I was fortunate enough to see Virgil Fox at the Paramount in Seattle in 1974. To this day he is still the best ever!! His mother sat right behind us. It was her 90th birthday!
78" of a MASTERCLASS in top-level Organ performance... And you don't have to be an American, and I'm not, to be deeply moved by a rendering like this! VIRGIL FOX: The ONLY and BEST performer who has ever sat down at the champion of all instruments... Well, since the days of one, Johann Sebastian... Who would look as moved as I! Caps and hats off to both of them!!
This,was the last encore he played in the 4 1 hr live performances for NHK,,all from memory.!! The audience rose to their feet as did the members of the American Embassy. At the end a young man rushed down to him and wrapped his arms around Virgil's legs and wouldnt let go. Virgil laughed and benbing forward he ruffled the hair of the fellow who grinned up at him He played a composition by Bach in every tonality of the keyboard from memory on a console most unforgiving and he bruised his hand.
Any of which can give the viewer the impression of a 747 cockpit's seemingly endless controls and the "How the **** do you keep track of all that?" feeling, also called "Wow factor". This arrangement is beautiful, esp. with the pedal sections. Stops well-chosen, and piece well-played.
This brings back such memories. Being there at Wolftrap Farm Park in the early 70's and being part of an audience of mostly "Hippies". Everyone stood in unison and then cheered and applauded at the end. That is the way it should be played - Proudly!
@Fozzymaple The organ was of German creation and was located in the Great Hall of NHK Television in Tokyo. You are astute to sense the "problems" that accompany those curious "buttons" Virgil earned his salt on that one let me tell you!!! I wont tell you his personal comments to me on tat issue. Blessings
I actually like this Schuke(?) stop layout, with the sloped buttons. I have appreciation for the visual effect of most organ designs, from massive walls of drawknobs to these high-tech button arrays to the beautiful horsesdhoe of colored tabs on a theatre organ, to the imposing, surrounding sweep of tilting tablets (Wanamaker, Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, USMA Cadet Chapel)
@adhtz21 A late but sincere thank you for your kind thoughts of Virgil. In fact the whole world misses him,,but to have been alive to know and hear him,,is a gift from God I believe. I am thankfull I was able to perform Revelation Lights, which I created for him,,in our Heavy Organ Performances. Blessings my friend
@zestylemonboi, The organ was built by Schuke from Germany. It is a tracker instrument with a movable five manual console. It is located at the NKH Concert Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
this organ in a full pipe organ. the deck he is playing on is the concert console. This is a preset selection of stops, selected by the organist before the recital, then electric console is then programmed to play the stops he selects from the unmovable organ console set in under the larger pipes at the back of the stage
Virgil....the best. Freakish in the degree of talent he possessed, he was both a classical genius and a rock and roller. Can't get better than that in my opinion.
If you think that's the fastest version of the Star-Spangled Banner, you never heard John Kiley, who was the organist at Fenway Park and Boston Garden. He played it like the keyboard was about to catch fire.
@pipeup1 But an organ is not a little piano or a tin tin guitar. It is the Emperor of all musical instruments (one man orchestra). You are not an organ fan nor will you understand the shake and vibration it produces within oneself with the single hit of a note. No rock (heavy metal) could match to a redention of Bach on an organ.
This is a serious piece for powerful organ. Makes me wish a recording existed of Al Melgard playing it at the Chicago Stadium, a la the famous (possibly true) story about that song played by him on that organ. Though that might beat this in intensity, no one plays like Fox.
Supposedly, Al Melgard was a temp hired after Barton's provided organist moved on. One day, a fight broke out due to an unpopular decision after a boxing match, and it quickly ran out-of-control. Melgard put on full organ, threw open all the expression, and played that National Anthem. The sheer power not only stopped the fight, but blew out windows and shattered light bulbs all over the building. It's said that this happening gained him his permanent position there. No idea if it's true.
I believe this is the instrument at the NHK Auditorium in Japan, however I would not take that to the bank, I believe it is also digital, which explains the 'arcade' stops.
well that was how he played I read on wikipedia, it is what is called the heavy organ style and was known to reinterperate songs, it also says he was homosexual, but i think he is more known for his music.
@bradhorn14 As others have said, he would most certainly have played more traditionally were he backing up singing. But Fox was a showman, and usually deviated from what the composers probably intended, which is a cardinal sin in the organ world; the serious, oldschool organists feel that to play any way besides slowly, carefully, reverently and exactly as written is a slap to organ, music and composer. I think the world has room for one or two showmen.
@repoman150 i find it interesting when someone plays the most patriotic work of our country in a way that doesnt sound like a funeral durge, someone make a joke about it...
