York Minster's Grand Organ - Toccata (Symphony for Organ No 5) Charles-Marie Widor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2022
- To celebrate the return of York Minster’s Grand Organ following its £2m, once-in-a-century refurbishment, Assistant Director of Music Benjamin Morris looks back at the current instrument’s history, its role at the heart of worship at the cathedral and performs an iconic piece from the organ’s past - Toccata (Symphony for Organ No 5) Charles-Marie Widor.
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I chose this pice to be played as I walked out of church with my beautiful wife, and we are still together after 46 years and I love her mor now than ever before!
Finally! An organist who plays the opening measures (before the pedal enters) the way they were articulated by Widor! He continues to follow Widor's instructions throughout till the end. In my opinion, there is not a better, more authentic performance of this ground-breaking piece on TH-cam. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
There are a few other eminent players that are of a similar standard. This is excellent but not by any means unique.
Absolutely ❤
One top flight rendention is by Katelyn Emerson...and the one from the
1920s by the Composer himself, all found currently on U Tub.
Another Great Performance is played on the organ in the chapel of St Stanislaus Institution by Janez Rus in December 2011. The mentor was doc. Dalibor Miklavči
And Posted under the Channel.....
janezrus8
Marc...there are numerous factors involved here. Player, instrument, building acoustics, mood, etc...
No piece of music is ever performed in exactly the same manner each time it is executed. Lest we not forget also the hours and hours of discussions on interpretation that surround these performances. Jeanne Demessieux is said to have played the definitive rendition at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. But again, it is purely subjective. I agree that we do have a winner here!
LOVELY, however not a favorite of this particular piece of beautiful music.
Played as the postlude at both my mother and fathers funerals. The promise of Eternal Life cannot be reflected more in a piece of music. Magnificent.
The pipe organ is truly one of the most beautiful and powerful instruments in history!
The pipe organ is the nearest instrument to the human voice!
@@rogerneal6329
That's a fascinating way of looking at it!
Well those music lessons paid off
I heard Benjamin Morris play this toccata at the York Minster Easter Evensong this year and it was magnificent. This recording is just the same. Beautifully played, beautiful tempo, beautiful acoustic. This is now my favourite recording, just surpassing the Scott Brothers Cavaille-Coll Manchester performance. Bravo Benjamin.
What a privilige it must be to play this magnificent instrument, it sounds even better than before. York Minster and her organ is a must see, what a magnificent place.
I agree- I have had the pleasure of visiting the Minster and even playing the absolute beast of an organ! It sounds incredible and fills the building very well.
@@at0mcollision We've visited the York Minster in 2007 and while taking in the all inspiring grandure someone played the organ very gentle and soft and despite the recognision of the piece then played, I still can't name it, but is was awe inspiring.
Hopefully we'll be able to visit again and be lucky enough that the voice of the organ reaches out again.
@@pst3615 the York organ has a massive dynamic range- the echo dulciana on the solo is almost inaudible with the box shut, but on the other hand it has what's probably one of the loudest organ stops in the world!
@@at0mcollision Just listen to this, a small town organ with back then a very promissing young man who has earned his name in the ranks.
Originally a York boy but have been living overseas for the last 50 years. After hearing this the tears flowed and I want to come home so badly. Thank you so much for this piece, please make me more homesick, please,please,please.
I am sure you will do one day.
@@johnyates2157 Thank you John I am wishing for it.
your wish has been granted
Then get on a plane, Leeds Bradford is probably your nearest airport lol
I would put you up I live in the east Midlands .
Thank You for not rushing this Magnificent Toccata and playing it perfectly, as it was intended to be played!! Triumphant, yet sedate. Congratulations on a flawless performance 🙏🕊✝️🕊🛐🕊🙏
Amazing!!!!!! Absolutely fabulous job rendered here, THANK YOU!
I once heard this played in Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. The organist had been requested to 'give it some welly', he did, he gave it 'rock all' - I am amazed the cathedral is still standing!
@@davidllewelyndavies2724 Widor wrote these stunning footnotes on the pedal board for a reason, to add the thunder to back the incredible piece. Nothing annoys me more than listening to the many organists who do not take full advantage of using them as they were intended, thereby significantly downgrading this inexplicably magnificent piece 🙏🕊✝️🕊🛐🕊🙏
You are so right-organists rush this to be competitive-it is meant to be enjoyed -not rushed!!!!!
