Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor at St Maximin

Video compression cannot cope with the DYNAMITE of this organ. The sound comes from a high quality audio recording I did . . . and you can here the high frequencies as they should be in the quieter sections.

This organ is one of the most important in the world, substantially built in accordance with the principles of Dom Bedos, the father of European organ building - so this instrument is as organs should be built! This is one of the only instruments unaltered since it was built in 1773 and from before the French Revolution. It was saved by the organist when upon Napolean's troops entering the Basilica, he played the Marseilleise. Hearing this video perhaps you can imagine the effect . . .

If you want to play this organ, you can learn how to handle the music of this period and practice on this instrument at the Summer Academy d'Orgue -http://www.orgue-saintmaximin.com and from personal experience, it's really worth doing!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bach
• Tocatta
• Toccata
• Fugue
• Minor
• St
• Maximin

[quintadena16]

So this is basically an organ in Bb, so to speak?

[latribe]

@quintadena16 Simplistically so - but actually many French organs of the Baroque period are at low pitch. In the days of unequal temperament key meant more than frequency (pitch). Pitch has gone up in the past century from the mathematical pitch of C-256Hz. Key defined not pitch but the relationship between intervals and our music is much the poorer for having lost that. You'll find many of my videos demonstrate unequal temperament.

[DonJuan1991991]

sounds like c minor in stead of d minor!



[latribe]

@DonJuan1991991 Hi! That's because french organs of this period are tuned to A=392, the Cornetton - the Cornet pitch - that's Horn Pitch - Trumpet and Horn in Bb, and it's for this reason that the unequal temperaments favour the first flat in slight preference to the first sharp

[Mountchoirboy]

Bravo! love the echo and sharper pitch makes the insides tremble

[deltasquared7777]

This organ uniquely possesses a purity of voice, strength and timbre fully capable of overpowering one’s self and immersing one’s soul in music

[avofids]

jesus christ listen to that thing

[KV4671]

@martinkong070 typical amarican to call it amazing

[Sulien77]

Can you please tell me where I may buy a recording of this piece played on this organ? The Toccata and Fugue in d minor is one of my very favorite pieces of music and this recording was stunningly beautiful, even just playing through my laptop's speakers!

If I ever hit the lottery or come into sufficient money for the trip, I'm going to make certain to go and hear this amazing organ in person.

[JeuPrestant]

Massacre que cette prise de son.

[martinkong070]

FUCK DAMN IT WONDERFUL AMAZING

[nelos1987]

I love the 16' Bombarde! This piece sounds quiet different when its played on a organ from the North-Germa style.. but i love this piece!