If we can learn anything from all the comments, it's that everybody has their own conceptions of proper tempo, registration and above all, taste. If we can learn anything from the history of music, EVERY innovation ('deviation of the norm'), from tempo to costuming has been criticized as 'bad taste' and disrespectful to the artform by those claiming to be purists who speak for everyone in the field. 'He played it faster- horrors!' Get real- at least he didn't moon the audience.
@koroush7 Of course, the organ is an amazing instrument, but its just that, an instrument. The music played on it is a differant matter. If you sit down to play a Bach prelude and fugue it must be done properly. But alls I'm saying is that you can have plenty of fun on the organ too! Check out Carlo Curley to see what i mean.
Some people have said that Virgil Fox had no taste, despite his prodigious technique. With enthusiasm like this, who's bothered about whether it's in good taste?! Superb.
@PsanterShelZahav - I am not sure where you are from, but these United States of America introduced a form of government to the world that was still mired in kings and feudalism. This government of the people by the people for the people is much imitated, never duplicated. If you are in a country who can choose their leaders by voting instead of a military coup, then say thank you USA!!!!
I agree with you.........the piece looses it majesty with such a flippant fast tempo. You'll have to excuse this "show" organist. It's always more about the show than the musicality.
...are you saying that the country-of-origin of those who were on the moon landing missions involved their religion somehow? A Muslim could indeed have been on the mission, though there weren't any. Chinese, Russian Americans, not really, we were pretty Caucasian-centric then and some of the powers-that-be would have been paranoid about that. I'm just sayin', you named two ethnicities and one religion. One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...
So, you're calling arguably the greatest organist of all time an idiot? Are you in a position to determine that? Let's see your original rendition of your country's national anthem.
God bless you jgraif,I suggest you haven`t heard many of the great Organists who would teach this guy a thing or two. Come to Australia and really hear some great Organists. One of the worlds greatest Organists John Nicholls has unfortunately passed on now. When you win all the Organists prizes in the English competitions you are really something. Its a pity he is not immortal.
i am a trained organist and i have heard ALL of the "great" organists. virgil played all of his Peabody graduation recitals from memory. no one had ever done that before.
Typical american nationalism. The whole world is laughing about America and it seems as if only the Americans don't notice this. What reason should Amerca have to be proud???
Well your comment did make me laugh, greatest organist!!! its like saying Liberace was the greatest pianist of all time, such ignorance, typical bs from the States
I was fortunate enough to see Virgil Fox at the Paramount in Seattle in 1974. To this day he is still the best ever!!
His mother sat right behind us. It was her 90th birthday!
78" of a MASTERCLASS in top-level Organ performance... And you don't have to be an American, and I'm not, to be deeply moved by a rendering like this! VIRGIL FOX: The ONLY and BEST performer who has ever sat down at the champion of all instruments... Well, since the days of one, Johann Sebastian... Who would look as moved as I! Caps and hats off to both of them!!
There is one thing for certain, he is clearly loving every note he plays
This is the unrestrained joy that is embodied in our national anthem!!!
I will say, this is one of the best arrangements of our national anthem, and to have one of the best players playing it is an extra bounus!!
This,was the last encore he played in the 4 1 hr live performances for NHK,,all from memory.!! The audience rose to their feet as did the members of the American Embassy. At the end a young man rushed down to him and wrapped his arms around Virgil's legs and wouldnt let go. Virgil laughed and benbing forward he ruffled the hair of the fellow who grinned up at him He played a composition by Bach in every tonality of the keyboard from memory on a console most unforgiving and he bruised his hand.
Any of which can give the viewer the impression of a 747 cockpit's seemingly endless controls and the "How the **** do you keep track of all that?" feeling, also called "Wow factor". This arrangement is beautiful, esp. with the pedal sections. Stops well-chosen, and piece well-played.
This brings back such memories. Being there at Wolftrap Farm Park in the early 70's and being part of an audience of mostly "Hippies". Everyone stood in unison and then cheered and applauded at the end. That is the way it should be played - Proudly!
@Fozzymaple The organ was of German creation and was located in the Great Hall of NHK Television in Tokyo. You are astute to sense the "problems" that accompany those curious "buttons" Virgil earned his salt on that one let me tell you!!! I wont tell you his personal comments to me on tat issue.
Blessings
Go Virgil! I know he’s gone, but through these videos, etc. he will live on.
Lost of emotion he played with his heart!
He gets into it ,Loves what he does
WOW...someone should give this man some decaf...thats gotta be the fastest version of the national anthem ive ever heard.
