Wow! Incredible--amazing creative imagination and compositional skill, and fabulous virtuosity. I love the interpolation of the Tallis Third Tone Melody too.
It is VERY clear why they chose you as organist...! Flawless technique. You play with great ease - the mark of a great performer. I really enjoyed this particular piece. This is actually the first time I have heard it..!! I loved it..!! Thank you SO much for sharing your talent and obvious hard work..!! I have been playing the organ for about 50 years now, and I never get tired of it. SO MUCH FUN..!! It still gives me the "chills" to play and hear the music of great composers and that very distinct reverberation within the confines of the instrument. I love Marcel D. He was such a genius. Some of his music is so technically difficult and challenging. I would love to hear you play some of his works..!! Sorry to digress, but nevertheless, you are obviously a great musician..!!!!
that is awsome at the end when he does that cord man. You can really here that cord echo for along time through that cathedral ,that place must be huge. That is cool, Simon is very smart and you can tell he's been playing it for a while.
Simon is obviously very gifted. I wished he would have played a regular hymn or anthem that we all KNEW and could enjoy. Thanks for the improvisational piece but give us a familiar hymn or anthem Simon also. Thanks
What I did mean was, I personally felt that a peice that people, in general, are more familiar with could have been uploaded. I see other people on here have also expressed similar views.
This piece sounds great on my home theater. The bass on my speakers shakes the house. Simon Johnson should consider composing some more and putting out a CD.
I would love to hear this on St. Albans Cathedral organ for comparison because that is where I was brought up. Please? There aren't many recordings of that on RUclips.
Was commenting there on Wolverhampton Civic - an organ which was never intended to be a theatre organ, where the theatre ranks don't sit well with the rest. In a proper theatre organ, they fit in far better - though the Kinura is a sound I don't particularly enjoy. Anyway, I've recently helped put the finishing touches to a 4-manual Wurlitzer installation and later this year will, I hope, be part of the team installing the Trocadero Wurlitzer in the Troxy, Stepney. Now, back to St Paul's...
@RevTJEF - yeah, I thought it reminded me of Vaughan Williams, but I couldn't think what! Now you've answered my question, it's the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, which uses that same Tallis theme...
I listened to Simon Johnson yesterday in a concert organ at Montserrat (Catalonia). Good work, although Edward Elgar's Sonata is quite boring (personal and subjective valuation).
Perhaps one has to be English and to have visited the Malvern area where Elgar lived to really 'get' Elgar. I don't know the Montserrat organ but I can't imagine the Elgar working on a Spanish instrument. I get a little bored of the Elgar, because many play it, it's now clichéd. The 2nd Sonata (which is actually a transcription of his Severn Suite for brass band) is quite interesting. Also, I always try not to judge a work on a single hearing: my impressions usually change on repeated listening.
Try twelve... at least, that's what my watch said when I timed it at the end of Dupré's Placare Christi Servulis on All Souls' Day 2010, when I think SJ was playing.
OK, name names then: as far as I know we have only two mutual contacts who've actually met me, with both of whom I get on well. One no longer speaks to you. The 4m I did not 'run down' - I just said it had endured a certain amount in the way of (inevitable) teething troubles. What I did have a go at was an Allen electronic, which has recently been 'reborn' and is reportedly less than successful. I have never met the owner, so how I could run it down in front of him I'm not sure. Back to St P's!
Early comments from when I'd only just got into theatre organs. These days there is far more that I can tolerate - though I really do draw the line at Phil Kelsall, whose registrations I find absolutely vile. I have to say, I enjoy much theatre organ music far more than you appear to enjoy classical organ music. God knows if you can find Vierne's Pieces de Fantaisie "miserable"...
What he means is that he's a cinema organ fanatic who moans about any decent classical music (particularly French symphonic repertoire) being "miserable". Don't get me wrong, I love cinema organs and will always defend them if they're attacked - but Ross McNeillie (aka 3dwurli) is particularly intolerant of a lot of classical repertoire.
Unfortunatly Richard Harrold here (TheMysticalOrgan,AnOrganCornucopia,EccentricRichard) is abit of a hypocryte. "Why oh why oh why can't theatre organists resist the temptation of those Tremulants?" "the full Tibias+Violes+Tremulants effect is absolutely disgusting - almost as digusting and tasteless, in fact, as that lighted surround!" "I cannot think why ANYONE would enjoy the Tibias + trems sound! It makes me feel seasick...
Simon Johnson is not only a virtuoso but great interpreter! Superb technique!
Wow! Incredible--amazing creative imagination and compositional skill, and fabulous virtuosity. I love the interpolation of the Tallis Third Tone Melody too.
Deeply moved. I am a Canadian church organist and am enthralled by your musical gift. Am occasionally in London and would be honoured meet you.
I would like to hear this composition played on the Cavaille-coll at St Ouen in Rouen France. It is so very French.
It is VERY clear why they chose you as organist...! Flawless technique. You play with great ease - the mark of a great performer. I really enjoyed this particular piece. This is actually the first time I have heard it..!! I loved it..!! Thank you SO much for sharing your talent and obvious hard work..!! I have been playing the organ for about 50 years now, and I never get tired of it. SO MUCH FUN..!! It still gives me the "chills" to play and hear the music of great composers and that very distinct reverberation within the confines of the instrument. I love Marcel D. He was such a genius. Some of his music is so technically difficult and challenging. I would love to hear you play some of his works..!! Sorry to digress, but nevertheless, you are obviously a great musician..!!!!
