I've had the pleasure on many occasions of watching Robert Wolfe playing live, at Thursford and at many other venues across the UK. Not only is he an amazing theatre organist (in my personal opinion the best), but he's a very nice and kind man too. Here's why: I play the organ myself (obviously not to his standard!). At one of Robert's concerts I spoke to him in the interval and asked him about a particular part of his technique, and how he achieves the effect that he gets (it's a sort of left hand waving sweep up the keys, used in slower pieces). Not only did he explain it to me, he walked me back to the organ with him and actually demonstrated it to me. I don't know how many artists would take the time to do that for a fan, but it meant a lot to me, and shows us all just what a class act he is. This was at Ashorne Hall in Warwickshire, on a Compton organ. I think the venue closed in 2004, so this was quite a while ago, when I was in my twenties.
I've played a few digital organs which can't deal with being played like this! This one is the real deal, still on it's workings from the early 1930s, and as you can see, it works like lightning!
As a kid, I remember seeing Robert Wolfe play a concert on the organ at a local church, I don't think that instrument has ever worked so hard in its life!
It's been several months since I last listened to this, and have listened to a lot of other great organists in the meantime, but Robert Wolfe and this instrument remain at the top of my most memorable viewing / listening experiences. I kindly thank those responsible for bringing it to us, and am thrilled each time I listen and watch. Mr. Wolfe has earned our great respect for his very impressive talent.
Ive seen this VERY talented guy play many times and not just at Thursford. I did see him in his early days at Thursford and that got me and my now late parents interested
That's absolutely insane! I witnessed Robert playing suitably railway-esque music on the Wurlitzer at Thursford years ago in front of a huge screen showing steam locomotives at speed. I can remember being utterly mesmerised. Guy's a genius.
It's thoroughly worth seeing this guy perform live at Thursford, Norfolk, England, if you're in the area over the summer. He usually goes crazy at least once per day...
I put this on for the Mrs as I got in bed last night for a quick 5 mins of comedy and when it finished I had a real crap nights sleep. This is awesome during the daytime
This is an absolute treat to watch,so whilst ive been playing my uke at the Wintergardens all these years,I probably could have had the chance to hear this fantastic musician on a legend of an organ.Brilliant stuff !
Cannock Chase Organ Club Toward the end of the final flourish I hear what sounds like glass breaking. Is that an effect produced by Mr. Wolfe at the organ? Just curious. Thanks, and my compliments!
Gene Kinnick the sound you describe at the end is the combination of all the reiterating percussions such as the glockenspiel and sleigh bells being turned on.
Thank you. It was difficult for me to discern on my poor sound system, but I knew I was hearing something very lovely, dazzling and complimentary at just the right moment. The talent of Mr. Wolfe coupled with this powerful instrument has been such a pleasure to watch and listen to! Thank you for bringing them to all of us.
Probably my single favorite organ performance ever recorded. I'm as tone deaf as a block of rotten wood, but if i ever learn how to play the piano/organ, this is how I'll do it. Fast, energetic, and showy! I adore performances where you can tell the musician is having a blast.
It is pure showmanship. Some here in the comments section have slated it, but it takes an enormous amount of energy to play like this, as well as keeping your timing, and still hitting keep things on track.
@@OrganMusicYT If they don't like it, they can go watch someone else! That's what I do if I don't like somebody's style. I hope the nasty comments (which will always show up given enough popularity) haven't discouraged Robert or anyone else involved in this channel.
Having seen Robert Wolfe live, I can concur that he really is probably the best there is when it comes to getting a Wurlitzer to dance. Such a talented musician
Have seen the Thursford Wurlitzer played. They did a Battle of Britain segment quite a few years ago now, with old film footage being played also. Marvellous stuff. It may have been him playing but I’m not sure
That is the awesome thing about theater organs, they can be made to sound like a piano, or just about any instrument in a band or orchestra! Also, all of the available sound effects, in these, when compared to a church pipe or electronic organ! I used to think that the only difference between church and theater organs was in how much (if any) unification there is, and whether it is pipes, oscillators, or analog or digital memory, but the main differences are whether you have special effects or not!
I saw him as a kid at the something collection in Norfolk, my parents always used to go there as part of our holidays. He's very talented and the show's really good. There's lots of old fair ground rides there too when he's not playing.
I think it's fair to say that his training at the Tower Ballroom went a long way to making Robert one of the all time greatest interpreters of this instrument. I don't think there is a single Blackpool organist who hasn't become a theatre organ virtuoso. They might be American built machines, but Blackpool UK is the Wurlitzer's spiritual home!