Virgil Fox is deceased. Perhaps he has slowed down a triffle, but I doubt death took from him his love of the USA.
I've listened to Bish and others perform his arrangement, and frankly, they drag.
I actually like this Schuke(?) stop layout, with the sloped buttons. I have appreciation for the visual effect of most organ designs, from massive walls of drawknobs to these high-tech button arrays to the beautiful horsesdhoe of colored tabs on a theatre organ, to the imposing, surrounding sweep of tilting tablets (Wanamaker, Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, USMA Cadet Chapel)
@ZestyLemonBoi I am relatively certain this is his "portable" or "travelling" console that he used for touring.
It was his Rodgers touring organ
NEVER played better on any instrument, but certainly on the Pipe Organ, the King of Instruments!
@adhtz21 A late but sincere thank you for your kind thoughts of Virgil. In fact the whole world misses him,,but to have been alive to know and hear him,,is a gift from God I believe. I am thankfull I was able to perform Revelation Lights, which I created for him,,in our Heavy Organ Performances.
Blessings my friend
@zestylemonboi, The organ was built by Schuke from Germany. It is a tracker instrument with a movable five manual console. It is located at the NKH Concert Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
You know Virgil fox lived in my hometown of Englewood NJ.
I love the Diane Bish performance of this arrangement.
steckman99 I love the version that Dr. Steven Ball did on the boardwalk hall organ.
I totally agree. I prefer Ms Diane's performance of this arrangement.
Stunningly. Bravo molto
this organ in a full pipe organ. the deck he is playing on is the concert console. This is a preset selection of stops, selected by the organist before the recital, then electric console is then programmed to play the stops he selects from the unmovable organ console set in under the larger pipes at the back of the stage
Virgil....the best. Freakish in the degree of talent he possessed, he was both a classical genius and a rock and roller. Can't get better than that in my opinion.
The one and only Virgil!
If you think that's the fastest version of the Star-Spangled Banner, you never heard John Kiley, who was the organist at Fenway Park and Boston Garden. He played it like the keyboard was about to catch fire.
@pipeup1 But an organ is not a little piano or a tin tin guitar. It is the Emperor of all musical instruments (one man orchestra). You are not an organ fan nor will you understand the shake and vibration it produces within oneself with the single hit of a note. No rock (heavy metal) could match to a redention of Bach on an organ.
Organist are cool and crazy, gotta love his style.
Virgil fox and Diana Bish are great great organist .....
I love this version of the Star Spangled Banner! Does anyone know where I can get this arangment?
he's got some really fast hands just watch him from 00:30-00:40 thats some good playing!
What grit! I'm fascinated by all his executions.
Virgil Rules!!!!
This is a serious piece for powerful organ. Makes me wish a recording existed of Al Melgard playing it at the Chicago Stadium, a la the famous (possibly true) story about that song played by him on that organ. Though that might beat this in intensity, no one plays like Fox.
私36年前、このコンサートの現場に居ました。素晴しい演奏の後のアンコールの最後の曲でした。あの時の感動が又、甦ってきました。アップして頂いて本当に有難うございました。
takahiro yazawa no one can read that crap
I think its the one at Shanghai's new center of something Arts. Virgil is playing it from the remote console, I believe
Awesome
Supposedly, Al Melgard was a temp hired after Barton's provided organist moved on. One day, a fight broke out due to an unpopular decision after a boxing match, and it quickly ran out-of-control. Melgard put on full organ, threw open all the expression, and played that National Anthem. The sheer power not only stopped the fight, but blew out windows and shattered light bulbs all over the building. It's said that this happening gained him his permanent position there. No idea if it's true.
I believe this is the instrument at the NHK Auditorium in Japan, however I would not take that to the bank, I believe it is also digital, which explains the 'arcade' stops.
well that was how he played I read on wikipedia, it is what is called the heavy organ style and was known to reinterperate songs, it also says he was homosexual, but i think he is more known for his music.
That Virgil Fox! What a showman! If you cannot like this for what it is, you must be dead, inside.
großartiger Vortrag1 petersen
actually, he came out of a small farm outside of Chicago. Look it up, he's not from NJ.
What a wonderful manner and artist. Don't think I have ever seen anyone so talented on the Organ. Sad loss! bet America must be proud.
Thank you Oronoco! I sincerely appreciate your defense of me.
make no mistake about it, the fox IS king!!!
