Cathedral of St. John the Divine NYC Improvisations Pipe Organ

David Pizarro, the cathedral organist at the time this recording was made (1974) improvises for a Christmas Eve service. The instrument: the maginifcent IV/139 EM Skinner, modified by G Donald Harrison in the early 1950's & recently restored to its glory by the Quimby organ folks of Missouri. It was out of service for almost 8 years after a disastrous fire.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• pipe
• organ
• St.
• John
• the
• Divine
• New
• York
• Cathedral
• Pizarro
• improvisation
• orgue
• orgel
• organo
• classical

[eelgar1857]

The word "majestic" doesn't even begin to describe the sound of the organ in that building!

Thanks for reminding me.

[a55b47]

I continue to maintain that this is the best combination of instrument & building in the Western Hemisphere -- by a large margin.

[ebenasire]

I knew David after he had retired, but when he sang a few concerts with Canterbury Choral Society. He was a vey complex individual, I missed his funeral, but thought back to our conversations. RIP

[sarahmerr]

Yes, I have an LP record of David Pizarro playing. I don't remember the year or where he made the recording. I studied with him in Cambridge, MA from about 1970-1973. We kept in contact for a while when I moved away, but not for many years. I just happened to think of him tonight, and found on Gthat he had passed away. A truly amazing man. One of the Greats of music. He had many cats, was eccentric in many ways. I don't think he drove. He was a deep thinker. He made many foreign concerts. Sarah

[dewmsa]

@MetzMusic

David Pizzaro passed away February 23rd 2011.

[eelgar1857]

@trompettechamade1 Yes, I have it!

[trompettechamade1]

@eelgar1857 You might be interssted n Telarc's recording of the organ (pre-fire) with Michael Murray playing. If you vave headphones or speakers that will go down to the crypt of audible sound, the quiet ending of Franck's Chorale #2 is astounding - you can feel the 32' stop vibrate! Edward Canby ones called it a "massive shuddering column of air." This excerpt shows that. Oh, the rest of the recording is also excellent - musically and aurally; the 1st piece especially.

[MetzMusic]

Does someone have more of David Pizarro's playing? I studied with him for one year at Chapel Hill, and credit him always for his enormous influence on my life. I have retired from 25 years Professor of Harpsichord from Arizona State, and had a successful career as performer and teacher. Please contact me if you have more, or know more of his life, as I lost track of him. Thanks

John Metz, DMA The Juilliard School

[Compositorum]

Has this Vanguard recording ever been released on CD?

[4902STEVEN]

I like the voicing done by A-S on this organ. You cannot duplicate it.

[webusch3]

A few bars then a Full Majestic Chord, wonderful!

[livzdave]

And your opinion will only be strengthened when you hear the 2008 Quimby rebuild - words and recordings cannot describe the new sound - you have to experience it in person...Hopefully Fred Hohman's Pro Organo recordings of the recent recitals will give an idea of the new sound. I'm still in awe of this instrument!