Virgil Fox, Toccata in F, BWV 540 by J.S. Bach

Virgil Fox performs the great Toccata in F Major, S.540, by Johann Sebastian Bach, at the Carnegie Hall sold-out "revelation lights" concert on Dec.20, 1972, as part of his Heavy Organ series, on the Rodgers touring organ. RCA Red Seal ARL1-0081 stereo. That's me introducing the piece. The slideshow includes pictures of Bach, Fox and the light show, organs and cathedrals, and esoteric mystical symbols of the Hero's spiritual journey that the Toccata expresses (among other things), including Bach's own official seal. For more info go to http://philosopherswheel.com/toccata.htm
See my list of organ favorites at:
http://philosopherswheel.com/ericorgan.html

Category:

Music

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[whoosier]

There once was a note...

[eameece]

@whoosier pure and easy.....

[eameece]

Thanks for the nice comments. Virgil was keyed into Bach, who was keyed in to the Spirit.

[riverscuomo06]

@colombo640 surprisingly, this is actually much slower than the tempo he takes on the studio version of this. that one is scary fast. i happen to think this tempo is pretty good, although maybe just a touch too fast.

[YOU2UUB]

This is the most dynamic spine chilling masterpieces performed by Virgil Fox by my favorite all time master of classical music : Grandmaster Johann S. Bach

[vk2nf]

this performance by Fox was my first introduction to the organ music of Bach as a teenager in the 1970s, and I played the LP to death; but now I can't bear to listen to it at all. Fox was a great showman and a great advocate for Bach, but here he sacrifices so much in terms of clarity, precision and dare one say musicianship for prestidigitation and thearical effect

[bbbbmer]

MAGNIFICENT!!!

I have been SEARCHING for a 540 version by Fox for an ETERNITY!!!!

and THIS is simply OVERWHELMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[octavebasse8]

Wow, I should do more touching!

[KhagarBalugrak]

@colombo640, I disagree about playing to fast. People play Bach too slowly, in general. HOWEVER, fox misses way too many notes here and gets an ugly sound out of the organ. He didn't use the right disposition AT ALL for this piece.

[pagingal1]

Thank You Virgil.... :)

[colombo640]

FOX IS A GREAT TALENT, BUT PLAYS MOST THINGS MUCH TOO FAST.

THIS CAUSES CONSIDERABLE RHYTHMIC INSECURITY. ALSO, THE REGISTRATION IN THIS SELECTION IS SOMEWHAT STRANGE. WHATEVER.

[robmcw]

This is not 'too fast'.

[YOU2UUB]

This is my favorite of all Master Bach who is master of all masters of classical music. I bet Virgil Fox wished he was born during the master's time. This was an absolute brilliantly played organ for this monster toccata in F. Long live JSBACH