Pat and I had this piece played at our wedding in July 1982 at St Peter's, Derby.
Excuse me while I have a little cry: the emotion has got to me!!🎶🥰
Спасибо за искренность! Вы- счастливый человек! Самые добрые пожелания вашей семье!
Beautifully played, and at the perfect tempo for the Minster acoustic!
It’s, in my opinion the tempo for eternity and everywhere
So many times I've heard this piece played at a speed that neither the instrument or acoustics could sustain; this was played at an optimum speed. Well done.
Yes perfect. Listen that guy at Christ Cathedral is California play it. It's terrible, way to fast.
Simply superb. What an instrument and what an organist. Finding these gems makes my day. Thank you.
Totally astonishing and wonderful lifting our hearts to God almighty
The acid test that only the best of the best organists can pass is playing the Widor Taccata at the right tempo. This organist played this piece at the right tempo.
He also correctly observes the dynamics.
This wonderful composition is too often performed TOO fast and TOO loud.
fully agreed
🥲 💙 This piece was the postlude at my cousin's funeral. The organist loved him. The organ was a huge tracker. It was Glorious! Thank you. 🎉 🥲
We at Christ Church Episcopal in Savannah are delighted to have Harrison & Harrison, the builder of the York Minster organ, build an entirely new edition of our existing H &H instrument for delivery in 2026. This will be the church’s Tricentennial Organ, and Harrison & Harrison’s third organ built in the US. Our music director, the respected and esteemed George Fergus, formerly of The National Cathedral in Washington, DC, is at the helm of this wonderful project. What a pleasure to hear such a great rendition of the Widor Toccata on this amazing organ!
You are fortunate indeed - a bounty of riches! Is there a way to keep abreast of the build of the new organ at Christ Church?
@@YorkMinsterOfficial the Vestry will be signing a contract with Harrison & Harrison this week. I will forward your inquiry to George Fergus, our music director and organist. He can provide a better answer than I can. Thank you so much for being as excited as we are!
I love the echo at the end when he is finished......it touchs my soul. We had this played at out wedding 20 years ago , however our church organist got sick and the only other one available was the organist from the funeral home that our minister knew. He did a sterlung job, and also commented that it was lovely to play at a wedding for a change!!!.
Blimey!! That was amazing! And from memory too!!!
Finally! An organist who plays the piece with, not only brilliant musicianship but, a thorough of understanding of Widor's intentions. This is super!
Ok, it's not a French Cavaillé-Coll organ (on which IMHO it sounds best, just because of the reeds) but it's completely at home in this swirling acoustic. Bravo Mr Morris for such excellent and sensitive playing of a wonderful piece, brilliant registrations and fantastically judged tempi, so often abused by organists world wide. Thank you!
Well he's had more time with it.
@@rowanlidbury Pardon? More time with what?
on this organ it is movingly majestuous ! (IMHO)
100% agree. Fantastic interpretation, the articulation in the coda is particularly effective and really draws attention to something new happening when most other organists are just going through the motions at that point. English organs are a bit like German organs when it comes to French music, the mixtures are just a bit too metallic and bright and although the English reeds are a bit more fiery, they just don't have the brutal roar of the Appel d'anche where everything comes out. Cavaille-coll organs are something else entirely. Even though he played around with fourniture/cymbale vs a single Plein jeu, there is always a beauty and a delicacy to the sound. The montres are robust but still with that breathy "flutey" quality and he often reused old Cliquot reed pipes which gives some real fire. You can't beat music played on the instruments for which it was written!
If you're after a French Cavaillé-Coll organ version, there's an excellent one of Jonathan Scott playing it on the organ of Manchester Town Hall
One of my favourite pieces of music for the organ. This is probably one of the loveliest and best interpretations of this iconic piece by Widor that I’ve heard. It’s a beautiful fresh sound enhanced greatly by the splendid acoustic in the Minister.
THAT WAS BREATHTAKING .. what a talented man. So wish I had been sat in the cathedral when he was playing that. I could sit there all day why he played Brilliant.
Absolute perfection! Would love to hear this piece in-person to feel the power of those 32 foot pipes!
