A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A rendition of the popular hymn with congregation on the first and last verse and improvisation in between. Organ used is an Allen 632-D from the 70s.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Allen
• Church
• Organ
• Hymn

[Vercus100]

This organ is no longer at our church, it has been replaced by an Allen Elite. This was the last dying breath of a 30 year old electronic organ..lol. At one point, the combination action acted up and gave me the wrong setting, hence the really thin stop. If you watch, you'll see me press the piston again with conviction..lol. I don't miss that organ!

[journeyquest1]

seems a little fast

[Vercus100]

I just listened to this again after having not heard it for over a year. I agree it is a little fast. I've learned quite a bit about how to lead a hymn and sure wouldn't do it like that again, too disjointed.

[celtdoggy]

Interesting the organist is not using any music!

[AECEntertainment]

@octavebasse8 i as an organist always try to lead but do you find the congregation are sometimes slower than us

[octavebasse8]

No, organists never accompany. We lead!

[caddyorganist]

The congregation doesn't sound lost to me.

[horndiapason]

There was a bit of wandering and "loss" of congregation on that second sung stanza, but overall I'd give it 10 out of 10 for energy, creativity and courage. It takes guts to abandon the printed page.

That said, I must agree that it may have gone a bit far. "Free accompaniments" must retain a solid tempo and at least provide melodic "check points" for the congregation. The organist must always be a LEADER of the congregation's singing.

[chammpkind]

Really nice. Although perhaps more suited for a prelude or something rather than a hymn sing. I notice the woman in the first pew directing the congregation to sing, but deferred way too much from the standard hymn for most people to understand. Kind of reminded me of Virgil Fox type-playing!

[blackberryjuice]

If you've been playing in the same church for 8 years, you may need to get out more, friend. Not all congregations are musically illiterate. I admit this improv wasn't stellar, but I certainly don't hear the congregation sounding "lost." The tempo of this hymn is too often dragged down into the realm of funeral dirges from hell. While this tempo probably isn't the most historically correct for the hymn, it's by no means offensive... in my opinion. :)