Washington Cathedral Cesar Franck: Pièce Heroïque

Taped on analog equipment in 1996 at a performance by the cathedral's then-assistant organist, Nicholas White: transferred to various media many times -- hence the distortion, etc. But this masterpiece by Cesar Franck shows off the full resources of this magnificent 189-rank instrument in the world's 6th-largest cathedral, played by an extremely talented musician.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Washington
• Cathedral
• pipe
• organ
• Nicholas
• White
• Franck
• orgue
• orgel
• organo
• Pièce Heroïque
• DC
• classical

[2468HOTROD]

Who are the forces behind removing this organ from this cathedral? For what reason? You don't tear it out. You repair it and restore it. Gotta be some money changing hands in this deal, don't you think?

[a55b47]

You're preaching to the choir, HotRod ;-) I don't understand it either.

[Gball223]

Unreal. Not sure how newcomers (in leadership positions) to the Cathedral intend that Dobson, Casavant, or any other firm will seriously and monumentously improve upon the glory of this sound. With all due respect, the organist is amazing as well.

[a55b47]

Nick White is an amazing guy; I hear he's doing well on the musical scene in NYC.

[flentrop2009]

too bad they're replacing the organ. truly one of Skinner's gems

[a55b47]

Flentrop, eh? I love the screen names some of us organ junkies pick ;-). I've got to think of something more organ-like.

[swellshades]

That is so tragic-- So like an American institution, just throw it out... the hell with it, it doesn't meet our present needs, whatever they are.

Is there anything one can do, any 'Save the Skinner' organizations??

[mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. On this Easter (April 12), I attended a later service at another Lutheran Church. The organist played this for the postlude. Just thought I'd share.

[steelersfanhawaii]

There are some stunning, breath-taking Roman Catholic Churches in the Philippines that are more than deserving to be a warm and loving home to an Aolean-Skinner pipe organ. They would grace the Catholic mass acclamations in Tagalog extremely well, and the people sing very robustly well in that country. So any Skinners (Aolean, EM, GD Harrison, whatever) awaiting a home, there you go. Any organizations willing to make contributions?

[thechristian01999]

I am not an expert in organ but this guy is just amazing, great job, i love frank and this is one of my favorite pieces. Congrats to the performer

[gerardbedecarter]

A beautiful performance.

[southernboi59]

@swellshades Only The Historical Organ Society. Someone could get them involved. Sadly though when idiots want the latest and greatest, there is not much one can do. Shame on Dobson for agreeing to do it! Shame on the Vestry for wanting to take it out. What a slap in the face to all of those that gave until it hurt to help that fabulous instrument become a reality!

[jorobinson]

The cathedral's website says there is no money for a new organ, and all plans have been set aside for the time being. Why not write to them and express your opinions?

[jorobinson]

The GSA has nothing to do with the property of the cathedral!

[LJBSasha]

Wolfgang Rübsam plays this piece with more passion and spaciousness (without being so hard-driven to the point of even feeling mechanical!) compared to this performance (on Bayer Records - the recording was originally made by Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft - at the Cathédrale de St. Croix, Orléans, France). Herr Rübsam in fact is even more effective in terms of playing relative to that building's acoustics (every bit as reverberant). No, this recording gets but 3 stars out of 5...

[jmcm02]

Beautifully played

[JohnBennett1947]

I was home from college visiting the cathedral on a weekday. Standing at the east end of the choir admiring the organ, I noticed Paul Calloway. He sat down at the console and played this work. When he finished we made eye contact. I nodded and smiled at him. He smiled and left. This instrument is a part of his legacy that needs to be preserved. There's more to say, but difficult to put into so few words. I can only hope that since the last organist left, there's still a chance to save it.

[rowlandorganlover]

Why don't they do what Duke Chapel did? Put in another organ and totally restore this one all at the same time? It's a pity to destroy our national treasures, especially in the NATIONAL cathedral.