http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyrnMMLjEI4

The choir of Coventry Cathedral, c.1988, deliver the Coventry Carol accompanied by the (I'm guessing) inclusive music group.

There are other clips in the same account (notyobs) that you might find interesting.

Best wishes

barry

My vote goes to Lichfield !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S01sjiXzpLk...feature=related

Pierre

It's a pity that the extra musicians seem to be the ones responsible for spoiling this very atmospheric performance.
Coincidence? In 1988 arch-arranger [indeed the all-time-gold-medal-SOP-hymn-Souper-Up-in-Chief] Paul Leddington Wright was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Coventry.

How different from when I last heard them in the early 1970s (yeah, I don't get around much). Back then they had a very continental tone even more dramatic than George Malcolm's choir at Westminster Cathedral. And first-rate they sounded too.

I felt weak at the knees when I watched this video of Cameron Carpenter playing the Chopin Revolutionary study. Yep, that's right. And guess what he uses to play the runny left hand bits with???
Think I'll give up now and take up truck driving again.
Cameron Carpenter on YouTube - Chopin

chirps
Churchmouse - still feeling weak-kneed

Oh , I should have added to my first post but was a bit shy; there are 4 or 5 little videos of my Martin playing the Christchurch Rieger: Grison, some of his own bits n' bats, and a Lefebure-Wely Sortie. The latter might be of interest to some of you as it also shows shots of the interior of the organ and I even braved climbing to the top of the swell to get those as well. (heights AND Cameron Carpenter playing make me weak-kneed, obviously!)
Martin's little collection you can find on YouTube here

Oh dear, it's back to primary school again for me with that Chopin. And I thought I was doing well to get through the first page of the Krebs E major toccata as my recital party piece!!! This guy is easily a match for Virgil Fox. Though for sheer laughter therapy, THIS takes some beating

A few of my favorite YouTube clips:

Bach Prelude in e minor BWV 548 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ouJ3O2T4ZI0
Bach Fugue in e minor BWV 548 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=idhHq1mn1XA

The only clip I've found of the Paris Aubertain (not brilliant playing but a fine sound)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=voqGH5Re5b8

Latry playing Vierne (sadly not his fantastic recording at Notre Dame)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vvXddUK7I4k

Leonhardt and Buxtehude: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5VrGQGi4lvA

Little Fugue in g minor BWV 578 http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=x1Vm6_mn4ME

Something a bit fun out there for you theorists: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_1ain4qftoM

Some sublime piano plaing:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pR6kpZzOGdo
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5QGwS69fVyA
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S3Lox6Qab8A
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrr3bfA5QKs

Sorry, CB, but I couldn't get your links to work.

Whilst I agree that Cameron Carpenter has a fantastic technique, he doesn't have the musicianship Virgil Fox could display. He comes across to me as a highly skilled acrobat, devoid of musicianship. Or am I just jealous?!

I'm afraid it made me feel weak at the stomach.

J

Here are a few of my Favourite Youtube Videos:

Parry - I Was Glad - St Pauls Cathedral

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2YstlGy1Ld0

Vierne - Finale - Symphonie No. 6. A tad too fast IMO but a terrific performance.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iyQ5Qq-rviM

Thalben-Ball - Elegy - Technically great performance, I thought maybe a bit more expression needed. For example maybe dwell a bit longer on the fortissimo chord before the pedals come rumbling in below. Only my opinion though!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZJlGuNFi8g&...feature=related

Durufle - Prelude and Fugue on the Name of ALAIN. Simply breathtaking music worderfully performed.

Prelude - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3kYAG5ArZsg&NR=1
Fugue - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JR-sqchqWnE

And finally, my favourtie video on youtube to the present day:

Guilmant - Final - Sonata No. 1

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GOzV41iwe-E

I think this video is simply wonderful. The organist (Raúl Prieto Ramírez) simply plays it fantastically, both technically and musically. He puts so much life, energy and enthusiasm into the performance. I also love the organ, especially that wonderful reed (chamade?) at the end. I keep going back to it again and again as I find simply breathtaking to watch and listen to!