Love the organ. I only appreciated after working where there was organ concerts. I fell in love with the organ. But its bittersweet because ironically it changed my life, will see the out come later, but its a lot harder to promote something from afar, at least I still have pipe dreams on MPR and also pipe dreams in my heart.
9 ปีที่แล้ว +1
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Wurlitzer Wolfe!..." A remarkable talent!
absolutely Amazing to watch,I am so glad I came accross this vid,its inspired me to be a fan of the Amazing Wurlitzer sound.Wish my technics kn6500 sounded like that ! Would love to see him live and even join in with my uke.
***** Thankyou Andrew for that advice I will have a look at the back of my Technics Kn6500 for that 5 pin midi conection plug and if its there I will be on the hunt for that software you talk about which sounds awsome,thanks again kind regards Jonathan.
The organs pipes are installed in chambers. On the front of the chambers are shutters, big wooden slats arranged like vertical blinds. When the pedal is pushed forward gradually, the shutters open to let the sound out, the more they are open, the more sound gets out. There are two pedals for that on this organ, one for the main chamber, one for the solo chamber. The other two pedals, one is for the piano volume, and the other is for cresendo, the cresendo puts on more stops in a preset sequence.
This must be the result of having amazing muscle memory to be able to hop up and down those manuals like that! It's surprising that all those little old electric relays can still keep up with his playing without blowing a fuse or causing a valve to stick somewhere. Perhaps that's a testament to Bob Ince's loving maintenance. :-)
Some instruments with solid state relays, and digital instruments, lag when they are played like this! It's a great testament to Wurlitzers relays and workmanship, and, as you say, the maintenance it receives to keep it in such great condition.
I did wonder whether these organs have some sort of latency between the key being struck, and the pipe speaking. Some traditional pipe organs do don't they?
Like any mechanical instrument, there is some degree of latency as it takes time for relays to move and valves to open etc. However, an instrument on a good and well maintained Electro Pneumatic relay and action, everything happens like lightning and there is practically zero latency in the action and sound. What does affect you as a player is acoustical delay. If you are a distance from the pipes or cannot hear the organ directly, then it takes a little extra time for the sound to reach you at the keys.
Funny you should say that... I'm just playing about with the Miditzer using a MIDI keyboard and find I have that problem with the program's built-in reverb. It's sort-of like playing amplified on a stage, but without monitors.
Out of curiosity I searched for the world's "fastest" organist in TH-cam. At the top of the list I found was ....Robert Wolfe. There are some very famous organists who rival him, but I have found none other who can top him ....at least as far as I am aware. In any case, Mr. Wolfe is one of the best of the best, and I do enjoy watching and listening to his musical style.
You need to keep up with his speed playing, obviously watching him all the time, you'll adjust to how fast he can play and an organist must have a very good memory too
this man is totally awesome as an organist. ive never seen any one play so fast. I wish I could play like he does. alas I am a slow organist. and still takeing lessons.on the lowrey virtual orchestra . and will enter my 16th. year January 1st.
I've had the pleasure on many occasions of watching Robert Wolfe playing live, at Thursford and at many other venues across the UK.
Not only is he an amazing theatre organist (in my personal opinion the best), but he's a very nice and kind man too. Here's why:
I play the organ myself (obviously not to his standard!). At one of Robert's concerts I spoke to him in the interval and asked him about a particular part of his technique, and how he achieves the effect that he gets (it's a sort of left hand waving sweep up the keys, used in slower pieces). Not only did he explain it to me, he walked me back to the organ with him and actually demonstrated it to me. I don't know how many artists would take the time to do that for a fan, but it meant a lot to me, and shows us all just what a class act he is.
This was at Ashorne Hall in Warwickshire, on a Compton organ. I think the venue closed in 2004, so this was quite a while ago, when I was in my twenties.
hi ian he did the same with me some years ago he showed how everything worked even showed me in the chambers too
@@meepanderson3617 Wow, you were really lucky! That sounds fantastic.
At one point, I was expecting the organ either to explode, or to lift off the stage and go into orbit.
I've played a few digital organs which can't deal with being played like this!
This one is the real deal, still on it's workings from the early 1930s, and as you can see, it works like lightning!
As a kid, I remember seeing Robert Wolfe play a concert on the organ at a local church, I don't think that instrument has ever worked so hard in its life!
I initially started by studying for history, and some how ended up here..... Thankyou Internet.... Oh so very productive.....................
+Maraos What was the subject, if you can recall?
