Richard Elsasser plays Bach's Gigue Fugue (BWV 577) at the organ of Hammond Castle. Elsasser was at one time (perhaps still?) the youngest person in history to perform the complete organ works of Bach from memory.
@dersiano You should hear his interpretation of Widor's symphony 5 - it's simply exhilarating, nearly note-perfect, light, energetic, and not the dirge people have played lately
@a55b47 - - Richard Elsasser also had "Bacchanale" on that record - - I have never heard anybody play it at all on organ - - The whole album is awesome, it was recorded at Hammond Castle sometime back in the late 50's I think. Too bad they let the organ fall into such disrepair.
@mhdantholz elsasser was most excellent! the first bell piece you refer to is by alexander russell, not vierne. and remember the hammond castle organ is not a hammond organ!
Bought some Elsasser "cut-outs" [albums w/o original jackets, in plain white sleeves with a hole punched in the label] mid-'60s at the two King Karol Times Sq. stores for 99c. Was impressed with Widor's Tocatta but his take on Vierne Bells of Beaupre and Bells of Westminster were and are unique. His work featured carillon which has never been done to such great effect, especially with the Hammond organ. E.'s work ripe for reissue/rediscovery.
When I was a kid my parents would take me to hear Elsasser play concerts at a Lutheran church in Long Beach, CA (Our Saviours?) I remember the organ had an antiphonal division. I want to say it was a Reuter but I'm not sure.
Ah, Richard Elsasser !! Haven't seen his name bandied about in many years. Some of the first organ LP's I ever bought were his performances at the Hammond Castle. Lots of interesting repertoire (including the only performance I've ever heard anywhere of Leroy Anderson's "The Phantom Regiment." ) He also had a wonderful rendtion of "March of the Siamese Children" from "The King & I." They just don't do stuff like that any more (if they ever did before Elsasser tackled it ;-)
@dersiano You should hear his interpretation of Widor's symphony 5 - it's simply exhilarating, nearly note-perfect, light, energetic, and not the dirge people have played lately
farthereast54 5 days ago
Must be the fastest performance ever! Bravo!!
dersiano 4 months ago
@a55b47 - - Richard Elsasser also had "Bacchanale" on that record - - I have never heard anybody play it at all on organ - - The whole album is awesome, it was recorded at Hammond Castle sometime back in the late 50's I think. Too bad they let the organ fall into such disrepair.
hottrodscars 7 months ago
@mhdantholz elsasser was most excellent! the first bell piece you refer to is by alexander russell, not vierne. and remember the hammond castle organ is not a hammond organ!
lipsbach 1 year ago
Bought some Elsasser "cut-outs" [albums w/o original jackets, in plain white sleeves with a hole punched in the label] mid-'60s at the two King Karol Times Sq. stores for 99c. Was impressed with Widor's Tocatta but his take on Vierne Bells of Beaupre and Bells of Westminster were and are unique. His work featured carillon which has never been done to such great effect, especially with the Hammond organ. E.'s work ripe for reissue/rediscovery.
mhdantholz 1 year ago
My father was a minister. My parents were so impressed by Richard's work that they named me after him. Richard Mettling.
richmettling 1 year ago 2
When I was a kid my parents would take me to hear Elsasser play concerts at a Lutheran church in Long Beach, CA (Our Saviours?) I remember the organ had an antiphonal division. I want to say it was a Reuter but I'm not sure.
bobareebop 1 year ago
Can annyone please put another piece of this very good organist on this board.
I lost my DVD.
Charles Ives "Variations on America".
He playes it fantastic.
PeterBerlinMitte 1 year ago
Ah, Richard Elsasser !! Haven't seen his name bandied about in many years. Some of the first organ LP's I ever bought were his performances at the Hammond Castle. Lots of interesting repertoire (including the only performance I've ever heard anywhere of Leroy Anderson's "The Phantom Regiment." ) He also had a wonderful rendtion of "March of the Siamese Children" from "The King & I." They just don't do stuff like that any more (if they ever did before Elsasser tackled it ;-)
a55b47 2 years ago