"King of Instruments" - Gillian Weir plays "Tu es Petra" at the organ of Hedvig Eleonora, Stockholm

Taken from the 1980's BBC series "King of Instruments", Gillian Weir plays "Tu es Petra" by Henri Mulet at the organ of the Hedvig Eleonora, Stockholm. I fell in love with this instrument and have watched this clip many many times over the years. Dame Gillian's performance is stunning and been a source of inspiration for me and my love of organs.

Here's the spec for the beast!

Huvudverk (I)
Principal 16'
Principal 8'
Dubbelflöjt 8'
Gamba 8'
Oktava 4'
Rörflöjt 4'
Oktava 2'
Mixtur II
Mixtur IV
Scharf III
Grand Cornet V
Trumpet 16'
Trumpet 8'
Clairon 4'

Positiv (II)
Borduna 16'
Principal 8'
Flûte harmonique 8'
Gedackt 8'
Oktava 4'
Koppelflöjt 4'
Nasard 22/3'
Oktava 2'
Ters 13/5'
Larigot 11/3'
Mixtur III
Cymbel II
Trumpet 8'
Krumhorn 8'

Svällverk (III)
Fugara 16'
Principal 8'
Rörflöjt 8'
Salicional 8'
Voix céleste 8'
Oktava 4'
Flûte octaviante 4'
Salicet 4'
Valdflöjt 2'
Piccolo 1'
Mixtur V
Sesquialtera II
Bombarde 16'
Trumpet 8'
Oboe 8'
Vox humana 8'
Clairon 4'

Pedal
Bourdon 32'
Principal 16'
Subbas 16'
Oktava 8'
Borduna 8'
Oktava 4'
Öppen flöjt 4'
Blockflöjt 2'
Mixtur VI
Bombarde 32'
Basun 16'
Trumpet 8'
Clairon 4'

Category:

Music

Tags:

• organ
• dame
• gillian
• weir
• hedvig
• eleonora
• tu
• es
• petra
• henri
• mulet

[omahas9000]

Will you people please back off?! I'd like to see YOU play in front of camera...not so easy. More, she was playing with a BBC production in mind and such meant timing to fit various slots. I challenge any of you to match her technique.

[GJmusique]

"During the 2nd world war (...) Henri Mulet took over playing for the services"

That's incorrect - Mulet had left Paris for the Provence in 1937 and was actually titulaire of St. Roch at the time he wrote the Esquisses Byzanthines.

[radketim]

She's rushes it

[mfortee]

@zbjornson

Interesting. Having listened to this recording by other artists several times, I'd say 1:54 sounds as indicated, but I trust you're aware of her mistake. When I buy this score I'll have to look into your observations.

Thanks a bunch.

[zbjornson]

Oh but she cheats the music! At 1:54, two of those G#s in the pedal are supposed to be played an octave up while the other foot closes the swell in two beats' time. It's a difficult maneuver that I only noticed because it took me a lot of practice to play that part as written.

[robertgift]

To be "proper", if there is a 16' Principal in the Manual, there should be a 32' Principal in the Pedal.  That's all.

Still a wonderful organ, magnificent performance of a fantastic work.

More leg and more cleavage.

My wrists hurt after attempting this.

[tjugofyra]

What do you mean?

This organ has both a Bourdon 32' and a Bombarde 32'.

It's the video quality! It's pretty much always much light in this church! The doom is white but it looks grey here. Maybe this was filmed at night. They have installed spots at the organloft now.

[all1rog]

I first saw Gillian Weir play at Manchester Town Hall, 30 years ago, when she was undoubtedly the world's most beautiful organist; and sat opposite her at a dinner 20 years ago. I have always admired her effortless technique. She is also delightful company! This is a superb performance, needless to say.

[chrysalifourfour]

splendid video! any chance of watching mrs weir playing messiaen's la nativite?

[chrysalifourfour]

great video! any chance of watching mrs weir playing messiaen's la nativite on youtube?