Franck Organ Final in Chicago

Mark Laubach, 1984 Winner of the American Guild of Organist's national organ-playing competition, performs Cesar Franck's Final, Opus 21, from Franck's Six Pieces for organ, on the Berghaus organ at Grace Lutheran Church in the River Forest (Chicago), Illinois.

The video was made concurrently with recording sessions for Mark Laubach's second PRO ORGANO CD recording, entitled "FrenchFest" (Pro Organo CD 7052). This CD is now sold out in most places, and is only available through a few sources like Amazon, Ebay and through the church http://www.graceriverforest.org .

Mark continues to record for the Pro Organo label. His latest CD release is entitled "Mosaics in Sound" (Pro Organo CD 7210). Detail on this may be accessed by entering the product code 7210 in the Search Box at http://www.zarex.com/bin .

Mark Laubach has settled in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and has served as the director of music and organist at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church for many years. Incidentally, the organ at St. Stephen's was recently renovated by the same organ-builder that renovated the organ seen in this video, Berghaus Organ Company.

This video was originally a portion of a 30-minute episode of the Midnight Pipes television series. Details on the original VHS Hi-Fi NTSC home video of this episode may be accessed by entering the product code 9008 in the Search Box at http://www.zarex.com/bin .

Due to the 10-minute maximum time limits on music videos on YouTube, and since this work exceeds 10 minutes, we have posted the conclusion of this music selection separately. It is found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge5Uh1_Giq8

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Franck
• pipe
• organ
• Final
• classical
• Berghaus
• Mark
• Laubach
• Grace
• Lutheran
• River
• Forest
• Midnight
• Pipes

[kapariz44]

Unlike lustful2 I'm a fan of Cesar Franck's organ music, tho' I hadn't heard this particular piece til now. It's mavellous, and played here with such aplomb. I'll be looking out for this CD either online or in the music store. Excellent/ausgezeichnet.

[midnightpipes]

Thanks for writing. The CD in its original, physical CD form, is sold out, but may be found second-hand on Ebay. Also, the CD, FrenchFest (CD7052), which includes this piece, is scheduled to be available for download on iTunes by January, 2009. - Fred H., Midnight Pipes

[Chincoteague74]

Mark is a gifted organist and I was fortunate to study with him briefly. What a wonderful sound here!

[owluck]

This was one of my senior organ recital pieces in 1966. I memorized it then. It's etched in the brain. Thanks for this posting!

[davbear221]

Thought you were great when you played here in Richmond Virginia nothing has changed! What a joy to listen to! Followed my score to take notes.

[Saurencaerthai]

Great job! I haven't heard this piece in years!

[lustful2]

I normally get bored with the Organ Music of Franck but I have to say how refreshing your playing is Mark. What a fantastic Organ is it too. Very French especially the Recit Reeds and Fonds. U have persuaded me to dig out my copy somewhere in my pile of Organ Music in England.

[timw5669]

this is one of my top 5 favs, thanks for posting

[andyofvermont75]

Cool! When you post the rest of the piece, don't forget to link the two videos together in their descriptions. :-)