This recording doesn't even come close to doing the instrument justice! If you're ever in Philly, stop in Macy's at noon monday thru saturday. You won't be disappointed!
Wanamaker was a major Anglophile and the great organ debuted on June 11, 1911 to mark the Coronation of King George V. The processional cross of Westminster Abbey was donated by him. Hence "Organ Day" in June and the royal music.
Our Wanamaker Organ never really stopped. Concerts were broadcast over the internet whilst the pandemic was at its worst. Great care was taken to ensure the safety of staff & musicians. Those of us stuck at home we’re grateful for the efforts made. We will doing our in-person tribute to Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee tomorrow (4 June 2022) & it promises to be as spectacular as 2012 & 2017 tributes.
John Wanamaker had one huge organ. Unfortunately, when I visited the store in 1994, the organ was not playable -- the console was empty, just the back and sides were in place, because they were doing a major refurbishment. Just my luck. When I was in Paris in 1982, the top level of the Eiffel Tower was closed for painting and when I went down the street from Notre Dame to see Ste. Chapelle, it had just had a major leak in the roof that caused interior damage, so they'd closed it for emergency repairs.
as a canadian, listening to my country's close ally's anthem being played, gives me goosebumps, the sheer power of the organ alone gave me goosebumps. Great footage!
I'm originally from Valley Forge, Pa. Here's a little trivia fact for you...Irving Berlin never really like "God Bless America". Kate Smith, who was from Philadelphia, loved it and asked him if she could record it. He agreed and the song became a hit. It almost replaced "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. In 1976, our hockey team, The Flyers, made it to the Stanley Cup and asked Kate if she would sing the song that made her famous. She did and we won the cup in 5 games out of 7. She died just after the Cup was brought to Philly.
that was amazing , but you don't know how odd it is to be sitting in england , listening to music written for royal occasions being performed in an american department store !!!
We know how to shop in America. Well at least we used to. Now we sit on our phone or on our laptop and order cheap junk from China. The entire world society is devolving. We used to go to see the Christmas concerts when I was younger. It is something you will never forget. The department stores in Philadelphia, the cradle of liberty. I have Austrian and Slovak lineage. I am grateful that we had British influence on our “law“. From the Magna Carta, that was handed to king John, In a field in Runnemede, to the structure of our common law. As Americans we have much to be grateful for. We had our differences, but we have come together as civilized people to forge a strong alliance, that has helped the world. And to preserve, and conserve intellectual honesty, we have created darkness also. But I believe that darkness is eclipsed by the light of our endeavors.
Yes, it it a bit odd but you might be interested to know this magnificent instrument is located in a department store in Philadelphia, PA & was first played in public on 22 June 1911 at the moment King George V was crowned in Westminster Abbey. Even more interesting is this store sits less than 8 blocks from Independence Hall where America formally declared it’s independence from Britain We will be doing this again tomorrow (4 June 2022) in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. And yes, we will stand & sing “God Save the Queen” with all respect & best wishes to Her Majesty & to the country she serves.
And it will remain as long as the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ have anything to say about. I grew up in Philly & pretty much took this organ for granted because I was around it so often. Now in my 80’s & no longer take anything for granted - especially this fine instrument.
Thank you for this posting. This instrument is a trye treasure. I am so glad Macy's had the proper mindset to be responsible for retaining the magic of this cathedral of commerce. No speakers or earphone could ever replicate the beauty of being present in the space where you not only hear but feel the vibration of the massive pipes. But having been to Wanamakers in the past, I can picture what my little speakers are playing.
Thanks for uploading this. I appreciate the equipment doesn't capture the full atmosphere though. I was surprised that the British national anthem was sung, it made me quite proud.
goodchappy live, totally unbelievably breathtaking . . acoustics would surprise you as one entire 7, I believe story "wall" is dedicated to pipes, open atrium . .
Ahem - it's also the Royal Anthem of Canada, and of other Commonwealth realms recognizing the king as titular head of state. God Save the King of Canada!
