@dersiano You should hear his interpretation of Widor's symphony 5 - it's simply exhilarating, nearly note-perfect, light, energetic, and not the dirge people have played lately
Bought some Elsasser "cut-outs" [albums w/o original jackets, in plain white sleeves with a hole punched in the label] mid-'60s at the two King Karol Times Sq. stores for 99c. Was impressed with Widor's Tocatta but his take on Vierne Bells of Beaupre and Bells of Westminster were and are unique. His work featured carillon which has never been done to such great effect, especially with the Hammond organ. E.'s work ripe for reissue/rediscovery.
@mhdantholz elsasser was most excellent! the first bell piece you refer to is by alexander russell, not vierne. and remember the hammond castle organ is not a hammond organ!
When I was a kid my parents would take me to hear Elsasser play concerts at a Lutheran church in Long Beach, CA (Our Saviours?) I remember the organ had an antiphonal division. I want to say it was a Reuter but I'm not sure.
Ah, Richard Elsasser !! Haven't seen his name bandied about in many years. Some of the first organ LP's I ever bought were his performances at the Hammond Castle. Lots of interesting repertoire (including the only performance I've ever heard anywhere of Leroy Anderson's "The Phantom Regiment." ) He also had a wonderful rendtion of "March of the Siamese Children" from "The King & I." They just don't do stuff like that any more (if they ever did before Elsasser tackled it ;-)
@a55b47 - - Richard Elsasser also had "Bacchanale" on that record - - I have never heard anybody play it at all on organ - - The whole album is awesome, it was recorded at Hammond Castle sometime back in the late 50's I think. Too bad they let the organ fall into such disrepair.
Must be the fastest performance ever! Bravo!!
dersiano 4 months ago
@dersiano You should hear his interpretation of Widor's symphony 5 - it's simply exhilarating, nearly note-perfect, light, energetic, and not the dirge people have played lately
farthereast54 6 days ago
Bought some Elsasser "cut-outs" [albums w/o original jackets, in plain white sleeves with a hole punched in the label] mid-'60s at the two King Karol Times Sq. stores for 99c. Was impressed with Widor's Tocatta but his take on Vierne Bells of Beaupre and Bells of Westminster were and are unique. His work featured carillon which has never been done to such great effect, especially with the Hammond organ. E.'s work ripe for reissue/rediscovery.
mhdantholz 1 year ago
@mhdantholz elsasser was most excellent! the first bell piece you refer to is by alexander russell, not vierne. and remember the hammond castle organ is not a hammond organ!
lipsbach 1 year ago
My father was a minister. My parents were so impressed by Richard's work that they named me after him. Richard Mettling.
richmettling 1 year ago 2
When I was a kid my parents would take me to hear Elsasser play concerts at a Lutheran church in Long Beach, CA (Our Saviours?) I remember the organ had an antiphonal division. I want to say it was a Reuter but I'm not sure.
bobareebop 1 year ago
Can annyone please put another piece of this very good organist on this board.
I lost my DVD.
Charles Ives "Variations on America".
He playes it fantastic.
PeterBerlinMitte 1 year ago
Ah, Richard Elsasser !! Haven't seen his name bandied about in many years. Some of the first organ LP's I ever bought were his performances at the Hammond Castle. Lots of interesting repertoire (including the only performance I've ever heard anywhere of Leroy Anderson's "The Phantom Regiment." ) He also had a wonderful rendtion of "March of the Siamese Children" from "The King & I." They just don't do stuff like that any more (if they ever did before Elsasser tackled it ;-)
a55b47 2 years ago
@a55b47 - - Richard Elsasser also had "Bacchanale" on that record - - I have never heard anybody play it at all on organ - - The whole album is awesome, it was recorded at Hammond Castle sometime back in the late 50's I think. Too bad they let the organ fall into such disrepair.
hottrodscars 7 months ago