Ah, so you WERE at St. Albans. I met you there years ago, we had a drink at your flat. You've come a long way, Simon. Cheers
Excellent I have this very DVD and with a good sound system this organ is amazing and will certainly wake the neighbours up!
that is awsome at the end when he does that cord man. You can really here that cord echo for along time through that cathedral ,that place must be huge. That is cool, Simon is very smart and you can tell he's been playing it for a while.
Well done Simon. Really exciting! Still my favourite organ in my favourite building and you are rapidly becoming one of my favourite players!
Simon is obviously very gifted. I wished he would have played a regular hymn or anthem that we all KNEW and could enjoy. Thanks for the improvisational piece but give us a familiar hymn or anthem Simon also. Thanks
I'm getting a bit of a Vaughn Williams, Tom Tallis, and Messiaen vibe from this! I love it!
¡¡Bravo!!, muy bueno con el Órgano, felicidades.
V. Lecha.
What I did mean was, I personally felt that a peice that people, in general, are more familiar with could have been uploaded. I see other people on here have also expressed similar views.
This piece sounds great on my home theater. The bass on my speakers shakes the house. Simon Johnson should consider composing some more and putting out a CD.
Great organ and great sound.
I would love to hear this on St. Albans Cathedral organ for comparison because that is where I was brought up. Please? There aren't many recordings of that on RUclips.
WOW! Fantastic!
When does the shipping start? I cant wait for mine to come in!
towering performance
48,934
LOVE this piece.... Who's the publisher...?
Was commenting there on Wolverhampton Civic - an organ which was never intended to be a theatre organ, where the theatre ranks don't sit well with the rest. In a proper theatre organ, they fit in far better - though the Kinura is a sound I don't particularly enjoy. Anyway, I've recently helped put the finishing touches to a 4-manual Wurlitzer installation and later this year will, I hope, be part of the team installing the Trocadero Wurlitzer in the Troxy, Stepney. Now, back to St Paul's...
@RevTJEF - yeah, I thought it reminded me of Vaughan Williams, but I couldn't think what! Now you've answered my question, it's the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, which uses that same Tallis theme...
I listened to Simon Johnson yesterday in a concert organ at Montserrat (Catalonia).
Good work, although Edward Elgar's Sonata is quite boring (personal and subjective valuation).
Yes, I would also like to hear an uplifting hymn!
Perhaps one has to be English and to have visited the Malvern area where Elgar lived to really 'get' Elgar. I don't know the Montserrat organ but I can't imagine the Elgar working on a Spanish instrument. I get a little bored of the Elgar, because many play it, it's now clichéd. The 2nd Sonata (which is actually a transcription of his Severn Suite for brass band) is quite interesting. Also, I always try not to judge a work on a single hearing: my impressions usually change on repeated listening.
Awsome I loved it.What a technique ay wat.D
@EccentricRichard
Why fum'th in fight?
Try twelve... at least, that's what my watch said when I timed it at the end of Dupré's Placare Christi Servulis on All Souls' Day 2010, when I think SJ was playing.
OK, name names then: as far as I know we have only two mutual contacts who've actually met me, with both of whom I get on well. One no longer speaks to you. The 4m I did not 'run down' - I just said it had endured a certain amount in the way of (inevitable) teething troubles. What I did have a go at was an Allen electronic, which has recently been 'reborn' and is reportedly less than successful. I have never met the owner, so how I could run it down in front of him I'm not sure. Back to St P's!
Sorry, huh? I was just mentioning, I thought it reminded me of Vaughan Williams and I had no idea why, until he mentioned Tallis...
@livzdave I cant wait for mine to come in...!!
You have neither played the Civic hall organ, nor heard it in person. Those who have played it and those who have heard it will disagree with you.
Now play "Light My Fire".
got talent ¡¡
Nice pageturner ;-)
Early comments from when I'd only just got into theatre organs. These days there is far more that I can tolerate - though I really do draw the line at Phil Kelsall, whose registrations I find absolutely vile. I have to say, I enjoy much theatre organ music far more than you appear to enjoy classical organ music. God knows if you can find Vierne's Pieces de Fantaisie "miserable"...
What he means is that he's a cinema organ fanatic who moans about any decent classical music (particularly French symphonic repertoire) being "miserable". Don't get me wrong, I love cinema organs and will always defend them if they're attacked - but Ross McNeillie (aka 3dwurli) is particularly intolerant of a lot of classical repertoire.
Could have chosen something better to upload to youtube!
Unfortunatly Richard Harrold here (TheMysticalOrgan,AnOrganCornucopia,EccentricRichard) is abit of a hypocryte.
"Why oh why oh why can't theatre organists resist the temptation of those Tremulants?"
"the full Tibias+Violes+Tremulants effect is absolutely disgusting - almost as digusting and tasteless, in fact, as that lighted surround!"
"I cannot think why ANYONE would enjoy the Tibias + trems sound! It makes me feel seasick...