This recording and photo is a true representation of this Challis. It is so sad that this marvelous sound is incarcerated in a museum! I remember playing this instrument in Challis's apartment in New York before Mr. Biggs took command. The thrill of producing these grand sounds are so exciting that I cannot say enough about this "master of the harpsichord". Mr Challis built for me, in 1972, just before he died a smaller instrument with a 16', 8', 4' on the lower manual and a "shared" 8 on the upper manual. Being a school teacher, I didn't have a great deal of wealth to have one of his great harpsichords but...because he was of a like mind with me, my 7 foot Challis will "rattle the windows". I will always be grateful that I had the good fortune to have had this genius as a friend.
I ALSO, CURIOUSLY, HEARD THIS JOHN CHALLIS INSTRUMENT IN HIS WORKSHOP IN LOWER MANHATTAN BEFORE IT WAS SHIPPED OUT. THE SOUND WAS EXTREMELY POWERFUL. BUT TASTES HAVE CHANGED BACK TO 18TH CENTURY SENSAILITIES AND I DON´T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO RETURN TO THE ALL ALUMINUM HARPSICHORD EVEN IF THEY WOULD STAY IN TUNE FOR A WHOLE YEAR.
I bet that still cost you a considerable amount of money. This instrument sounds lovely. I like the historically accurate instruments too but I imagine these are a lot easier to keep in tune.
Thank you for that account, Mr Peckham---we are in your debt. I discovered this "album" when a student (of art, not music) in the early 'sixties. Like Mr Holz I did not recall this track. In the early 'seventies I had the opportunity to speak to a couple of young men who had recently (?) recorded Miss Landowska; I wish I had picked their brains ! Mr Biggs is another iconoclast of the keyboard, and this is his most interesting foray, for me---I think.
I have been a full time organist church music director for 30 years due to this man....hours spent listening to him on organ and pedal harpsichord and for me his performances are the litmus test for playing bach...
I never expected to hear this -- one of my favourite organ pieces -- arranged for the harpsichord, one of my favourite instruments. How utterly delightful.
Most organists practiced on harpsichords. A pedal harpsichord was much more practical than paying people to work the bellows for hours while you practice and compose at all hours of the day and night. It doesn't need any arrangement. It can be played on either the pedal harpsichord or organ as is.
It is not as well known as it should be that John Challis used an anodized, honeycombed aluminum soundboard in his harpsichords. This is the reason that his instruments had such a powerful sound. Consult Wikipedia for further information.
This recording is actually from the album "Bach Organ Favorites, Volume 6" released by Columbia in '74. The album cover in the video is different, and applies to the other recordings on pedal harpsichord (like the Fantasy and Fugue, Toccata and Fugue, etc.)
So who cares if this is not on an authentic harpsichord, a harpsichord that the great Bach would have recognised? It's thunderingly good and, as one commentator put it, "...like driving a tank..." Great fun and entirely convincing!
"Bach wrote his Six Trio Sonatas to improve the pedal technique of his son Wilhelm Friedemann. The manuscript of Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue, which according to Albert Schweizer vanished in the mid-1800's, was apparently headed Cembalo e pedale, clearly indicating performance on the pedal-harpsichord. Jakob Adlung, in Musica Mechanica Organoedi (1768), describes clavichords and harpsichords with separate pedals like an organ pedal-board. Bach possessed three of these, and according to Forkel, Bach "liked to improvise on a two-manual clavier with pedal"." www.baroquemusic.org/pedalharpsichord.html
It was absolutely a real instrument Bach would have recognized. This was largely how organists could practice. Hiring people to work the bellows for hours while your practiced would be expensive and impractical.
Biggs also recorded a version of this piece on organ which, to my knowledge, has never been released on CD. It's a shame because, of all the recordings I have heard, Biggs's conception and execution is the best.
Just a pity that the final key-releases have been edited out - they're very much a part of the instrument's character, which also makes it the only one where one can hear the end of the performer 'holding the picture' after the musical sound has died away. Other than that, a magnificent performance.
To the person who set an ad at 7:55 just finishing the stresso of the descending scales at the beginning of the 3rd movement: please, do not do it, specially if the ad is about Whatsapp.
Unfortunately, the pedal harpsichord in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum IS NOT the one owned and used by E, Power Biggs! The link to the web page to verify this is as follows: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503668. The fate and location of Mr. Biggs's instrument are currently unknown.
there is a need of very fast feet to play it like that (3rd movement)...I like E.P-B. because he was very openminded for musical experiments like playing ragtimes on pedal harpsicord or his very old vinyl record playing on the four organs of the Freiburg cathedral creating quadrofonic effects today we would name it surround sound
Unique instrument and wonderful playing, but this is not one of Bach's more successful transcriptions. Vivaldi's original (RV 522) is gorgeous and so much more intimate, especially in the adagio.