+epicdude61388 I think it was the Cold War
...and my wife thinks I'm wasting time on TH-cam...
So Fabulous I got here from Florrie Forde's "I Do Love To Be Beside The Seaside," in which I came from Queen's "Seven Seas Of Rhye."
Kevie Wevie lol -me, doggie off to the vet vids - my wo rld is getting stranger by the day , somehow organ music has become my new passion!
so that's what a human being can do, impressive
Fancy seeing you here.
He plays so fast that the camera shows a blurr. Incredible. Very entertaining.
Im surprised it didn't blow up.
камера просто мало фпс пишет, игра не так технически сложна, как кажется, переходы простые, любая полифония сложнее будет
Now imagine at the fastest point the phantom of the opera playing it and screaming "Keep up Christine!!! SING!!! FASTER....FASTER!!!"
Oh god😂
In the character of Walter Plinge.
I think half the pipes will be rusty after that performance.
Who said that organ music is sad & boring? This is amazing!
It's been several months since I last listened to this, and have listened to a lot of other great organists in the meantime, but Robert Wolfe and this instrument remain at the top of my most memorable viewing / listening experiences. I kindly thank those responsible for bringing it to us, and am thrilled each time I listen and watch. Mr. Wolfe has earned our great respect for his very impressive talent.
Gene Kinnick th-cam.com/video/0-ZerXm_xuU/w-d-xo.html - This one is even faster than this one!
Ive seen this VERY talented guy play many times and not just at Thursford. I did see him in his early days at Thursford and that got me and my now late parents interested
I was watching video's on RC cars doing sweet jumps and now
I am here, Once again well played internet....Well played.
I'm going to go look at RC cars doing sweet jumps. The internet giveth.
Remarkable work. I've seen organists switch keyboards before (Phil Kelsall is a master at it) but this gave me chills. Thanks for this post!
Amazing.The guy should have been a boxer.He would have had 50 shots on his opponent before the guy caught his first breath.
I`ve seen Robert do this many times-a wonderful artiste and a gentleman in every sense of the word
That's absolutely insane! I witnessed Robert playing suitably railway-esque music on the Wurlitzer at Thursford years ago in front of a huge screen showing steam locomotives at speed. I can remember being utterly mesmerised. Guy's a genius.
When you get nervous at a competition
Hugely impressive but the final chord is breath-taking!
Geez, now that was simply astonishing. Talk about out of this world sound and skill. Bravo!
I`ve seen/heard Robert many times-lovely fella and VERY talented too!
It's thoroughly worth seeing this guy perform live at Thursford, Norfolk, England, if you're in the area over the summer. He usually goes crazy at least once per day...
Whatever this guy earns, it isn't enough. Simply amazing
I put this on for the Mrs as I got in bed last night for a quick 5 mins of comedy and when it finished I had a real crap nights sleep. This is awesome during the daytime
This is an absolute treat to watch,so whilst ive been playing my uke at the Wintergardens all these years,I probably could have had the chance to hear this fantastic musician on a legend of an organ.Brilliant stuff !
it is just beautifull, grand, stunning, very entertaining. j'am french and it is woderfull composition !!!! musical madness marie christine
Great playing wonderful pieece and a happy player too. Thanks
Knowing a bit about the mechanics of these organs I`m just surprised that the instrument manages to keep up with the player! lol
It's on the original action too! We've known Allens to give up and stop working with waterfalling that has been nowhere near as fast as this.
Cannock Chase Organ Club
Toward the end of the final flourish I hear what sounds like glass breaking. Is that an effect produced by Mr. Wolfe at the organ? Just curious.
Thanks, and my compliments!
Gene Kinnick the sound you describe at the end is the combination of all the reiterating percussions such as the glockenspiel and sleigh bells being turned on.
Thank you. It was difficult for me to discern on my poor sound system, but I knew I was hearing something very lovely, dazzling and complimentary at just the right moment. The talent of Mr. Wolfe coupled with this powerful instrument has been such a pleasure to watch and listen to! Thank you for bringing them to all of us.
A tracker organ would die when played so violent, or your fingers would loose from the organ instead!
I saw the legend in real life at Penistone Paramount two years ago..his fingers are trueley bionic Hes got the passion.
Me trying to finish a assement due on the same day
HAHAHHAHAHA Good one
When my friend was waiting outside to play but I still had to finish my piano lesson before I could go out. 1:51
it is just beautifull, grand, stunning , very entertaining j'am french and it is wonderfull composition!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks!!
Absolutely the fastest organist i've seen!! Fantastically Excellent! ! !