I was able to feel similar 32 foot pipes in Tampere Cathedral when this masterpiece was performed. One really should be available instead of listening this via computer headphones. My body was shaking almost during those pipes on.
The equally impressive instrument at Hereford Cathedral allows you to stand next to its 32ft pedal reeds and I made a great recording on my mini disc (old technology but very capable) of Roy Massey playing the Widor 5 for a wedding. The addition of these reeds at the conclusion of the toccata is absolutely fabulous and although lacking a little finesse gives a truly up close and personal experience of these acoustic wonders in action and providing the bassus profundi like nothing else.
I have been at York Minster when this piece was played. One's internal organs vibrate in harmony with some notes. There are harmonics that seem to be subsonic, and the neural reaction of one's whole body sends delicious shivers from the centre of the back out to the neck, arms and legs. I felt like I was *inside* the music as well as the brain of the composer. My pancreas did a delighted little gavotte on my liver . . . . afterward, I and several other people wafted out of the building looking like we'd just had a good trip on psychedelics. . . . . .
What a splendid rendition of Widor’s Toccata.
...or even Toccata😏
@@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311 fixed it.
In the late 1970's I visited York on a British Rail Special excursion from Bristol. £3 student rate. I walked into the Minster and the Widor Toccata was being played just as I entered. It filled the whole of the church. It made my first trip to York so memorable. I am so pleased to find this video. Many thanks. (PS, The Organ is not as good as our Willis here at Truro but as a true full blooded Cornishman, born and bred, I bound by blood to sat that. Yorkies should understand the Sentiment)
You do know that the organ was built in London at the New Rotunda works of Henry Willis and sons don't you? The work was destroyed in the blitz of I think 1941 or 1942. True London craftsmen lol later on Willis's settled in Petersfield in Hampshire until going to the wall in the mid 1990's. The Willis name was taken over and a firm in Liverpool started using the name ( Willis's did have a shop in Liverpool as well to work on the Anglican Cathedral organ, but I don't know when it closed.
This piece and Zadoc the Priest send shivers down my spine every time I hear them.
ZadoK.
The organ part in Zadok is less taxing than the Widor !
Me too.
First I fell in love with classical music, now the Organ. They really are amazing instruments....I really don't have words to properly describe the beauty of It❤🔥
The minster is not only blessed with this iconic instrument, but also with its incredible musicians, Ben & Robert. I’ve met both - perfect gentlemen. Thank you Ben for this stunning performance. Lovely to hear it played as Widor intended and not at break neck speed.
After all it's not meant to be a race to the finish, is it?
right...I've seen/heard it played at 'breakneck speed'. it ABSOLUTELY RUINS IT. There IS a clip of Widor himself playing it (mistakes and all, bless his heart) and he does it rather slowly.
Quite the finest version I have heard - what a tempo and what skill in the set up for the foot notes that are so important in this remarkable piece
This is the best version of this incredible piece of music on TH-cam IMHO. Magnificent perfection as it was meant to be played. No blurring of notes by playing to fast. Total clarity of sound. Thank you so much. James.
This gives me chills. This young man is truly gifted.
And practices a lot.
As an 8 year old chorister in Shrewsbury, I heard our choirmaster John Sykes play this piece occasionally after Eucharist from 1968. Until viewing this video I didn’t realise it was “trendy”, being showcased only in 1961. I watched in the organ loft as John worked a lot more frantically. I was waiting for my lift home.
He was pretty good in Whitesnake too.
Love this - so glad I can listen & watch on you tube ❗️
Love it! Had this played at my wedding walking my new wife down the aisle. Impressive piece played beautifully.
Iv'e been to York Minster and heard this magnificent instrument live, every bone in your body feels it.
Same here at my wedding in 1977.
It is simply an impressive instrument, wonderfully housed in one of the grandest of English cathedrals. Great interpretation of Benjamin Morris.
I love this guy -he knows his stuff!
It must be difficult to master the acoustics of the Minster, but it’s a joy to hear so much detail. Masterly played on an instrument placed all over.
Brilliant, had it played at my wedding, brings tears to my eyes.
When my family and I visited England (May 2022), the organ just so happened to be undergoing its once a century service! What a shame! However, my organ professor, Dr. Thomas Marshall, told me he once got the opportunity to play that incredible looking instrument. Maybe one day I’ll get to do the same!
EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT!!!! A true piece of heaven! I was so emotionally moved to the core of my being. Can't get enough. The videography, editing, and drone work were superb and wonderfully transcendent. Thank you ever so much for making my day. I shall endeavor to listen when I need it most! Cheers,
I love the York Minster. I have a picture of me standing beside those big 32’ pipes! Thank you for this video. Cheers from Canada.
In one sentence, Widor's toccata played perfectly. Cheers and thanks for sharing on TH-cam.
Absolutely magic❤❤❤. Growing up in the Anglican Church in S. West, Cape Town, I remember our organist playing this exactly as it is being played here. I used to sit paralysed until the last note died away. I was in my early teens and this one was my all time favourite along with Jeremiah Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary * (as I was corrected 😏) ❤
Or Jeremiah Clarke, even....🧐😎🙂
What a fitting piece of music to match our majestic york minster.
Beautiful.
Stolen Catholic Church.
The Toccata was played as the postlude for my Final Religious Procession. Just glorious!
The rebuild of the Minster instrument; the removal of decades of grubble work and changes to suit a taste of the time is met with many smiles and joy here. What a glory it is now. What fine job playing it too!
Magnificent! One tires of "Anything you can play, I can play faster". This is a really stirring rendering.
At Sedbergh school during the 70's this was always played when leaving Sunday chapel before going home at the end of term. Shivers down the spine because we were going home and great music of course.
Always a thrill to hear this piece! Would live to hear it in person!
Perfectly played at the correct tempo - brilliant! Had this played at our wedding in 1980 as we walked out of the church
Beautifully played-thoroughly enjoyed! 🇨🇦
The recessional music for mine and my husband's wedding. Happy memories ❤
Our's too in 1974!
I've always have loved organ music its just so beautiful
Speechless, bought me to tears.
I'm *so* glad Mr. Morris plays this work at or near to the *original* tempo that Charles Marie Widor wanted (you can watch and hear Mr. Widor himself play his work also on youtube, believe it or not) ahem. I choral concert- toured here from the US, waaay back in 1975, and I was initially so disappointed that it wasn't Westminster... until I sang in and saw this impressive edifice. What incredible acoustics, and they provide a wonderful chamber from which this organ speaks, as Mr. Morris speaks to the beauty, dignity, and grandeur of this work. Thank You
By FAR the best interpretation of the piece! Perfect tempo, perfect registration!
A friend of mine had to play this for a wedding. Being short of time, she practised only the first couple of minutes, knowing that the bridal party would be out of church by then.
But it was raining, so everyone came back in!
I had the pleasure of singing at York Minster in 1959 as a visiting choir marvelous experience
Perfect tempo, excellent registration, and a marvelous performance!!! Bravo!!
They are gorgeous, the Cathedral and the organ, and Ben's rendition Is perfect!
Oh, this is so wonderful! I remember hearing this when the Duke and Duchess of Kent's wedding was televised, in 1961. I was a nipper then but this piece has stayed with me throughout my life. I've heard many renderingsgs of it, and many organists play it, but this is the first time, since that wedding in 1961, that I have heard it again, in all it's beauty and grandeur . Thank you for posting this.
I first heard it played at Princess Margaret's wedding. My Father was an organist.
The King of Instruments
SUPERB - and the perfect tempo! The Minster Organ has never sounded better: bravo, Benjamin!
To me Benjamin Morris and people like him who can play a pipe organ this well are magicians! To make both hands and both feet all do something different at the same time is mind-boggling. It took me years to learn to play the guitar well and that's only two hands. Amazing! Beautiful!
The final of widor 5 isn't by any means the most technically demanding either. It is simple chordal arpeggios with a slow theme in the pedal.
as a former organist (I haven´t had the opportunity to play for many years as I live in Spain) you are absolutely right. To have all four limbs going at the same time, sometimes all in different directions is no mean feat. You also have to read not just two , but three staves of music.
@@yourenglishclasses But there are so many cathedrals in Spain, aren't there? It seems as though you'd have lots of opportunities to play. That's a shame.
@@JennyJeong425 Unfortunately there are no cathedrals anywhere near me. We do have tow parish churches though. I don´t know if they even have organs.......