well there is a huge difference between cembalo and piano the only similarity is that they are both keyboard-instruments no need for caps lock , i know what doppio builds
![J. S. Bach/Feinberg: Organ Concerto in A minor after Vivaldi, BWV 593 [Katsaris]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tq_uKEoEF1I/mqdefault.jpg)
This recording and photo is a true representation of this Challis. It is so sad that this marvelous sound is incarcerated in a museum! I remember playing this instrument in Challis's apartment in New York before Mr. Biggs took command. The thrill of producing these grand sounds are so exciting that I cannot say enough about this "master of the harpsichord". Mr Challis built for me, in 1972, just before he died a smaller instrument with a 16', 8', 4' on the lower manual and a "shared" 8 on the upper manual. Being a school teacher, I didn't have a great deal of wealth to have one of his great harpsichords but...because he was of a like mind with me, my 7 foot Challis will "rattle the windows". I will always be grateful that I had the good fortune to have had this genius as a friend.
Please tell us how you became friends !
I ALSO, CURIOUSLY, HEARD THIS JOHN CHALLIS INSTRUMENT IN HIS WORKSHOP IN LOWER MANHATTAN BEFORE IT WAS SHIPPED OUT.
THE SOUND WAS EXTREMELY POWERFUL.
BUT TASTES HAVE CHANGED BACK TO 18TH CENTURY SENSAILITIES AND I DON´T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO RETURN TO THE ALL ALUMINUM HARPSICHORD EVEN IF THEY WOULD STAY IN TUNE FOR A WHOLE YEAR.
I bet that still cost you a considerable amount of money. This instrument sounds lovely. I like the historically accurate instruments too but I imagine these are a lot easier to keep in tune.
Wonderful! Thank you.
Thank you for that account, Mr Peckham---we are in your debt. I discovered this "album" when a student (of art, not music) in the early 'sixties. Like Mr Holz I did not recall this track.
In the early 'seventies I had the opportunity to speak to a couple of young men who had recently (?) recorded Miss Landowska; I wish I had picked their brains ! Mr Biggs is another iconoclast of the keyboard, and this is his most interesting foray, for me---I think.
Magnificent !…………… Biggs was a Giant.......we lost a Great one when he passed on .
0:00 Allegro
3:59 Adagio
7:40 Allegro
This is not an harpsichord, it's assault tank... but I love it!
Musical assault tanks are the best assault tanks. Long live #assaulttankmusic.
jajajajajajaja, yes.... but amazing.
The Nyiregyhazi of harpshicords ...
Microphones too close on strings. It's an innatural sound take. Date of recording?
LOL !
That harpsichord has a deep harmonic spectrum. Superb!
By far the most powerful rendition I've heard of this great piece!
I grew up with my Dad's Biggs recording. So nice to rediscover and realize how righteous his playing was. Just rock solid and imminently satisfying..
I MISS this man... and his BEAUTIFUL playing....
I have been a full time organist church music director for 30 years due to this man....hours spent listening to him on organ and pedal harpsichord and for me his performances are the litmus test for playing bach...
@@bachdon He was my inspiration as an organist as well... even to this day!
@@bachdon you are simply AMAZING.... just WOW!!!!
Glorious Vivaldi in ringing tones of an awesome harpsichord - it doesn't get any better
I loved listening to this record when I was in high school.
This is the best piece I’ve ever heard. I’m so glad to have it again, since I only borrowed the vinyl once.
I never expected to hear this -- one of my favourite organ pieces -- arranged for the harpsichord, one of my favourite instruments. How utterly delightful.
Most organists practiced on harpsichords. A pedal harpsichord was much more practical than paying people to work the bellows for hours while you practice and compose at all hours of the day and night.
It doesn't need any arrangement. It can be played on either the pedal harpsichord or organ as is.
True, Bach also probably had a Pedal clavichord as well.
@@user-uu5ff8ch7h Not a probability, Pedal Harpsichord has been registered as one of many Harpsichords in Bach possession after his death.
I listen to this everyday
Merci infiniment M Power Biggs pour l'infini pureté de votre jeu qui donne naissance à l'envol de mon Ange.
Great piece!
I bought this album new. Glad to see someone sharing it. Didn't remember this track; have to listen to it in it's entirety again.
I bought the vinyl 33 rpm in 1966 or so. Didn't know there were other sets with this cover.
The Challis Harpsichord is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art instrument collection.
I love this Harpsichord
It is not as well known as it should be that John Challis used an anodized, honeycombed aluminum soundboard in his harpsichords. This is the reason that his instruments had such a powerful sound. Consult Wikipedia for further information.
QUE INTERPRETE TAN FENOMENAL!!
Este hombre fue simplemente grandioso; Vivaldi se hubiera emocionado con esta interpretación.
Both allegros should be played at ×1.25 speed. It captures the aggressive nature of Vivaldi's concertos.
Brother John, I just found this and subscribed. Thanks for such a clean job digitizing. 🎹 🌹
Awesome!
Wonderful!!
I love pedal Harpsichords their so powerful!
Wonderful!
