I worked for John Wanamakers in the 70’s.I worked in Toys,3rd floor teen fashions,and the main floor gifts and cards.My Coworker Susan Markovich use to get me to go up and watch the organist play.The giant pipes and organ scared me.They were huge.When the organist began playing in the morning that was our call to work.The cash registers all started ringing.
My father, a Captain in the US Merchant Marine, when in Port would come here to listen to this organ. This performance is wonderful and much appreciated. I to am a classical trained organist-chorale director. Thank you for this wonderful post.
It's just hard for me to imagine how you coordinate a brass choir, a choir, and this unbelievable instrument to work together. I believe I read that the delay in the organ is HUGE (at least for some of the ranks), and I guess you, as a conductor, and you as an organist, learn how to work it all out. I learned to play by ear, and although I read music now, I have played organs with even a light delay, which was totally confounding, because I wasn't hearing what I was playing.
I had the privilege to play this gorgeous organ in the summer of 1976, by chance invitation from the late Keith Chapman. Dr. Chapman told me before I played that I would not be hearing what I was playing, and to just pay attention to my hands. I played the Widor Vth Symphony toccata. I was at least a measure ahead of what was coming out of the organ at the time. I understand it's a bit more prompt now with the new solid state relays that have been installed.
If you look closely at the beginning of this video you can see Peter is watching a television screen over the top manual which has a live feed of the orchestra conductor from the balcony which is how they are able to keep in time.
This is nice, but it feels quite silly to use a brass ensemble. This is after all the largest pipe organ in the world. It's more than capable to fill the role on its own. There is a wonderful recording with the choir of Westminster Cathedral together with its marvellous Willis organ, where you don't miss the brass at all.
@Will Woodhouse. Given that it was written for he Coronation it was always meant to be sung by rather more than 12-16 singers! This is standard rep for English Cathedral Choirs & even at our smallest these tend to be 16 choristers & 6 men. The Coronation choir was made up of various royal foundation choirs plus choristers & lay clerks from all the cathedrals (I think) so quite some number.
Choristers should've been placed lower in the building so they weren't drown out by the organ. Sopranos sound terribly flat as a result. Articulation, cadence, and tempo were all over the place. The true majesty of this piece is achieved only with a proper choir of Gentlemen and Boys.
And with the VIVATS! Love it!
Jerusalem is builded, is builded as a city!
I was glad when they said unto me, "We will go into Macy's Department store".
Absolutely breathtaking. I would have given anything to witness this in person!
Me too! I would come from California just to attend Organ Day in person, so I've added this to page 1 of my bucket list. 😄
I worked for John Wanamakers in the 70’s.I worked in Toys,3rd floor teen fashions,and the main floor gifts and cards.My Coworker Susan Markovich use to get me to go up and watch the organist play.The giant pipes and organ scared me.They were huge.When the organist began playing in the morning that was our call to work.The cash registers all started ringing.
Reminds me of Her Late Majesty, QEII.
My father, a Captain in the US Merchant Marine, when in Port would come here to listen to this organ. This performance is wonderful and much appreciated. I to am a classical trained organist-chorale director. Thank you for this wonderful post.
I did not know Macys had a Pipe Organ ! , WOW, Magnificent Job !
World’s largest center city Philadelphia!
English majesty at its finest!!!
I like to think that "Vivats Regina" sung at any time would please Her Majesty - they certainly pleased me!... (brought a little tear to the eye :)
And myself as well.
This is hard song to sing my mom and I have song it twice. But when we sang it we where part of a choir of about 10000 singers.
Cold Chills!!!!!
that was totally amazing !!!
It's just hard for me to imagine how you coordinate a brass choir, a choir, and this unbelievable instrument to work together. I believe I read that the delay in the organ is HUGE (at least for some of the ranks), and I guess you, as a conductor, and you as an organist, learn how to work it all out. I learned to play by ear, and although I read music now, I have played organs with even a light delay, which was totally confounding, because I wasn't hearing what I was playing.
I had the privilege to play this gorgeous organ in the summer of 1976, by chance invitation from the late Keith Chapman. Dr. Chapman told me before I played that I would not be hearing what I was playing, and to just pay attention to my hands. I played the Widor Vth Symphony toccata. I was at least a measure ahead of what was coming out of the organ at the time. I understand it's a bit more prompt now with the new solid state relays that have been installed.
@@gmc0422 Interesting. Thanks for posting.
If you look closely at the beginning of this video you can see Peter is watching a television screen over the top manual which has a live feed of the orchestra conductor from the balcony which is how they are able to keep in time.
This is beautyful Music for my
I am quite sure Her Majesty wouldn't mind...just this once.
This is nice, but it feels quite silly to use a brass ensemble. This is after all the largest pipe organ in the world. It's more than capable to fill the role on its own. There is a wonderful recording with the choir of Westminster Cathedral together with its marvellous Willis organ, where you don't miss the brass at all.
@Will Woodhouse. Given that it was written for he Coronation it was always meant to be sung by rather more than 12-16 singers! This is standard rep for English Cathedral Choirs & even at our smallest these tend to be 16 choristers & 6 men. The Coronation choir was made up of various royal foundation choirs plus choristers & lay clerks from all the cathedrals (I think) so quite some number.
And plenteousness within thy department stores. (Is there a Macy's in Jerusalem?)
With the Vivats too!
Great recording, too bad the applause was cut off :-(
Choristers should've been placed lower in the building so they weren't drown out by the organ. Sopranos sound terribly flat as a result. Articulation, cadence, and tempo were all over the place. The true majesty of this piece is achieved only with a proper choir of Gentlemen and Boys.
hmm, too loud and shouty, should be sung by a coir of no more than 12-16 really, and dynamically it feels very 1 dimensional... all LOUD