Nice production. These extraordinary historic organ performances by legendary artists give quite a perspective on different interpretations of the pieces performed, especially this well-known concert piece.
If I recall correctly, the "Living Presence" recordinga were all made usinf 35 mm. magnetic film, rather than conventional magnetic tape. This made a HUGE difference in the quality of the finished product. The legendary Virgil Fox (a pupil of Dupre) made some of his finest recordings using this technology, under the direction of the late band leader Robert Fine. Not until Fox made his last two commercial recordings for Crystal Clear Records, using both digital and direct-to-disc technology, did Fox equal, let alone exceed, the quality of such recordings as this one!
This recording is special because Dupre is playing. Also this is the organ at St. Thomas before it was hacked to pieces by a number of "restorations". Now the entire organ is being replaced.
I guess we lucked out. The Skinner at Severance Hall was NEVER restored or modified ... mostly because it was shut away above the shell! And when it was relocated, that was done with the instrument AS IS. My only complaint is that we here in Cleveland don't hear it often enough!
No mistaking a purring Skinner 32' Bombarde. Manuel Rosales of L.A. Installed a 32' Bombarde for us at St. James Cathedral Seattle. Lots of fundamental and a roaring purr of a Skinner reed. Match it with the 16' Opheclide and hold on to your hat.
The St. Thomas organ was one of the first installations by Skinner at what the French call a Grand Choeur division. With the blessing of Mr. Noble, organist at the time. You can hear this division engage at min. 8:00. No missing it. This became the "Bombarde" division in America. Mr. Noble had Casavant install a similar Bombarde at Grace Cathedral S.F. Sadly the Grace Cathedral Bombarde division has been silenced.
Just for clarification's sake: Dr. Noble was there when Ernest M. Skinner installed his Op. 205 in 1913. When G. Donald Harrison, of Aeolian-Skinner, installed their essentially brand new Op. 205-A in 1956, William Self was the Organist/Choirmaster at St. Thomas. Dr. Noble, stepped down in 1945 and died in 1953. E.M. Skinner organs were the "old man's" (genius) ideas. An Aeolian-Skinner organ, in general, should never be referred to as a "Skinner." The two companies' output (although linked by history) could not be more different in concept. (and yes, I used to refer to any EMS or A-S organ as a "Skinner." I was finally "schooled" on their vast differences.)
I'm glad you said this, I usually love Dupré's interpretations, but I found this over-articulated which lost some of the grandiose effect. Regardless, it's technically flawless as you'd expect even if musical taste diverges.
So many of the composer's indications (Rits., etc.) are ignored in this rendition. Ultimately, rather mechanical, unfeeling and uninspiring playing. I've heard much better.
@@Highinsight7 -- first time I'm hearing this recording of the Allegro of Widor's 6th by Dupre. First of all, I LOVE Marcel Dupre's music. Secondly, I do have to agree with Bob H's observations. I've heard several other (much earlier) recordings by Dupre, and I've been shocked by (a) the number of obvious mistakes, and (b) ignoring the composer's markings. Granted ANY performer has the absolute right to interpret any music their own way (and sometimes a given interpretation can vastly improve on the original). I've read numerous times that "performance standards" today are way higher than they were even 50-60 years ago. So, yes, "it's Dupre, dude," but by today's standard's it was not the most exciting performance of this old barn-burner by any stretch of the imagination. All that said, it was still enjoyable, and is a valued audio document of, arguably, one of the 20th century's most important organ composers and performers. Also, although I'm certainly in a minority, the original GDH Aeolian-Skinner at St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue (and it's numerous subsequent alterations) was NOT a favorite organ of mine in the least. I could point to any number of GDH A-S organs which I think were far better. In my opinion, (which counts for naught), the new Dobson is a godsend to that venerable parish.
@@davidminton5176 By the way... I play the ENTIRE Symphony in this "public" performance... UNFORTUNATELY... right before the end of the last movement... the tape ends : (
@@Highinsight7 - I find it interesting that, unless one is a trained organist, one cannot have an opinion. I’m assuming you must feel that same when music critics offer opinions of concert performances, even though they are seldom master of the given instrument/vocal performance/etc. I will most definitely give your performance a listen with great interest. The Widor 6th is, hands down, one of my all-time favorite organ compositions. I can honestly say I’ve only heard one performance in my life of any movement from it that I could say was truly “bad.” And, in that particular case, a five year old could have recognized that as well. I have nothing to prove by my opinion. It is my opinion, and nobody is above criticism, least of all myself. I’ll be anxious to listen to your recording as soon as I can.
Nice production. These extraordinary historic organ performances by legendary artists give quite a perspective on different interpretations of the pieces performed, especially this well-known concert piece.
I wish we had a recording of Dupre playing the WHOLE thing!
