I was about 15 yrs old when Virgil died. My dad would come home from work and "put on Virgil" and we'd all have to suffer through it. I recall that Fox and John Lennon died the same year and my dad was appalled that "someone like this Lennon fellow gets all this attention and one of the greatist musicians of our time is all but ignored!" I remember I thought it was kinda of funny that my dad felt that way. NOW I realize how right he was!
This is organ virtuosity at its finest and most compelling. Sad to think that Virgil Fox had learned that he was terminally-ill when this performance was played, because it is so full of life.
Mr. Fox performed a concert on the organ in the church where I am currently organist/choir master. Wish I could have been there then. And this piece surely must have been written with him in mind. He is an unsung "hero" of the King of Instruments.
Oh wow. What a treat. I have a recording of Fox playing this (on an LP!), but this is a first for seeing him. This is such an inspiration. It is a difficult piece, but he makes it look so easy!
The Virgil Fox Society had this performance available in stereo. I think they eventually found it easier just to make it available on youTube. Unfortunately it now appears only to be monaural.
On September the 27th, Peter Richard Conte and The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform the Jongen Symphonie Concertante at Macy's, on the Wamanaker Organ !
Really quite amazing. Most organists have a hard time staying in sync with orchestra musicians. They're used to being the entire show. Listen to 1:09 organ and flute/clarinet perfectly together. Really nice.
What type of organ is this...they showed pipes at some point. Is it hooked up to them or selfcontained it's a very loud piece, i think i prefer solo organ music like bach.
I actully like this organ. Neat looking organ! Great Toccata! Was this written by Virgil Fox! Virgil Fox was way before my time. BUT I truely enjoy his works and wish I could find more vids on him@!
Probably THE best Romantic period composition for organ and orchestra. Vierne and Widor wrote some good things, bu this Toccata, especially when played by SUCH a master as Dr. Fox, gives me chills every time.I hear it, Good orchestra, but I would prefer o hear it live. The organ sound is disappointing, but then again, maybe hearing it live would help.
My university orchestra played the entire Jongen "Symphonie Concertante" (all four movements) twice during my years in college. I played bass clarinet the first time, and 2nd clarinet the second time. Both 1st and 2nd clarinet parts have finger-flying passageworks through the course of this movement. 'Twas challenging, but very exhilarating! Thanks for posting the video. Great performance!
Are you sure? Doesn't look or sound like that here. But I can understand becoming used to performing something and having to adjust to a new performance. Live in concert is not the best place to make the change.
@Offshoreorganbuilder who said that. ??? he was exceedingly eccentric. and a great teacher at the museum in cleveland. the little elf was the most exciting thing you ever wanted to run away from. performance artist. but he was a musician of magical proportion. and got away with murder because of it. he kept the king of instruments from dying. and excited the young to get involved in it. well, young eccentrics anyway.
Virgil,we miss you!Come back!You was so good organist!Great performance!
Just look at the sheer joy on Virgil's face at the end!
One of my favorite pieces... but I was so used to Virgil doing it solo, I didn't even know it was written for orchestra! lol
I was about 15 yrs old when Virgil died. My dad would come home from work and "put on Virgil" and we'd all have to suffer through it.
I recall that Fox and John Lennon died the same year and my dad was appalled that "someone like this Lennon fellow gets all this attention and one of the greatist musicians of our time is all but ignored!"
I remember I thought it was kinda of funny that my dad felt that way. NOW I realize how right he was!
Your father was a good man.
This is organ virtuosity at its finest and most compelling. Sad to think that Virgil Fox had learned that he was terminally-ill when this performance was played, because it is so full of life.
Virgil, we miss you! Such passion! I wonder if we'll ever see that kind of enthusiasm again.
Mr. Fox performed a concert on the organ in the church where I am currently organist/choir master. Wish I could have been there then. And this piece surely must have been written with him in mind. He is an unsung "hero" of the King of Instruments.
you don't decide what good taste is for other people... you find it like that, I think that fox is extremely creative... 5 points extra!
