if playing with an orchestra. The organ has a music rack and it has(had) 32,841 pipes and was never completed.

[WeHoFur]

I beleive he knew his time was coming, so poignant!

[WeHoFur]

I beleive he knew his time was coming, all the more poignant!

[octave4]

I heard him play this lice. There were not many dry eyes at that recital. Maaybe he was a showman and maybe he did bend the rules with time and phrasing. This was one organist who, only since the likes of Lynwood Farnahm, could fill every seat in any place he played. He brought Classical Organ to the masses - and they loved it. There is no ine alive today to take his place.

[maxazi]

organo troppo grande per certi organisti

[mdrndrum]

this is such a beautiful piece. it makes me cry :(

[ISE65]

Was this arrangement ever published?

[voce777]

Yes, by the H. W. Gray Music Company

[343kaka]

Do you know some website which is selling it?

[handelfan610]

he plays with such care. look how smooth he moves and how gentle he is with the organ. he also helps set the mood that the piece puts force.

[tactilex]

Where is this organ? Is it the Ruffatti that was in Garden Grove before they moved it to Crystal Cathedral?

thanks

[engine1385]

I believe Fox said he modeled his interpretation of this piece on the transcription Leopold Stokowski made for the Philadelphia Orchestra -- also very moving!

[mikejunior80]

Now I see why the organ was once regarded as the "King of instruments."

[diaphoneman]

"once regarded"?? When did it abdicate? And who's the new king? I promise you it ain't a Stratocaster. . .

The pipe organ is STILL king, and Fox was a Crown Prince. . .

So there.

[mikejunior80]

Please Forgive me I am a pianist.Though I think that to play such an instrument your whole body needs to be flexible than that of someone like me.

In this case you'd have the use of both hands and feet and nevermind the fact that especially playing a work like the Prelude and Fugue in D major,BWV 532 for organ.This is no disrespect still.

I'll have you know that I am and have always been a lover of the organ since my days of childhood and I have the greatest admiration and respect for Fox.

[LJBSasha]

Indeed the organ has never abdicated its proper rôle as the King of Instruments: it's errant people who've even lost touch with what is really music as well as what music is really about!! All of rock, "heavy-metal", rap, "Contemporary-Christian-Music" and everything else of that sort (Beatles included!) is but a poor substitute for the classical stuff; likewise, all the electronic "marvels" (synthesizers, etc.) won't truly equal a large pipe-organ, the greatest synthesizer of them all!!!

[Egestus18]

thats really true...

there is nothing, that compares to a pipeorgan

and i hope the day will come, when the king acclaims his power and all people will see the beauty

[vinnycor1]

I've met him, in 1975 at a concert. A true musician and artist. We chatted for a while and I learned from then on I would never b as good as virgil. His heart is too enormous. What a scholar and brilliant human being.

[jsbachman02]

Trust me when I say, it doesn't matter on interpretation. Why? As a child, Bach would study music by changing other people's compositions to how he saw fit or what he would do at certain points.

I'm a Bach scholar and love Bach. But, in my opinion, I don't think Bach would care much how it got played as long as it was played with full devotion to God. Mr. Fox does a fine job of that.

[flipscratch81]

amen.

[togoclay]

A true masterpiece. I saw Virgil Fox in Toronto, shortly before his passing. He was a true master of the organ.

[jt1stcav]

Watching this performance I realize what a meticulous performer Virgil was. He gave Bach's music a soul and life like no other (I pity the purists). There are other great organists out there today (Curley, Swann, Hell, et al), but none like the late, great Virgil Fox!

[m30hyper]

Ya know...Bach isn't here! Hasn't been for years!!!It's interpretation! Virgil is brilliant in this, and with his commentary Bach & Shakespeare felt EVERYTHING! Bach, on his withering his dying bed, said the words to the sublime song... come sweetest death, come blessed rest, and take MY hand... and gently lead... me... on...... What else can you say?!!?!? It's brilliant! I dare any to do better!! I have but yet to see one come close!!!

[BACHrroco]

Gloria Bach nas alturas!!!!!!!!

[straypixel]

Good, but the registration is not at all Bachian.

[snakeinthegrass20]

Yes and you would know Bach's preferences hmm ?

[theblackhand2]

I think one has to remember that 20th century and newer organs are much bigger, offer more voices, and are technologically more capable than organs of Bach's time. To be honest if Bach were placed at the console of a large modern organ he would be like a kid in a candy shop and would not be hesitant to take full advantage of the organ's capacities.

[nanticokeman]

great

[octave4]

Didanyone meet him? I tuned for hom In Boston Symphony Hall when he palyed. He was a regular guy when reheasing, joking, talking and always considerate. But when playing a recital - The absolute ultimate performer and showman. He loved the peole and loved the music. You NEVER see music when he plays. Real Old School.

[mbeth3000]

I knew Virgil Fox when I was a little girl,. I had no idea how famous he was! I always saw him as a family member! What you got on stage is what you got in real life! He loved life! I remember running around him when he wore that black cloak/velvety thing. He gave me & my sister 2 little kittens. I thought that Black Beauty was a horse! Virgil recorded "Music For The New Age" for my Dad.. So Yes, I met him and still love him to this day! M Wrenn "Music For the New Age" LP recorded

[snakeinthegrass20]

Anyne who knows Bach have the BWV ?

[nathanfornash]

BWV 478

[tamias6]

Absolutely moving! Anybody that can strike the soul like like this is a musical genius.

[silverstartrucker]

Brilliant Organist, pity about the weak sound......

[posaune16]

I'm choking back the tears as I write this - many thanks, tneorg, for posting this beautiful video.

[acchos]

THis is great, its even better on the wanamaker.

[violindave2]

You're right!! Virgil Fox wrote this arrangement on and for the Wanamaker Pipe Organ. He spent many nights alone in the store working on this arr., later saying it could ONLY be played on the Wanamaker with all it's voicing. My father took me to see and hear him at Wanamakers (1963?) when the album containing this piece was released. We each got a copy and Maestro Fox autographed them for us. He performed this along with other pieces live. Talk about goose-bumps.

[wehtam721]

I couldn't agree with you more. The 1964 recording that Virgil made there is amazing, as violindave2 said. More recently, a new recording has been made on the Wanamaker Organ by it's current Grand Court Organist, Peter Conte. Still Fox's arrangement, but the organ has been restored qutie a bit and sounds better than ever. Check it out if you liked this video.

[bf17852]

nobody beats the master!:)