Cameron Carpenter- Killing Me Loudly: On the Abdication of the "King" of Instruments

With its grandiose, stereotyped image, and an association with the Christian church, probably no instrument is more in need of innovation than the organ. Grammy-nominated virtuoso organist Cameron Carpenter provides that creative transformation that has been the subject of both acclaim and controversy. His presentation includes demonstrations on piano, as well as performances on the Michigan Theatre's Barton organ.
With support from the University Musical Society (UMS) and the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• University of Michigan
• Penny Stamps Lecture Series

[ZOMGHALP]

he's hot

[resultant64]

To increase the pedal board notes seems interesting.. but will be difficult to reach/... maybe they can be made narrower..?

[buzzbaybear]

While I admire CC's virtuosity, some of his facts are faulty. Pipe organs are immovable and need large space- churches and auditoriums are the usual venue. They have not lacked for innovation in technology or repertoire either especially organs in auditoriums and theatres. Electronic organs (CC's preferred type) have been used in exceptionally diverse ways in the 80 years since their inception. Church, pop, jazz, blues, rock etc. So a final word to CC, quit sermonizing and just play.

[TheGranpah]

In scientific and technological progress new advances are called paradigm shifts. Why not true paradigm shifts in music ... not merely "revolutionary changes" but rather dimensional changes analogous to what Albert Einstein brought to 20th theoretical century physics? Cameron Carpenter seems to be among those who can produce 21st century paradigm shifts in music.

[Mrphilharmonic]

OK. Ok. Cameron IS a genius - a musical and cerebral genius.

To talk so eloquently is one thing, but to demonstrate 'on the fly' and illustrate to beautifully very advanced musical concepts is something else, coupled with the ability to PLAY them superbly as well.

This guy is a phenomenon!

[westekhel]

Bad boy? Liberace of the organ. Liberace's reincarnation. Believe it or not, but Liberace breathed classical music for all, and the piano was popular. Now, we will have more than 350 years of music into pop. Cameron is not a Bad Boy, it´s more than a good boy. Typical of Americans, show man and shout diamonds, but why not in the world of art.

[arkaisk2]

He´s telling the painful truth; the grand past of the organ will never come back. Carpenter points out the future, wether we like it or not.

[DoubleDipperBrian]

An amazingly fantastic treatise on keyboard music. Is this video commercially available?  How might I obtain a copy?

[technocrash09]

@mikedc2020 I kept thinking he WOULD mention Virgil, but never did. *disappointment*. I saw Mr Fox many times on several different instruments including his personal touring rig :)

............and met him personally twice!

peace

[mikedc2020]

An unusual argument to argue the superiority of a virtual version of something rather than have the real thing. I think part of the joy of being an organist is the opportunity to play such a variety of instruments. Having a "personal" organ to concertize with is not a new idea at all. Has CC never heard of Black Beauty? Virgil Fox achieved what CC is talking about 50 years ago. He should at least credit Fox with this notion of having a "personal" touring organ.