Legends say you die when you watch this video in double speed
Challenge accepted
LOL
CHATO was never heard from again
Trying it now... Oh God it's coming after me
Just did... im still here
Probably my single favorite organ performance ever recorded. I'm as tone deaf as a block of rotten wood, but if i ever learn how to play the piano/organ, this is how I'll do it. Fast, energetic, and showy! I adore performances where you can tell the musician is having a blast.
It is pure showmanship. Some here in the comments section have slated it, but it takes an enormous amount of energy to play like this, as well as keeping your timing, and still hitting keep things on track.
@@OrganMusicYT If they don't like it, they can go watch someone else! That's what I do if I don't like somebody's style. I hope the nasty comments (which will always show up given enough popularity) haven't discouraged Robert or anyone else involved in this channel.
Now this is a cinema organ!
this video will never get old
Having seen Robert Wolfe live, I can concur that he really is probably the best there is when it comes to getting a Wurlitzer to dance. Such a talented musician
Wurlitzer .....simply amazing what it can do with the right player
Wow!! That's amazing and so fun to watch!
Stunning, just stunning
Calm down man! O-o That's BAD ASS!!!
Dude can shred on that organ! :)
He kind of puts most chainsaws to shame, that's for sure!
+Gene Kinnick One of wittiest
remarks EVER
on you tube!
On an organ it's called grinding
You're having way too much fun. Thanks for sharing.
Robert fantastic remember you at the tower as a wee laddie , great playing .
Pure brilliance ! I loved that , and he had to be so high on adrenaline till he was done with that too , very powerfully done indeed !
Absolutely fabulous performance (and recording!)
Holy moly! That man is a machine with blurred hands! Very damned impressive!
I've become enthralled 100% as well! I also love the American Foto-Piano Player for silent films.
Is it just me or is it that he kinda a looks like Jfk
I thought the same thing
Jeffrey Cho It's him! Organist for President! ;-)
Digital Numbers I swear I thought I was the only one
+Digital Numbers Yeah I think I know that guy I 360 noscoped the dude
Im glad to see Jfk has been picking up some talents in heaven.
That first foot glissando was marvelous , absolutely marvelous !
only robert :) what a muso and such a show man... way to go!
WOW! Never seen anything like it in my life!!
Just fabulous!
Someone needs to get out more! Wonderful finger work and I know that it only comes from practice, practice, practice. Wonderful.
he broke the sound barrier I'm sure of it
The speakers on my pc need replacing.
...I think I need to take a breather after listening to this. XD
This is quite amazing!! Great Job! It is like stride piano being played vertically! Fats Waller would definitely approve!!
It pretty much is as you describe!
Absolutely amazing!
He plays so fast that his hands nearly dissappear near the end when watching it in 144p.
Have seen the Thursford Wurlitzer played. They did a Battle of Britain segment quite a few years ago now, with old film footage being played also. Marvellous stuff. It may have been him playing but I’m not sure
That is the awesome thing about theater organs, they can be made to sound like a piano, or just about any instrument in a band or orchestra! Also, all of the available sound effects, in these, when compared to a church pipe or electronic organ! I used to think that the only difference between church and theater organs was in how much (if any) unification there is, and whether it is pipes, oscillators, or analog or digital memory, but the main differences are whether you have special effects or not!
I saw him as a kid at the something collection in Norfolk, my parents always used to go there as part of our holidays. He's very talented and the show's really good.
There's lots of old fair ground rides there too when he's not playing.
That would be the Thursford Collection, where this video was recorded. Robert still plays there!
+Cannock Chase Organ Club I remember his famous entrance was a stream train. I've got the VHS somewhere!
Yes, utterly fabulous. Well done.
I think it's fair to say that his training at the Tower Ballroom went a long way to making Robert one of the all time greatest interpreters of this instrument. I don't think there is a single Blackpool organist who hasn't become a theatre organ virtuoso. They might be American built machines, but Blackpool UK is the Wurlitzer's spiritual home!
Danum Festival
OH MY GOODNES. NOW THAT WAS A SHOW !!!!!! EXCELLENT !
O.O Bloody hell, he plays any faster, he's gonna start a fire! Well done.
Love the organ. I only appreciated after working where there was organ concerts. I fell in love with the organ. But its bittersweet because ironically it changed my life, will see the out come later, but its a lot harder to promote something from afar, at least I still have pipe dreams on MPR and also pipe dreams in my heart.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Wurlitzer Wolfe!..."
A remarkable talent!
