Virgil Fox † Come sweet death † Wanamaker Organ.

Komm' Susser Tod (Come sweet death) by J. S. Bach. The definitive version by Virgil Fox playing the Wanamaker organ (Audio) Virgil Fox did this arrangement specially for the Wanamaker organ. Bach's image of death was softened by a transcending faith. Therefore Virgil Fox arranged the second verse of of this piece to say: On entering the kingdom of God, death is like the most brilliant sunset one can imagine. Fierce colours fill the sky; but through all these colours, an even brighter light shines from the place which is after death.
I understand there was originally only one verse but Virgil added the second verse. Google say that Virgil Fox worked in collaboration with Robert Hebble arranging this piece for organ.
It certainly demonstrates the power of the magnificent Wanamaker organ.
THIS MUSIC SHOULD REALLY BE HEARD ON A GOOD SOUND SYSTEM.
My lifelong school mate Michael had cancer and diabetes and he was extremely ill towards the end of his life. He insisted on staying at home but the silly night nurse didn't check his blood sugar level. He was taken to hospital in a diabetic coma but insulin brought him back. Michael was very frail and weak but he was anxious to tell me something. While in the coma he said he was floating in a dark void, pain free and very peaceful. He said he was slowly moving into a beautiful white light. A voice said, MICHAEL, GO BACK but he wanted to keep moving into the light. I asked him if it was a male or female voice but he couldn't say, it was just a voice. The voice said again, MICHAEL, GO BACK and he said he had come back to suffering. I told him he would go into the light eventually, which he did shortly after when he passed away. The words of a dying man.
While this piece is playing the image on the screen shrinks back. Something to do with the graphics. Sheet music for this piece. AT THE ORGAN WITH VIRGIL FOX. Published by Alfred Publishing Co. ISBN O-7692-4192-1

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virgil
• Fox
• Wanamaker
• Organ
• Come
• Sweet
• Death
• Komm
• Susser
• Tod

[homoignobilis]

There is a DVD with kaleidoscopic representations pretty much like the ones Fox had as background when he did concerts at Winterland and Fillmore East. Did you know that it took Fox two weeks to work out this arrangement and practice it for performance? All his colleagues told him it was a useless cause and they didn't like the tune anyway, especially Biggs. As far as I'm concerned its the best workout the Wannamaker ever had and among the best things Fox did.

[silverstartrucker]

@homoignobilis - Yes; I have that DVD, it came with the Compact Disc I took this recording off. I read where Virgil worked in the early hours of the morning at the store to perfect this piece. I have played this so many times but it still tugs at the heart strings. The wonderful Wanamaker organ has never sounded better...

[daveclark1961]

@silverstartrucker What is the name of the DVD? I'd like to get it. Thanks in advance.

[silverstartrucker]

@daveclark1961 - A lady friend in Florida got me the package and her mother brought them back to the UK. One is a compact disc of the music, the other is a DVD of the music with graphics. Both discs come together as a package. Virgil Fox plays the Wanamaker organ. smd-042

[starkj92]

The organ is God's greatest gift to music.

[sqcomp1]

I had the opportunity to be at Wanamaker's department store in 1988. Even more of an opportunity happened when the organ was played in the afternoon. It literally stopped the entire store. I seem to remember standing near a eagle or some type of bird statue and just looking up in awe, hearing, feeling, and completely experiencing my first pipe organ. Ever since then I have had a very special place in my heart for this instrument of all instruments. God bless the pipe organ.

[ItWasntMe456]

legato at its finest.

[MrOrgelbau]

The sound of this organ during this piece is almost "not of this world"

[starkj92]

@athox What I meant is that I really do think the organ was divinely inspired. I'm not discrediting organ manufacturers.

[athox]

@starkj92 I think a lot of organ manufacturers would take offense to that.

[oldbear52]

King Arthur,

The Wanamaker organ has always been one of my favorite instruments, it has no equal in the States or even the world. Visiting Philadelphia to go experience the grand power of the Wanamaker organ is on my list of things I need to do before death takes me out of this life.

I have a pair of Fisher STV 752 speakers connected to my stereo system that give me that 'live, almost like being there' experience.

My wife as well as the people in your building are always complaining!

Dave

[praktikart]

Marvel. Thank you.

[TheCinemasound]

HIS

[TheCinemasound]

What struck me first, was the beautiful smooth legato playing, the smooth pedal line, this is a dream, it is no other than perfection. This music is perfect for the Wanamaker organ. Having looked at other Virgil Fox performances, I can't say I like is style that much, a little like Carlo Curly, whom I have mixed feelings about, however the guy certainly delivers the goods, and this performance clearly shows that. Can't wait for my CD & DVD

[TheCinemasound]

I just can't stop listening to this organ, just sheer beauty and power, and of course the music it self is very emotional and moving. How anyone could dislike it is beyond me. This must be the finest recording of any organ music anywhere in the world. Many thanks to silverstartarttrucker, you have made a lot of people very very happy

[TheCinemasound]

This is really somthing else, and what a superb organ, nothing ,nothing, can replace an organ like this, fantastic, beautiful. To be in this building and hear this, I would simply freeze, words alone can't describe this sound.