As a beginner organ student with a book of his arrangements and reading the score- wow… I uh… I don’t know how he played it this fast accurately 😂😂😂
it is rough, and that is the reason why it is very, very beautifull, it is virgil ;)
@bradhorn14 As others have said, he would most certainly have played more traditionally were he backing up singing. But Fox was a showman, and usually deviated from what the composers probably intended, which is a cardinal sin in the organ world; the serious, oldschool organists feel that to play any way besides slowly, carefully, reverently and exactly as written is a slap to organ, music and composer. I think the world has room for one or two showmen.
Jonas:
Which Al Melgard story?
Regards,
Scott Noris
@repoman150 i find it interesting when someone plays the most patriotic work of our country in a way that doesnt sound like a funeral durge, someone make a joke about it...
If we can learn anything from all the comments, it's that everybody has their own conceptions of proper tempo, registration and above all, taste.
If we can learn anything from the history of music, EVERY innovation ('deviation of the norm'), from tempo to costuming has been criticized as 'bad taste' and disrespectful to the artform by those claiming to be purists who speak for everyone in the field.
'He played it faster- horrors!' Get real- at least he didn't moon the audience.
@koroush7 Of course, the organ is an amazing instrument, but its just that, an instrument. The music played on it is a differant matter. If you sit down to play a Bach prelude and fugue it must be done properly. But alls I'm saying is that you can have plenty of fun on the organ too! Check out Carlo Curley to see what i mean.
Thank you OronocoJDL for helping me and defending me :)
Jeeze, lighten up!!! Anyway, playing the National Anthem is always serious!!
is this the correct speed? It really looks too fast.
It's his arrangement.
@@WelshHomo87 yes i know. but the video looks sped up.
NHK Hall organ in Japan.
Some people have said that Virgil Fox had no taste, despite his prodigious technique. With enthusiasm like this, who's bothered about whether it's in good taste?!
Superb.
of musical arts, I think, or I may be thinking of somewhere else
It is a real pipe organ in Japan
@PsanterShelZahav - I am not sure where you are from, but these United States of America introduced a form of government to the world that was still mired in kings and feudalism. This government of the people by the people for the people is much imitated, never duplicated. If you are in a country who can choose their leaders by voting instead of a military coup, then say thank you USA!!!!
Wy did he not use a real pipe organ ?
I corrected the speed to 0.75
Not sure if it's the fault of how the video was uploaded or converted or if this is just his style but this seems to be played too fast.
I agree with you.........the piece looses it majesty with such a flippant fast tempo. You'll have to excuse this "show" organist. It's always more about the show than the musicality.
Not to be rude, but this is much closer to the original tempo rather than the slowed down, "Pop-ified" tempo we listen to today.
mabey I should, but oh well, I'm more of a pianist anyway! ^_^
Too fast but good.
Too fast
Deal with it and suck it up!!!
@@DJDevvin It's a good tempo for a circus though.
...are you saying that the country-of-origin of those who were on the moon landing missions involved their religion somehow? A Muslim could indeed have been on the mission, though there weren't any. Chinese, Russian Americans, not really, we were pretty Caucasian-centric then and some of the powers-that-be would have been paranoid about that. I'm just sayin', you named two ethnicities and one religion.
One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong...
So, you're calling arguably the greatest organist of all time an idiot? Are you in a position to determine that? Let's see your original rendition of your country's national anthem.
Do you think he could play any faster? It's that national anthem. No rush. But I do love this arrangement. Diane Bish performed this much better.
I thought the national anthem was a march?
This is the best
not true...this is a full pipe organ
too fast dude
Tim Daugherty play it at 0.75
God bless you jgraif,I suggest you haven`t heard many of the great Organists who would teach this guy a thing or two. Come to Australia and really hear some great Organists. One of the worlds greatest Organists John Nicholls has unfortunately passed on now. When you win all the Organists prizes in the English competitions you are really something. Its a pity he is not immortal.
i am a trained organist and i have heard ALL of the "great" organists. virgil played all of his Peabody graduation recitals from memory. no one had ever done that before.
@luszauer load of rubbish! we can be serious but also have fun! anyway, he's giving a concert its not a church.
Its just a musical instrument! You can mess around on a guitar or piano so whats the problem with an organ? Don't worship the thing!!
This makes the Hendrix version seem boring.
Too Allegro, not enough moderato.
I can play the star spangled banner faster then this
I can see why the US is in such a State, when people praise someone like this, so ignorant.
Typical american nationalism. The whole world is laughing about America and it seems as if only the Americans don't notice this.
What reason should Amerca have to be proud???
Way too fast, uncontrolled
Deal with it and suck it up!!!
Well your comment did make me laugh, greatest organist!!! its like saying Liberace was the greatest pianist of all time, such ignorance, typical bs from the States