Kind Regards,

Richard

Here is a good example of a split personality organist - half way through Danse Macabre he pops out for a hair cut ...and a new console etc!!

AJJ

Michel Chapuis improvising on the organ of the Chapel Royal at Versailles
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=ArTJAlKPdpQ&...feature=related

Best wishes

J

Came across this set by chance whilst browsing the website of the church in question. History of the organ:

St. Laurenskerk, Rotterdam, NL
There are pictures of this organ as early as 1645 when an organ was in situ. This had been built by Hans Goltfusz. This lasted until around 1790 when a new organ was built by Wolfferts: this was worked on by Meere in 1828.

The Wolfferts / Mere organ was lost, along with almost all of the rest of the cathedral on 14th May 1940 when Rotterdam was heavily bombed by the Germans.

The current organ contains 4 manuals, 84 stops, 150 ranks and around 7600 pipes: it was built by Marcussen of Denmark in 1973.

There are several clips on YouTube and it sounds fantastic:

Firstly, someone trying to play Handel's "Water Music" on the instrument. Sounds OK.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNJy1KJLOXg

Next up is an improvisation on Psalm 54. Anyone know the composer?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS4vh7tbmG4

And another improvisation on 'Holy Holy Holy':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaY3ORoX6Vw

Lastly, this piece makes great use of the organ's chamade ranks. Anyone know the title & composer of the piece?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmPYSlolSVw

Anyway, sounds fantastic: I shall make every effort to hear this organ next time I find myself in Holland.

As an aside, this church has three other organs:

Transept organ:
Marcussen of Denmark, 1959. 3 manuals, 31 stops, 52 ranks

Choir Organ:
Unknown builder, 1725. Came from a catholic church in Amsterdam. Moved to Bunschoten but was later moved to Rotterdam by Marcussen of Denmark.
1 manual, 8 stops, 12 ranks and a tremulant. Borrowed pedals with no independant stops. Manual - Pedal coupler.

Positive Organ:
Built for a church in Rotterdam, 1963. Moved to St. Laurenskerk in 1990.

Dave

Which one?

Cameron Carpenter!

I know; I was sort of making a point (badly). The two performers seem pretty similar to me. However, what do people think of this:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pATsnf9Ie5s ?

Very clever technique, excellent handling of the instrument, and all from memory too. But it just doesn't come across as a musical performance IMHO. He takes massive liberties with Franck's intentions, and these just get in the way of the music to me. But I can admire the technique - and the clever gratuitous thumbing-down in the F sharp minor bit before the end.

I much prefer this interpretation: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dugrozq17Ek&...feature=related

Concerning Virgil Fox, I have contemplated posting the following on this thread, and have now decided to put my head above the parapet, and am quite expecting to be shot down for having "bad taste". For a really moving performance, see http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JSbNgX1_-SA. I think that most people will have the same initial negative reaction as I had. However, upon subsequent listenings, I've really grown to appreciate this, especially considering the circumstances of its performance. I think it displays a really fine sense of musicianship, and a really skillful organist, and I've gone back to listen to it several times.

Do you think he intentionally dressed up to look like Freddie Mercury?

I love the way he introduces vibrato into the organ tone by waving his wrists and arms around while holding keys down.
I hadn't realised that the Mashall and Jaeger (electronic) instrument is touch sensitive to that extent. Now wonder people are (supposedly) raving about it.

Pierre Cochereau:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEnfwY6rYU4


More Rotterdam - worth watching for the concentration on the stop-pullers' faces..... and the shaking organist toward the end!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4QQXCobw40


Daniel Roth - Vierne Symphony 2 Mvt1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOofV3PCnno


Toccata and Fugue in D Minor..... again. This time on the Hill Organ in Sydney Town Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXoyr_FyFw

Peter

Not at all Youtube, but an interesting tangent. I've just ordered my copy of this. Has anyone else heard/seen it. What's it like. I have high expectations!

http://www.elgarfoundation.org/trolleyed/2/57/index.htm

Charles

Of all the improvisations from St Sulpice, this is the one I find the most musical: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVJq8aBfBEI

If you look through the comments on these videos I believe that you will discover that they are all original improvisations.