This recording is actually from the album "Bach Organ Favorites, Volume 6" released by Columbia in '74. The album cover in the video is different, and applies to the other recordings on pedal harpsichord (like the Fantasy and Fugue, Toccata and Fugue, etc.)
the best I've ever heard. thank you
Màs que un concierto para órgano,es un concierto para clave: Y ¡QUÊ CLAVE! Impresionante.Excelente.
The 3rd movement is some true head-banging music. who else agrees?
agree, it's totally awesome CRANKED
Brutal! And I mean that in a good way :)
God bless your LP RIP.
PERFECTION
So who cares if this is not on an authentic harpsichord, a harpsichord that the great Bach would have recognised? It's thunderingly good and, as one commentator put it, "...like driving a tank..." Great fun and entirely convincing!
Speaking of thunder, on 2:15 one can clearly hear AC/DC's Thunderstruck, subconscious runs deep...
"Bach wrote his Six Trio Sonatas to improve the pedal technique of his son Wilhelm Friedemann. The manuscript of Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue, which according to Albert Schweizer vanished in the mid-1800's, was apparently headed Cembalo e pedale, clearly indicating performance on the pedal-harpsichord. Jakob Adlung, in Musica Mechanica Organoedi (1768), describes clavichords and harpsichords with separate pedals like an organ pedal-board. Bach possessed three of these, and according to Forkel, Bach "liked to improvise on a two-manual clavier with pedal"."
www.baroquemusic.org/pedalharpsichord.html
It was absolutely a real instrument Bach would have recognized. This was largely how organists could practice. Hiring people to work the bellows for hours while your practiced would be expensive and impractical.
Biggs also recorded a version of this piece on organ which, to my knowledge, has never been released on CD. It's a shame because, of all the recordings I have heard, Biggs's conception and execution is the best.
I have Bigg's organ recording of this. It's on Sony Essentials. But this version, here, is still not available in any digital format....
Excellant
Bravo bravo bravo .. bravo
Just a pity that the final key-releases have been edited out - they're very much a part of the instrument's character, which also makes it the only one where one can hear the end of the performer 'holding the picture' after the musical sound has died away. Other than that, a magnificent performance.
Have you a version of what you speak of?
I wish Biggs had recorded ALL of Bach's keyboard music on this instrument
this is heavy metal..
I agree completely.
To the person who set an ad at 7:55 just finishing the stresso of the descending scales at the beginning of the 3rd movement: please, do not do it, specially if the ad is about Whatsapp.
Unfortunately, the pedal harpsichord in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum IS NOT the one owned and used by E, Power Biggs! The link to the web page to verify this is as follows: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503668. The fate and location of Mr. Biggs's instrument are currently unknown.
Mr Bigg used a copy of that instrument
Sounds fantastic on the pedal harpsichord
👏🏻
Ya se q quiero para navidad... Esto! Me voy a regalar esta belleza :)
Ojalá y un luthier actualmente hiciera este tipo de obras maestras.
I always wondered if such thing existed...and what bwv593 would sound like on it.
Nice.
wauw
This is authentic Vivaldi !
Bach knew how to compose in any style
there is a need of very fast feet to play it like that (3rd movement)...I like E.P-B. because he was very openminded for musical experiments like playing ragtimes on pedal harpsicord or his very old vinyl record playing on the four organs of the Freiburg cathedral creating quadrofonic effects today we would name it surround sound
What kind of Harpsichord is this? Modern harpsichords sound like harps. This one Rocks, it's loud.
cool info, thnx..
***** yes, you are right...but this sounds wonderful...
the beast is possibly blasting the heck out of the mics and tube preamps tasked with capturing it too
Biggs wanted to make damn sure you HEARD this machine.
Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
apex of human civilization and the human spirit
I prefer this Vivaldi-Bach transcription on organ.
Unique instrument and wonderful playing, but this is not one of Bach's more successful transcriptions. Vivaldi's original (RV 522) is gorgeous and so much more intimate, especially in the adagio.
this sound is too barock to be true
Barok ´n Roll baby!
+Sammy Ramdani What did you expect...heavy metal, pop, drum and bass? ;-)
@Silenus you just don't get it, eh?
09:38 this sounds like a folia variation 🤔
10:47 here too
Is there any place in Italy you can dance this?
doppio does not make cembali with pedal only fortepianos, its a huge difference
Ahhhhhhhh...Biggs....
10:46 → 10:56 I think I have heard that somewhere else before?
Pet shop boys its a sin lol
It isn't surprsing that in his name is the word power.
DA PRIBUDET S NAMI SILA
Концерт ля минор Баха по Вивальди на клавесине.
ah yes, a stringed organ
well there is a huge difference between cembalo and piano
the only similarity is that they are both keyboard-instruments
no need for caps lock , i know what doppio builds
Pity...
It makes a Chinese harp jealous.
Marvelous
Forge with fire so rich undertones and deep.
this harpsichord is loud
Anyone else getting monkey island vibes here?
I owned a harpsichord. Can't stand more the 10 minutes of it. This is far better on organ.