Oh wow. What a treat. I have a recording of Fox playing this (on an LP!), but this is a first for seeing him. This is such an inspiration. It is a difficult piece, but he makes it look so easy!
this guy's intense.
not even his hands; he just looks crazy.
excellent performance.
The Virgil Fox Society had this performance available in stereo. I think they eventually found it easier just to make it available on youTube. Unfortunately it now appears only to be monaural.
On September the 27th, Peter Richard Conte and The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform the Jongen Symphonie Concertante at Macy's, on the Wamanaker Organ !
Hands never stop!!! Amazing!!!
@carterdriggs
I really agree! My musical credo is " If You will come across, I´ll come across!"
Really quite amazing. Most organists have a hard time staying in sync with orchestra musicians. They're used to being the entire show. Listen to 1:09 organ and flute/clarinet perfectly together. Really nice.
Really fantastic and exciting piece! Thanks for posting it! Can't imagine where you'd put something as pedantic as a music stand on that console.
June 1977 - June 2007 - 30 years ago this month!
brilliantttttttt briiiiiiiiiiiiilliant..
What type of organ is this...they showed pipes at some point. Is it hooked up to them or selfcontained
it's a very loud piece, i think i prefer solo organ music like bach.
I actully like this organ. Neat looking organ! Great Toccata! Was this written by Virgil Fox! Virgil Fox was way before my time. BUT I truely enjoy his works and wish I could find more vids on him@!
The pentatonic aspect of certain themes may have been chosen to please an asiatic orchestra and public.
Great stuff. I enjoyed this.
Probably THE best Romantic period composition for organ and orchestra. Vierne and Widor wrote some good things, bu this Toccata, especially when played by SUCH a master as Dr. Fox, gives me chills every time.I hear it, Good orchestra, but I would prefer o hear it live. The organ sound is disappointing, but then again, maybe hearing it live would help.
The one and only...
holy crap. that is awsome.
Yes, yes
Take a look at Virgil's facebook page for more
My university orchestra played the entire Jongen "Symphonie Concertante" (all four movements) twice during my years in college. I played bass clarinet the first time, and 2nd clarinet the second time. Both 1st and 2nd clarinet parts have finger-flying passageworks through the course of this movement. 'Twas challenging, but very exhilarating!
Thanks for posting the video. Great performance!
Are you sure? Doesn't look or sound like that here.
But I can understand becoming used to performing something and having to adjust to a new performance.
Live in concert is not the best place to make the change.
where´s that organ?
Where is this recorded?
It was recorded in 1977 in NHK Hall in Tokyo. Virgil is playing the 1971 Karl Schuke organ and performing with the NHK Symphony Orchestra.
This is surely the answer to those gripes who say that Virgil Fox was not a true musician, and had no taste. (How DID he remember it all?!)
Quoto appieno
@Offshoreorganbuilder who said that. ??? he was exceedingly eccentric. and a
great teacher at the museum in cleveland. the little elf was the most exciting
thing you ever wanted to run away from. performance artist. but he was
a musician of magical proportion. and got away with murder because of it. he
kept the king of instruments from dying.
and excited the young to get involved in it. well, young eccentrics anyway.
Become a member of DIE ORGELSEITE
The specs are there!
Move over Dr. Phibes
i'm so glad we don't build consoles to look like that or wear coats like that anymore. great stuff, though.
Redonkulous
Awesome. Shame it's a horrible neo-classical organ though!
We must be listening to different recordings.
I can hear plenty of mistakes!
Das stimmt, der Spieltisch ist echt erbärmlich. Es gibt so schöne, mit Holztasten, Registrezügen und Schiebekoppeln!
Yeah, I hate all the guitar and drums music in church; it's all the same and super boring.
Lots of flash, but not much music. Sorry to say that because he looks like such a nice dude.