Apparently the last one is based on "the dutch hyme: 'Eens als de bazuinen klinken'"

There are several excellent videos in various formats (YouTube, blip, WMV, even the dreaded RM) available at this St. Sulpice web page. The most interesting are those of Daniel Roth improvising for visitors while calling out the stop changes: "Voix Humaine by Clicquot", "a wonderful stop, Flûte Conique, just behind the façade", and so on. Watch him stretch for the fourth manual and imagine Widor playing the Allegro from Symphonie No. 6 back back when the Récit was on V: The mind boggles!

Here is another recording of M. Roth, this time playing Vierne's Cathédrales in Rouen. I very much want to pick up this CD after watching the video, but it requires an SACD player. Has anyone on this forum invested in an SACD player? Was it worthwhile? I wonder if they make computer optical drives with SACD capability?

Moving a bit closer to home for most forum members (warning: PDF) I found myself enjoying this recording of Petr Eben's Moto Ostinato shortly after he passed. Linked off to the right you can find the same piece recorded in three parts at the Bätz organ in Utrecht Domkerk with some very busy stop-pullers!

Finally, for a laugh try some of this insanity. It must be rather difficult to keep up with the Joneses up at West Point, but the U.S. Naval Academy is gamely trying. Their "64' Double Ophicleide" reminds me of the sideline artillery fire at the Army-Navy (American) football games I saw growing up. It must be said that Veterans Stadium was a better acoustic for such cannonades.

These SACD JAV recordings can play on ordinary CD players too. I have the one from St Sulpice "The Widor Mass", which amongst other bits and pieces, the Mass for 2 choirs and 2 organs is performed and is excellent

Peter

All SACD discs should contain a second physical layer with standard CD audio data, and this layer should play in standard CD players. There is no computer optical drive that can read the SACD layer (but they should all read the CD layer).

I have an SACD player but rarely use it for that purpose due to the relative paucity of true SACD disc releases. Quite a number actually turn out to be remastered CD recordings, sometimes with surround channel content, but rarely at a quality greater than that of a CD. IMHO it's not worth it for SACD alone, but is useful to have if it comes as part of a good quality system you were going to buy anyway! Whether SACD and its rival, DVD-A, gain a critical market mass, only time will tell...

There are some SACDs which have no CD layer, but use the SACD layer to hold a much greater amount of stereo. For instance, BIS sell Fagius's complete Bach organ works on 17 CDs, or on 5 SACDs.

Paul

SACDs are a problem for those of us who use a DVD player for playing CDs. Once that they have detected that there is a second layer they are unable to cope. One solution to this problem, if you have a computer with a CD reader, is to copy the CD (and it copies the CD layer only) onto an ordinary CD. Doesn't work if your computer has a DVD reader!

The Daniel Roth CD appears to have both layers, but his narrated tour of the organ is only available on the SACD layer. I am curious to hear some of the stops in isolation, such as the Voix Éolienne. For those interested, organist Christine Kamp has put up some interesting pictures of the instrument including a short video.

Thank you all for the helpful SACD information, although I must apologise for diverting this thread with technical talk. To put us back on track, here is Stanford's Magnificat in G from YouTube.

My various computer DVDs all read the CD layer of a SACD perfectly happily.

Paul

Sadly the experiment of two Oxbridge organ students playing Widor's tocatto as a duet (with each playing four bars before one slides off the bench to the left as the other joins from the right, keeping the playing continuous throughout) has been deleted. It has to rank as probably the funniest clip i have yet seen on Youtube and I hope two people will take up the challnege to rpelicate it somje day!

