The Lost Chord

(see below for stoplist)

by Sullivan, performed at 1st Presbyterian, Cumberland

organ specification:
Swell:
Lieblich Gedeckt 16
Violin Diapason 8
Gedeckt 8
Salicional 8
Voix Celeste 8
Principal 4
Orchestral Flute 4
Salicet 4
Nazard 2-2/3
Flautino 2
Larigot 1-1/3
Oboe 8
Tremulant
Swell 16
Swell 4
Swell Unison Off
Choir 8
(gallery swell)
Rohr Flute 8
Muted Violin 8
Muted Violin Celeste 8
Rohr Flute 4
Flute 2
Petite Trompette 8

Great:
Double Diapason 16
1st Open Diapason 8
2nd Open Diapason 8
Doppel Flute 8
Melodia 8
Gemshorn 8
Octave 4
Harmonic Flute 4
Mixture III
Tromba 8
Chimes
Great 16
Great 4
Great Unison Off
Swell 16
Swell 8
Swell 4
Choir 16
Choir 8
Choir 4
(gallery great)
Echo Flute 8
Principal 4
Fern Flute 4
Quint 2-2/3
Fifteenth 2
Quint 1-1/3

Choir:
English Diapason 8
Doppel Flute 8
Harmonic Flute 8
Gemshorn 8
Celeste 8
Flute Traverse 4
Flute 2
Cornet II 2-2/3
Clarinet 8
Tremulant
Harp
Tromba 8
Choir 16
Choir 4
Choir Unison Off
Swell 16
Swell 8
Swell 4
Great 8

Pedal:
Resultant 32
1st Open Diapason 16
2nd Open Diapason 16
Bourdon 16
Lieblich Gedeckt 16 (swell)
Diapason 8
Bass Flute 8
Bourdon 8
Trombone 16
Great 8
Swell 8
Swell 4
Choir 8
Choir 4
(gallery pedal)
Gedeckt 16
Flute 8
Rohr Flute 4

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• pipe
• organ

[51538sonofjim]

Please forgive but I had to listen 3 times to hear "YOU". As soon as you started playing I was that 12 year old boy 60 years ago who's father was practicing at St John theDevine in NYC. There were only three presence in the cathedral that day: A little boy down below, a big man up above, and the voice of that organ completely filling an empty stone cathedral with Sullivan's music.

memory over for the moment:

You have a great gift. Thank you for sharing here.

chuck a

[heavyvoxes]

you are most welcome! i am so glad this brings memories back to you! thank you!

[organnut]

Hi Matthew,

I keep coming back to this magnificent video to hear it over and over again. ;o))

A question regarding the organ, is there a division on the balcony to the left of the organ console behind the lattice screen?

Again, a grand performance. Best Regards, Roy

[heavyvoxes]

Hi Roy,

Yes, the Gallery Division is in the balcony, to the left side. This contains the ranks listed to the right, in the description, as follows.... (gallery swell), (gallery great) and (gallery pedal)

[heavyvoxes]

thank you for your compliment! Usually, diapasons can be anything from a "hooty" sound to more of a "purr" depending on voicing. The violin diapason resembles a "gamba" sound, but rounder, like a diapason. Many of the older pipe organs, especially the Mollers from the early 1900's included a violin diapason in the swell.

[heavyvoxes]

Your comparison to your LP recording is very flattering. Thank you!

[clinton8or]

What a beautiful perfomance.

I've often thought The Lost Chord would make a moving recessional for a funeral. The early part of the piece is a quiet time for reflecting on the life just ended, it builds with the hope of resurrection, and during the final grand movement beginning at 4:04 I picture the gates of Heaven swinging open. This is also the point in the service when the pall bearers would begin to escort the casket down the aisle and out of the church.

[raynelson113]

hi matthew, I never tire of hearing you play this and now I can play it from memory on my own organ as well, but nowhere near as sublimely as this. huge thanks and warmest regards

ray

[razorknight92]

@clinton8or Actually, from what I read on wikipedia about this piece, it seems that Sullivan wrote this while at the bed side of his brother Fred Sullivan's last illness. Fred died five days after the composition of the piece, so it might have very well been his brother's dirge.

[iblskeith]

Very fine playing of a piece of great emotion

[goodchappy]

Very well played, great expression. In places your registrations sounded rather like a theatre organ on which I have hard this played many times, I prefer classical organs though. Not sure why it has taken me 3 years to find this performance.

[drpenning]

Excellent, from a fellow organist.

[dtripple1]

I remember the Lost Chord from childhood and am a great admirer of the quintessential Victorian Arthur Sullivan. This is more impressive and moving that the vocal version, perhaps because there is less Victorian clutter. Wonderful playing.

[fordtruxdad]

Oh my goodness....... Like so many others posting here I, too, am just blown away. You are so talented in your expressiveness by use of the boxes and appropriate registrations. Thank you for a truly enjoyable and worthwhile listening experience!