I used to go to the organ recitals regularly when I lived in San Diego. I always enjoyed it but I was never blown away. Then I went to a special performance by a visiting organist (too many years under the bridge to remember who it was :-( ). The man made the organ come alive. I concluded that it's really a fine organ but needs the right player.
@inyobill I heard Paul Jacobs a few years ago. He played a memorized program (but not the one exactly in his program). He played Bach with enthusiasm like Virgil Fox would have and the audience loved it. Most of the programs are good but not exactly exciting. (like most organ recitals)
If you have not heard this instrument in person, do get to San Diego to hear it sometime. An amazing achievement, placing an instrument outdoors like this and having it sound so good. The instrument itself is very versatile...I have heard many different types or music played on it, and it can handle anything. The trip inside the organ after the concert is alone reason to go.
Notice how everything is nice and 'crisp'. Such intonation was imperative at St Pauls Cathedral, with its 9 seconds reverberation. Here perhaps a bit overdone, on what is a fairly dire organ.
With 9 seconds of reverbation, in order to play the piece while keeping it as crisp as you can, you have to forget about playing anything close to legato and of course play the piece alot slower.
Lyle Blackinton is the white haired man turning pages. He is the organ curator and has been maintaining the organ for years. If you go to the Sunday 2pm concerts, you can see inside the organ chambers afterward.
I just saw a concert on Lyle Blackinton's organ at Bethal University (about 3 weeks ago) and it fantastic! He even attened the concert and talked about the concert and his organ. It was part of a radio brodcast called pipedreams. :-)
How on earth do they keep that organ tuned and voiced when it looks as though it is exposed to outdoor temperatures??? The organ sounds great thanks for posting the video.
Well, it usually is not very well in tune! :-) But they sure try and its pretty cool nevertheless. (Naturally it helps that it is in a San Diego climate, not a New England climate). Oh, also it is covered by a big garage door when not in use, so that helps a bit... its only truly outdoors when the door is open for use.
I agree. She has brought style and class to her job as civic organist. She surrounds herself with the finest world-class organists and she is supported by the Spreckles Organ Society which raises money to keep this incredible organ going from year to year.
Dr. Carol Williams is the first woman civic organist in the US. She is a successful international concert organist performing all over the world and also performs most every Sunday at 2pm on the Spreckels Organ for a free concert in Balboa Park San Diego, CA.
Attend a concert in person to see and experience her talent for real. Carol has many CDs and her latest release is a DVD call "TourBus" to the King of Instruments. Learn more about Carol at CarolWilliamsNow
I used to go to the organ recitals regularly when I lived in San Diego. I always enjoyed it but I was never blown away. Then I went to a special performance by a visiting organist (too many years under the bridge to remember who it was :-( ). The man made the organ come alive. I concluded that it's really a fine organ but needs the right player.
inyobill 2 weeks ago
@inyobill I heard Paul Jacobs a few years ago. He played a memorized program (but not the one exactly in his program). He played Bach with enthusiasm like Virgil Fox would have and the audience loved it. Most of the programs are good but not exactly exciting. (like most organ recitals)
8891randy 2 weeks ago in playlist Uploaded videos
It is a pity that all the recordings of this organ on Youtube seem to be in mono so the sound quality is dramatically reduced.
goodchappy 9 months ago
If you have not heard this instrument in person, do get to San Diego to hear it sometime. An amazing achievement, placing an instrument outdoors like this and having it sound so good. The instrument itself is very versatile...I have heard many different types or music played on it, and it can handle anything. The trip inside the organ after the concert is alone reason to go.
bobareebop 1 year ago
This is the best playing on this organ I've ever heard!
Contrubas 2 years ago
John Scott is an awesome musician. Maybe it's the organ or the recording or both...this sounds like trite crap. And I love this tuba tune.
lipsbach 2 years ago
Whomever played this piece has little to no talent
scorekeepn 2 years ago
Waw, great video.
princeboudewijn 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Learn how not to play the organ like an accordion. This music is terrible. (the Video is good tho)
scorekeepn 3 years ago
Notice how everything is nice and 'crisp'. Such intonation was imperative at St Pauls Cathedral, with its 9 seconds reverberation. Here perhaps a bit overdone, on what is a fairly dire organ.
ds1868 3 years ago
With 9 seconds of reverbation, in order to play the piece while keeping it as crisp as you can, you have to forget about playing anything close to legato and of course play the piece alot slower.
Ntalikeris666 2 years ago
what a good organist, your quite AMAZING!
poopingeneral 4 years ago
He's the former Organist of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England, he is one of the best ever, but now he is in New York.
BeFrSc 4 years ago
I wish the acoustics was better though. Maybe they need to put on a roof on the area as this will improve the acoustics of this great organ
busta4u 4 years ago
This is great..wow!
busta4u 4 years ago
Lyle Blackinton is the white haired man turning pages. He is the organ curator and has been maintaining the organ for years. If you go to the Sunday 2pm concerts, you can see inside the organ chambers afterward.
8891randy 4 years ago
I just saw a concert on Lyle Blackinton's organ at Bethal University (about 3 weeks ago) and it fantastic! He even attened the concert and talked about the concert and his organ. It was part of a radio brodcast called pipedreams. :-)
classicalmusic1mzrt 4 years ago
How on earth do they keep that organ tuned and voiced when it looks as though it is exposed to outdoor temperatures??? The organ sounds great thanks for posting the video.
classicalmusic1mzrt 4 years ago
Well, it usually is not very well in tune! :-) But they sure try and its pretty cool nevertheless. (Naturally it helps that it is in a San Diego climate, not a New England climate). Oh, also it is covered by a big garage door when not in use, so that helps a bit... its only truly outdoors when the door is open for use.
andyofvermont 3 years ago
I agree. She has brought style and class to her job as civic organist. She surrounds herself with the finest world-class organists and she is supported by the Spreckles Organ Society which raises money to keep this incredible organ going from year to year.
8891randy 4 years ago
Dr. Carol Williams is the first woman civic organist in the US. She is a successful international concert organist performing all over the world and also performs most every Sunday at 2pm on the Spreckels Organ for a free concert in Balboa Park San Diego, CA.
Attend a concert in person to see and experience her talent for real. Carol has many CDs and her latest release is a DVD call "TourBus" to the King of Instruments. Learn more about Carol at CarolWilliamsNow
BellVideo 4 years ago