Simon Gledhill rehearsing at the Atlanta Fox

[PlayerElectone]

Nobody does it better. Simon is truly one of - if not THE - best theatre organist of this generation.

[3dwurli]

@PlayerElectone If that is so, wheres the bookings? Wheres the audiences?

[AnOrganCornucopia]

@3dwurli - you might ask that of all organists, theatre or 'straight'. Great does not equal popular. I challenge anyone to say that you get more out of a Lady Gaga concert than an organ recital on a fine organ with works such as a Vierne organ symphony - but Lady Gaga fills stadia while worthwhile organ concerts struggle to attract hundreds. So it is with the theatre organ - now everyone wants to hear Blackpool style, but their preference is based entirely on nostalgia. They will soon die out.

[comptonplus]

@AnOrganCornucopia people obviously do feel they get more out of a lady ga ga concert because lady gaga can fill a venue whist theatre organs can't! I don't understand it, but there we go!

People have been saying the theatre organ will die in 10 years for around 40 or so years to my knowledge, it still carries on.

[MrTenonSaw]

This is so fantastic. How does he move his fingers so fast? Hours of practice as a lad I guess.

Why does he keep 'pumping' the swell pedal(s)'?

[barneyboscoe]

I saw /heard Simon Gledhill get a standing ovation at Harworth about 1994/5,when he played'The Thieving Magpie' an unforgetable experience.

[richardst1968]

Sounds like John Seng in places



[tregnier279]

Could someone explain the Möller stop tab colour meanings? They're much more colourful than WurliTzer's and Kimball's...

[TheBaritoneCrooner]

If you're going to emulate someone, why not Johnny Seng. He was one of, if not the best technically and artisticlly. Fortunatly, Simon doesn't need to imitate any other organist, he's fabulous in his own right.

[pianoman4Jesus]

Been much too long since I last encountered Mr. Gledhill in person. Thanks for reminding of the fond memories...

[BillButlerB3Organs]

SG is scheduled in Indianapolis March 21 2010

[Alleghenymike]

Wacko Manic...love the section where he rips up that Dm-M7 lick - intense!!

[mkb143]

Your playing is amazing! And you look like you are actually having fun, rather than just putting on a show! Love it!

[Spermy77]

Sublime and profane....sublime BECAUSE propane... heavenly played!

[JamesMorganLondon]

One of our best organists and a really frendly person too. I never tired of hearing him play.

[deancook652]

From someone who knew Johnny, and knew him well...he always thought this organ was one of the best in-theatre installations he ever played, and he played it before it was restored and finished!

[keltec2000]

When did the Fox get a Pipe Organ?

I would love to hear one in person.

[Dojora4]

They've had it since opening day back in the 20's...

[steverabb]

And that's just a rehearsal?  Man, if only I could have seen the real thing! Superfantabulous!!!

[Organsk8er]

Watching this again, what can I say?...lol The man can PLAY!!!! Simon's opening concert at this year's ATOS National Convention in Indianapolis was spectacular, as well. I wouldn't miss an opportunity to hear him for anything!

[ThirtyTwoFoot]

Oh wow you are SO good Simon!! (from a friend)

[Organgrinder010]

Master! I have a few cassettes of Simon, and always considered him one of the tops. Never saw him in person though, amazing to see those fingers fly!

[Organsk8er]

Kudos to Simon, though, he's got a very intricate arrangement down! After listening so much to Seng's Mundelein recording so many times, and being very familiar with that organ, it's great to see the mechanics behind how to play that.

[Dojora4]

Now that you've seen the mechanics... Do you want to break your fingers like I want to??

[Organsk8er]

I don't know if I would describe the 60's and 70's Mundelein organ as having "fat" Tibias...just the opposite, I would think...a very bright sound, with screaming strings, and Tibia trebles. The organ now sounds like a "traditional" Wurlitzer...but still has many shades of the "Seng" sound, mostly due to the room it's installed in, and the wonderful acoustics. We hope to post some current Mundelein videos in the near future.

[56Packman]

Dean, I said "not so fat" as John intentionally wanted them thin, as were all the flue voices. Thin and fast. It's more "traditional" now, and that includes fatter tibias. The "norm" comment applies to most other theatre organs.

[Organsk8er]

Ahh...ok...after re-reading your initial statement again, it's clear what you meant...lol...sorry for the confusion :)

All the best! :-D

[Karlfalcon]

Kick. Ass.

[hopeyjo]

That Seng arrangement has always been one one of my all time favourites - to see that energetic section played was just magical. Those reeds really bite! Thanks, for sharing it.

[56Packman]

Those Seng arragements come off better on an instrument with good reeds and not so "fat" tibias (which is the norm), like Mundelien was back in the 60s and 70s.

[JoePeterzak]

@56Packman Yea, Moller had the fattest largest scale tibias ever made. If you ever seen them, they are so large scale, that they look almost square in shape. Dave Junction has a good picture of them in his book showing them jammed into the factory voiceing machine. They where so fat and big scaled, they factory had to make a new rack board to accomidate them for the voicing machine.

[56Packman]

Simon, great job transcribing John Seng's brilliant arrangement!

[AlleninSF2007]

Every once in awhile we get to experience something that just blows the roof off. You will go a long, long way before you see the likes of the musicianship demonstrated on this clip. It certainly is just one of those things....and so much more. WOW!!!