Widor's Toccata from symphony no. 5 - Revolutionary Pipe Organ + Drums

Widor's Toccata from symphony no. 5 performed with pipe organ + drums at the Shenzhen Concert Hall on April 12, 2009

Arranged by Eric Fan

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Widor
• Toccata
• symphony
• no.
• shenzhen
• concert
• hall
• eric
• fan
• john
• leung
• pipe
• organ
• drums

[edt558]

I suppose for the organ purist this would not be their thing, but I like it. A lot actually, the drums add something. If you do it again, see if you can amplify the drums and maybe experiment with the rolls and fills. Nice work!

[ericfan20]

@edt558 Thanks!!

[tactilex]

Well, it brought a smile and a laugh to me. Thanks.

Definitely not the sort of Widor performance that brings tears of emotion, but music is like food. Eat now, for you soon will be hungry again. Sometimes I like a hamburger and sometimes I like pizza. It's all good!

[ericfan20]

@tactilex Thanks :)

[cjhwth81]

Beyond The best!!Extremely well done! 110%

[ericfan20]

Thanks!

[claire13ear]

sorry didn't mean to be so harsh..the two just don't blend in...the toccata on its own is a colossal work for the organ and should be left as is...the drumming only distracts the listener and as mdlrx8 said it adds nothing

[ldvl1875]

Using other instruments to play Widor's Toccata from Symphony No. 5 is not really an outlandish or new thing thing to do by these boys; check out the YouTube video where it is done with 55 Euphoniums, Tubas and pipe organ.

That video didn't seem to get any 'bad wrap' so why take it out on these two aspiring musicians? Or was it because it was done by a group with status - the International Euphonium Institute?

I hope its nothing to do with their ethnic background; shame on you people if it is!

[ldvl1875]

This video is titled correctly; we have not been led a stray as the word 'revolutionary' is used and we are warned that there are 'drums' used as well. So NO ONE can then expect this video to be anything quite like the way C.M.Widor would have played it on Sunday 19th October, 1879.

What about Noel Rawsthorne's 'Hornpipe Humorsque' - that can be classified as musical vandalism or is that ok because he is an accomplished organist and composer?

Enjoy your music boys; it makes some people happy!

[punkorganist]

@organboi This is as backwards in thinking as "If God wanted us to fly, he would have given us wings."

[punkorganist]

@organboi It's clear that you have a 19th century approach to music, a very romanticized perception of composers and their music. As a professor of music, I can tell you that this is not a romantic performance, nor a modern performance. This is actually post-modernism applied to musical performance (regardless of whether the performers realize it). It's clear that you haven't had enough education to understand its relevance or what it is. Til you know, know that no one asked you of your opinion.

[organboi]

@organgrinderATL Agreed. I too cannot believe what I just heard. And they had the nerve to record it and post it. If it were played well by both players it might have been a different story, but this was shocking to behold. And one of the kids compared this to the initial reception of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, as if this atrocity were some great innovation like Stravinsky's masterpiece.

[organboi]

@punkorganist You are delusional. This is not "thinking outside the box." The only "suffocation of artistry" is when a person destroys the true beauty of a piece of art and dares to change a composer's masterpiece. True "thinking outside the box" is the constant striving to rise above superficiality and mediocrity. How many people can claim they strive for true perfection? That is what is extremely rare, not adding a drum set to the Widor Toccata. And the drummer wasn't even good.

[organboi]

@ericfan20 Because, it Widor wanted drums in this piece he would have written it that way. Who the hell are you to decide what Widor wanted. Your arrogance gives you away.

[organboi]

@ericfan20 absolute BS. Widor doesn't need "interpretation." It's great the way it is, in any century. You can't mess with music this way. And why are you replying to people's criticisms with such condescension?

[organboi]

How dare you. This is the worst trash I have ever seen in my life. How dare you do this to this masterpiece. I can't believe I read even a single comment supporting this evil crap. Shame on you. And the drummer is just so bad. If you had a better drummer it might be different. And the organist made so many mistakes it's unbelievable.

[davlber221]

Fun, maybe all the "highly educated" would enjoy this if they ever let their hair down! A fun thing to open the eyes of the young to the organ!!!!