Organ Practice at Riverside Church New York City

[mikedc2020]

Wow, the acoustic improvements actually give the place some reverb now! What a difference.

[fastmotorcycle]

Worked on Saturdays doing tuning and routine maintenance for Virgil and

Frederick Swann on this fine instrument. It sounds great now, with the much

needed acoustic improvements and tonal re-regulation. Well done.

[a10dyke]

As an organist, I am jealous! Not only is this person very talented, he or she is clearly having a great time. It's a reminder that music doesn't have to be serious.

[andyofvermont]

Cool. Wouldn't call this practicing though. This is goofing off. Nothing wrong with goofing off at all. It just isn't practicing.

[mrjp144]

Is this church bapstit?

[iorixs]

people used to go to church. what happened?

[pappoe100]

@iorixs

People usually "go to church" services. This is clearly not a church service.

[JohninBoulder1]

As a keyboardist, I can only say that I wish I had this wonderful organist's fingers and feet! What a gift! Thank you!

[myfrees]

this is the best recording of the Sortie in Eb that I can find.

[MartyMartin87]

ich danke dir dafür dass ich mal die besonderen Orgeltöne der Riverside Church in New York City!!! hören durfte. Jo bin ein Ami Fan, denke mal der verbindet anfangs häufig Halb- mit Volltönen. Herrlich wenn das Ganze dann auch so schön brilliant und geschmeidig klingt. Ein Verweandter von mir spielt übrigens auch in der Kirche Orgel, in einer recht großen Kirche;-) schätze ich hab viel von ihm denn ich liebe Orgel Klänge seitdem ich vor einem Jahr ein Keyboard hab.

[iomanorgan]

He dont know how to play this song I think !

[serge496]

well, hope some people will actually check me out practicing ....

[OrganNLou]

The acoustics are MUCH improved from years ago! Wonderful sound now

[CrazyhorseP1]

this song rocks, and great job capturing the sound!

[OrganNLou]

Much improved acoustics from years ago!

[ThirtyTwoFoot]

Wow that is some party horn!!

[jsbach82]

It's the march in E bemol by Lefebure-Wely isn't it?

[Organsk8er]

Sortie in Eb...yes...Lefebure-Wely.

[19shea85]

Okay so maybe that was a little mean. Does anyone know who was playing?

[19shea85]

Who in God's name is playing? Do you have any idea of how to register or play this piece???? I've performed this piece many times and it took me almost a minute just to figure out what piece it was!

[sjodenator]

I thought it was refreshing. Most other performances of it sound like carnival music. The flexibility of the tempo diminished that effect though. I rather like the registration as well. It's a big organ with a lot of fun reeds; use them.

[codeman2008]

Speaking of great organs with unfortunate acoustics. Someone needs to do something about the acoustics at the Christian Science Mother Church, they're dreadful and that organ deserves allot better. My church has better acoustics than that huge church, they need to get rid of all that carpeting and cushioning! You're right though, the difference is incredible, they improved the acoustics by allot. If they could do this at Riverside, they can do this at the Mother Church!

[TruthLightSeeker]

Beautiful church!

[kmdpiano25]

They sealed the Gustavino tile in Riverside in the 90's. They have long since completed the revoicing and regulating required for it's new, very live acoustic.

[brassspitoon]

You can build a grand neo-Gothic church with Rockefeller money and he certainly did so.

[CorneMKK]

Great. This really sounds very good.

[octavebasse8]

For some reason, I get nervous practicing in front of people.

[STLUCIANDIPLOMAT]

Good Aquistics

[Takkun018]

Great song, amazing organ. Sometimes it's more interesting to hear someone practice than to perform. What camera are you capturing this nice sound on?

[derdirk71]

If I remember right, it was a Canon MV400i digital cam.

[Takkun018]

thanks!

[stripernutkl]

Even though it's only practice, it's an amazing chance to hear the Aeolian-Skinner. You have to love the Trompeta Majestis during some of the passages. As Virgil Fox would say "What a Honk...it's hair raising!"

[Pogue76]

you got that right. love virgil fox

[kmdpiano25]

Well, an amazing Trompette it is in this video, but it is unfortunately not the Trompeta Majestatis. It's is the hooded harmonic trompette in the triforium.

[KMO325]

Man that church is something else, went there in high school and was knocked off my feet.

[Contratrombone64]

Certainly is Lefebre Wely and it' beautifully played.

[Amjblondie27]

This church is SO beautiful! I got to sing there with my choir in April! It was amazing!

[Pogue76]

I want to hear the ending, love this piece. Glad to finally know what its called, wish I knew who the organist was.

[MonsieurOrgue]

The piece played here is the 'Sortie' in E flat by Lefébure-Wély.

[kempedkemp]

OMG! You got this quality audio from a little hand held job? I've always loved the sound of this instrument. Does anyone know what the organist is practicing?

[derdirk71]

Nope, don't know. We were just there by coincidence.

Would be interested, too.

[mooboo123451]

@derdirk71 the organist is practising Sortie in Eb by Lefebure Wely

[Capricornboy]

Probably by French composer Wely

[lostnyc2]

Canon camcorders are great, I bought my FS100 for about $325and love it- dolby stereo sound, 48X optical zoom and can take still photos.

[davidmiler12]

@kempedkemp Its L. Welys' Sortie in E Flat

[yamaho5]

Great fun! Thanks, I may come to church.

[moller11739]

Great sound!