If I recall correctly, the "Living Presence" recordinga were all made usinf 35 mm. magnetic film, rather than conventional magnetic tape. This made a HUGE difference in the quality of the finished product. The legendary Virgil Fox (a pupil of Dupre) made some of his finest recordings using this technology, under the direction of the late band leader Robert Fine. Not until Fox made his last two commercial recordings for Crystal Clear Records, using both digital and direct-to-disc technology, did Fox equal, let alone exceed, the quality of such recordings as this one!
This a maestro playing. Wów!!
This recording is special because Dupre is playing. Also this is the organ at St. Thomas before it was hacked to pieces by a number of "restorations". Now the entire organ is being replaced.
I guess we lucked out. The Skinner at Severance Hall was NEVER restored or modified ... mostly because it was shut away above the shell! And when it was relocated, that was done with the instrument AS IS. My only complaint is that we here in Cleveland don't hear it often enough!
No mistaking a purring Skinner 32' Bombarde. Manuel Rosales of L.A. Installed a 32' Bombarde for us at St. James Cathedral Seattle. Lots of fundamental and a roaring purr of a Skinner reed. Match it with the 16' Opheclide and hold on to your hat.
The St. Thomas organ was one of the first installations by Skinner at what the French call a Grand Choeur division. With the blessing of Mr. Noble, organist at the time. You can hear this division engage at min. 8:00. No missing it. This became the "Bombarde" division in America. Mr. Noble had Casavant install a similar Bombarde at Grace Cathedral S.F. Sadly the Grace Cathedral Bombarde division has been silenced.
Just for clarification's sake: Dr. Noble was there when Ernest M. Skinner installed his Op. 205 in 1913. When G. Donald Harrison, of Aeolian-Skinner, installed their essentially brand new Op. 205-A in 1956, William Self was the Organist/Choirmaster at St. Thomas. Dr. Noble, stepped down in 1945 and died in 1953. E.M. Skinner organs were the "old man's" (genius) ideas. An Aeolian-Skinner organ, in general, should never be referred to as a "Skinner." The two companies' output (although linked by history) could not be more different in concept. (and yes, I used to refer to any EMS or A-S organ as a "Skinner." I was finally "schooled" on their vast differences.)
I don't like this rendition, but mister Marcel Dupre is excused because he was at a high age already when this recording was made.
I'm glad you said this, I usually love Dupré's interpretations, but I found this over-articulated which lost some of the grandiose effect. Regardless, it's technically flawless as you'd expect even if musical taste diverges.
I made a bass boosted version of exactly this! Check it out!
FPVSprint Music Wow, where can i find this? Thanks in advance!
@@av-uc4vx It actually is directly on my channel, just click on my username and you'll find it.
FPVSprint Music OK thanks véry much!!!
So many of the composer's indications (Rits., etc.) are ignored in this rendition. Ultimately, rather mechanical, unfeeling and uninspiring playing. I've heard much better.
it's Dupre dude... feel free to share your recording
@@Highinsight7 -- first time I'm hearing this recording of the Allegro of Widor's 6th by Dupre. First of all, I LOVE Marcel Dupre's music. Secondly, I do have to agree with Bob H's observations. I've heard several other (much earlier) recordings by Dupre, and I've been shocked by (a) the number of obvious mistakes, and (b) ignoring the composer's markings. Granted ANY performer has the absolute right to interpret any music their own way (and sometimes a given interpretation can vastly improve on the original). I've read numerous times that "performance standards" today are way higher than they were even 50-60 years ago. So, yes, "it's Dupre, dude," but by today's standard's it was not the most exciting performance of this old barn-burner by any stretch of the imagination. All that said, it was still enjoyable, and is a valued audio document of, arguably, one of the 20th century's most important organ composers and performers. Also, although I'm certainly in a minority, the original GDH Aeolian-Skinner at St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue (and it's numerous subsequent alterations) was NOT a favorite organ of mine in the least. I could point to any number of GDH A-S organs which I think were far better. In my opinion, (which counts for naught), the new Dobson is a godsend to that venerable parish.
@@davidminton5176 AND... there's mine...ruclips.net/video/8il8Lesjn8Y/видео.html
@@davidminton5176 By the way... I play the ENTIRE Symphony in this "public" performance... UNFORTUNATELY... right before the end of the last movement... the tape ends : (
@@Highinsight7 - I find it interesting that, unless one is a trained organist, one cannot have an opinion. I’m assuming you must feel that same when music critics offer opinions of concert performances, even though they are seldom master of the given instrument/vocal performance/etc. I will most definitely give your performance a listen with great interest. The Widor 6th is, hands down, one of my all-time favorite organ compositions. I can honestly say I’ve only heard one performance in my life of any movement from it that I could say was truly “bad.” And, in that particular case, a five year old could have recognized that as well. I have nothing to prove by my opinion. It is my opinion, and nobody is above criticism, least of all myself. I’ll be anxious to listen to your recording as soon as I can.