This is off-the-scale-incredible! Any faster and the audience would have had to take to the blast shelter.
absolutely Amazing to watch,I am so glad I came accross this vid,its inspired me to be a fan of the Amazing Wurlitzer sound.Wish my technics kn6500 sounded like that ! Would love to see him live and even join in with my uke.
***** Thankyou Andrew for that advice I will have a look at the back of my Technics Kn6500 for that 5 pin midi conection plug and if its there I will be on the hunt for that software you talk about which sounds awsome,thanks again kind regards Jonathan.
Robert is always well worth going to see, I'm sure you'll enjoy his concerts at Thursford!
I seriously thought he was going to pass out! I would have gone on overload.
Cascading at this speed is insane!!! Impressive performance!
Quite splendid in every way! Bravo!!!
BRAVO!!! ENCORE!!! MAGNIFICENTLY PLAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!
This tune always gets me.
A fascinating subgenre of music, and of musician.
I loved it. Cheers just want the eardrums ordered.
The organs pipes are installed in chambers. On the front of the chambers are shutters, big wooden slats arranged like vertical blinds. When the pedal is pushed forward gradually, the shutters open to let the sound out, the more they are open, the more sound gets out. There are two pedals for that on this organ, one for the main chamber, one for the solo chamber. The other two pedals, one is for the piano volume, and the other is for cresendo, the cresendo puts on more stops in a preset sequence.
That was insane. Brilliant entertainer..
I just looked at my organ and piano and said "Now why can't you do that ! !"
Probably your organ and piano says that about you Dude.
This has entertained my 3 and 6 yr old for the past hour! Thanks
Fantastic 👌🏽😮
Love the organists!
Awesome.! Man! This cat would love to study with this fella!
Wow he is fantastic
This must be the result of having amazing muscle memory to be able to hop up and down those manuals like that!
It's surprising that all those little old electric relays can still keep up with his playing without blowing a fuse or causing a valve to stick somewhere. Perhaps that's a testament to Bob Ince's loving maintenance. :-)
Some instruments with solid state relays, and digital instruments, lag when they are played like this! It's a great testament to Wurlitzers relays and workmanship, and, as you say, the maintenance it receives to keep it in such great condition.
I did wonder whether these organs have some sort of latency between the key being struck, and the pipe speaking. Some traditional pipe organs do don't they?
Like any mechanical instrument, there is some degree of latency as it takes time for relays to move and valves to open etc. However, an instrument on a good and well maintained Electro Pneumatic relay and action, everything happens like lightning and there is practically zero latency in the action and sound. What does affect you as a player is acoustical delay. If you are a distance from the pipes or cannot hear the organ directly, then it takes a little extra time for the sound to reach you at the keys.
Funny you should say that...
I'm just playing about with the Miditzer using a MIDI keyboard and find I have that problem with the program's built-in reverb. It's sort-of like playing amplified on a stage, but without monitors.
Would that also be caused by the room or size of room where it can affect acoustics Chris, I have Miditzer and have noticed that.
This something else! Nice tuxedo and shoes. He can sure move the organ pedels.
One of the greatest organists--and organs!
Talent on loan directly from GOD!!! God bless you Robert.
It's a gift straight from God. It's a person's choice to except it or not!
This is amazing! By far the fastest organist I've ever heard and flawless... Bravo!
Out of curiosity I searched for the world's "fastest" organist in TH-cam. At the top of the list I found was ....Robert Wolfe. There are some very famous organists who rival him, but I have found none other who can top him ....at least as far as I am aware. In any case, Mr. Wolfe is one of the best of the best, and I do enjoy watching and listening to his musical style.
You need to keep up with his speed playing, obviously watching him all the time, you'll adjust to how fast he can play and an organist must have a very good memory too
Extremely Outstanding!
simply .......... wooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvelous
This guy played the dam busters for me years ago when I was younger he’s really good
amazing performance
Ah, Robert Wolfe on the Thursford Wurlitzer theatre organ. 11 year old me was blown away when I saw him play....
I can't figure out why he hasn't fallen off that bench...he needs a seatbelt! AMAZINGSKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF HIS INSTRUMENT!!
Watching this, all I can think is, how is this even possible?!
Practice, timing, and coordination
All I can think to reply is:
"Nothing is impossible with God"
Applause. Incredible.
this man is totally awesome as an organist. ive never seen any one play so fast. I wish I could play like he does. alas I am a slow organist. and still takeing lessons.on the lowrey virtual orchestra . and will enter my 16th. year January 1st.
Impressive! If machines could talk...your not playing me again!
The opposite actually, the more these sort of machines are played the better it is for them.