The recording of Virgil Fox playing is here, sorry for the broken link before. I think Cameron Carpenter wins though...
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=KbGCriVk9UM&...ted&search=

And if you want to have a go for yourselves, it's movement IV of this: https://urresearch.rochester.edu/handle/1802/3802
(Good old Sibley comes up trumps again.)

Thank you for this link. I keep coming back to this video again and again. It's beautiful playing and a beautiful organ. I want an organ and chapel like that in my house too! And I'd rather like to be able to improvise as well as that!

He has brought out a couple of DVDs on the Plenum Vox label - Personal Notes 2 and 3 (1 is just a CD I think) - my wife got them for me for my birthday after they had been mentioned on here. You get some Baroque improvisation and some Symphonic stuff at S. Ouen Rouen. Magic!!

AJJ

After this recommendation, for which many thanks, I've just purchased Vol 2. (Fast service from Amazon - ordered day 1 arrived day 3, and I didn't pay postage). Very enjoyable. although I think I would have liked a few more views inside the churches, and someone should tell Chapuis to cut his hair. For all that, I agree, "magic". The microphones were obviously placed at suitable positions within the naves. From what I can make out from the Plenum Vox website, Vol 1 was a DVD but doesn't appear to be available any longer, and Vol 3 isn't as freely available as Vol 2.

I have just ordered Vol 1 (the DVD) from amazon.fr and they claim to have despatched it yesterday.

It might be better to tell him to get someone else to cut his hair.

So even the hair must conform to a standard ?
Remember the french tradition of cutting methods
could have left some fears of misinterpretations...

"-Cut me short, please"!!!!

"YESSS, SIR, TO LENGHT!!!"

Pierre

This fanfare is not a YouTube item - just audio and is posted without comment! (Except to say that I recommend that your PC's sub-woofer is active...)

http://web.mac.com/joe.vitacco/iWeb/Site/T...pe%20Organ.html

This is my first post to the forum after several weeks of watching and enjoying the content.

I shall introduce myself later today when I've returned from Stephen Cleobury's recital at Birmingham Town Hall.



handsoff

Terrific - improvised performance, tone quality captured and everything!
[Even allowing for the limitations imposed by hearing music over the internet.]
Fantastic voicing, too - this (to my ears) is no longer a vague homage to C-C, this is (from the evidence of your recording) firmly on a par - splendid by any standards.
Congratulations to all concerned.

My favourite is a performance of Franck's Premier Choral by the (Russian?) accordeonist Aleksander Skljarov: Part I and Part II. Unbelievable what he does on his instrument, and very well played. The sound is familiar with a French harmonium!

Gerco Schaap (NL)

Quite astonishing!! Such variety of colour and dynamics. Incredible. A very moving performance too - he understands this piece better than some organists I could mention!

I note a comment saying that Franck was a harmonium player too!

Paul

Naji - I just adore this brief improv on Salve Regina. It repays several visits. Quintessential recent Hakim - tuneful, jazzy, playful, even childlike at times - and a classic dominant preparation which he then overshoots à la Walton (albeit in the minor). Superb control of both instrument and that famously luminescent acoustic too.

The Naji Hakim improvisation is stunning - I don't know he concentrates with the hordes around the console. I had an involuntary giggle towards the end when he was "crossing hands". It brought back memories of the Beverley Hillbillies when Grandmaw boasts that Ellie-May (really her grandson in drag!) could play the pianny (sic) so well she could even cross her hands on the keyboard....

The link below is the next section of YouTube and is well worth a few minutes of your time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibFI9xEaON8...feature=related

Peter

Absolutely - and without music too - seriously impressive!

Another SPLENDID one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiDa1L8XspQ...feature=related

(Handkershief necessary before starting that one!)

Pierre

Indeed, Pierre. Such gentle 'unassumed' but beautifully musical playing.

The very same, from this month, with a somewhat better sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6mstVjue9A

Pierre