@@praestant8 the majesty of the Toccata lies in its subtlety and restraint when it's played at the right tempo to match the reverberation of the building and the sound washes around and back - you get a totally immersive experience. When it's played fast it is exciting to hear but it's a totally different experience.
A wonderful performance using a beautiful instrument! I played this for the New York State School Music Association festival competition in 1967 and won. I was 15 then and I played it somewhat faster but have since learned what Widor's intentions were. Bravo.
Great sound and tempo... so many today play so quickly with impatience, it destroys the soul. Kia Ora from New Zealand. 💜💜
Beautiful sounding organ (biased as from York). Expertly played.
Hats off to an organist who plays from memory.
I love the tempo and the registration because I was able to all the different voices that make up this beautiful music.
Religions one contribution to Mankind.
Epic buildings for which grand organs were built for magnificent music to be written.
Benjamin Morris does Widor proud!
I heard this being performed at a wedding in York Minster. I was so impressed I went home and ordered the complete organ works of Bach. ... It took 5 hours to download!
Superb post, Benjamin. Lovely photography of the cathedral. Thank you.
This is the best content so far by miles! Please do more like this and take advantage of this magnificent instrument
Absolutely brilliant! The control and maturity displayed here is one for the history books! So good!!!
Benjamin! holy shit, I listen to organists playing this piece and they play it to show off how fast they can play... Brother, I would love to meet you.. I play guitar in a Rory Gallagher tribute band ( the most opposite music we could imagine.. ) but I've just listened to that performance six or seven times.. and man you rock!!
eight times, and it's getting better!
Pure dead brilliant, so it is! Fantastic!! Thank you.🙏
ANOTHER day in PARIDISE! Braveo. Magnificent. Thank you.🌹🌹🌹🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
I love this Toccata much more that that famous Bach's - but with this organ, it is really breathtaking. I had the feeling of light and being empowered. Thank you for this masterpiece.
BRAVO Benjamin ! and..... ala Widor Tempo, and from memory !!!!!!!!! Just Brilliant ! The Best THRILL RIDE - can only imagine the rush of excitement to execute this piece and on this Fabulous instrument ! Again , Bravo - magnificently played ! THANK YOU All the best, marcia
I was in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ, during Pope St John Paul II’s visit, and this was played as ‘exit’ music for His Holiness. He was totally blown away.
What a magnificent organ, a wonderful piece of music and an incredible organist.(incidentally loved the socks).
Beautiful on every level.
You really don't get too many of those to the pound..Magnificent !!!!!
Magnificent, wonderful. This is the best video of this piece to date on youtube. A masterpiece!
Absolutely amazing. The amount of work between fingers and feet never fails to impress.
The location , the music and the talent in the playing make this a very special experience. Thank you all involved.
It’s my favourite piece of music in my favourite Minster ❤
I've watched this video over 50 times now and it never gets old. Has to be my favorite pice on an organ hands down. Plus after listening to others I also have to say your cover is my favorite. Thanks for showing me such an amazing pice. Also I'd like to recognize that you played this without sheet music which shows your love for this song awesome feat good sir.
MAGNIFICENT ❤
I've been to York and visited the Minster, it's absolutely magnificent and the sound of the organ is beautiful beyond words. The organ was playing while I was there for short time it was beautiful beyond words. I would gladly go to a Sunday service just to hear the Organ and I am not a member of the Church of England.
Gorgeous sound, so beautifully played 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
What a great / grand organ and history. Thank you for this performance
An oft played, frequently butchered war horse played MAGNIFICENTLY and musically on this great instrument by an EXCELLENT organist.
😁❤🎶😪❤😁...Thank you 👍❤👌...Thank You Lord ✝️ for the Tears 😪 and Tingles ✝️...🙏❤✝️
Bravo!! 👏👏👏Beautiful organ, great music an brilliant organist👏👏
Great playing, by the way SNAZZY SOX
Ooooh so good enjoyed it immensely. Played so well with passion
Cette musique a été celle jouée pendant mon mariage, il y a 40 ans de cela, c'est trés émouvant....
Yes! Awesome!!! Thank you for recording and posting!!!!
Wow, that was brilliant,
Yes, yes, yes to all that about tempo and phrasing. This is also a really beautiful video of the amazing York Minster! Thanks.
Absolutelhy beatuifull and divine tto listen to played exactly at the.righr tempo to. Bring majesty and.pleasure.