@dominionlad8468 As this recording was made 10 years ago and my comment was made 9 years ago, how can it be about the King? And why are they singing "God save the Queen" @2.:50 ?
With reference to the remark about after 237 years who would have thought of hearing God Save the Queen ............. and why not? Aren't we supposed to be ALLIES?!
@Charles Jenkins We only use "God Save The Queen" in alliance only during White House State Visit Arrivals or U.S./U.K. Buckingham Palace State Banquets. Since the UK IS the USA's mother country, These Americans have a right to sing "God Save The Queen" in honor of our British History and Her Majesty The Queen herself. The American Public isn't mad at the British anymore. And we have DUCHESS Meghan to prove that.
And a magnificent time was had by all. The perfect combination of brass fanfare, concert choir and an organ that is a grand orchestra all in itself. The organ performance is superb.
What is with this "Zadok the Priest", anyway?? Does British nobility really BELIEVE they are descended from a bunch of rogue Hebrews who escaped the Captivity?
@@ronalddunne3413 It's allegoric... Remember this was written for use in church. It has to have some religious pretext. You can't overtly worship the monarch in church, so blatant allegory is as far as you could push it.
It looks like she will live forever ! Also maybe she is not going to pass her power onto her next ere , but skip a generation as she is out living them ?
@@victorcastle1840 The Queen can't nominate her successor Victor. The law of succession was laid down seven hundred years ago. Prince Charles is the heir to the throne. He will be the best prepared Prince of Wales in our history. ps: There are no age stipulations. Charles will the oldest, and at six months, King Henry VI was the youngest.
You mean that you are a subject to another person or servant ? Those of you who came to America where more of a free men to serve anyone it would be God , not another man, it seems to me. Your right, I don't get it that you think your royalty is any different than the next man, eat, sleep, drink and work, except they don't work.
Ya, I finally got that after I watched the video several times. I had my eyes closed for most of the first viewing because of the awesomness of this performance. Thanks for the clarification.
I have listened to classical music my entire life. I know music dudes!!!! I have never heard anything more intense then this ambience in the this church for Zadok the Priest by Handel. Amen, amen, amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's an interesting visit to say the least. I was behind because of not predicting how the Philly L-trains operate and also which station to exit. So I was almost on time and I realized I had left my recorder on all night. So there's a CVS nearby and I got the batteries and rushed back. I passed the main reception and the floor walker laughed as she knew I was headed to the Grand Court. This store is weird in that when you enter from the main frontage, you are not in the grand court. But I can hear the rumble of the big pipes so I know I'm at the right place. I then did not give myself time to stage for the best recording position for my 4-channel mini recorder. I started from right of main chamber. I wound up standing near Women's wear. The female clerk was the closest of all employees to the main chamber. She is a Muslim with full on burka so she could be wearing those work earplugs. But I found that the best place that caught a 4-channel recording was in women's tidey whitees. People would stop and look, then leave. now the restroom is near there. And they do have nice bathrooms of the old timey design. All while I was there I kept thinking of "Are you Being Served" BBC show.
Read up on John Wanamaker who built the store & had the organ installed. He wanted his customers to keep on shopping whilst the organ played. Early 1900’s Muzak if you will. As is done today, he occasionally put on concerts in evenings after the store closed where people could enjoy the organ without the background of commerce being conducted.
Despite what the critics say, I enjoy listening to this in such an odd space. Must be very difficult to perform when there's so much racket, like trying to play a decent postlude when parishioners leap to their feet and begin shouting to their friends across the nave.
That's your cue to throw on every reed on the organ and show the noisy parishioners who's in charge of the situation. Let them chit chat at coffee hour. That's what it's for.
Only The genius Scottbrothersduo could manage this. The inimitable Jonathan Scott on the Wanamaker organ and Tom for the film and sound. Now that would be awesome and truly Grand!!
Magnificent!! With Boardwalk Hall's Midmer-Losh Organ starting to be brought back online, the Right Stage Chamber is now in tip-top shape and work is now starting on the Left Stage Chamber, praying now that scenes like this start becoming an annual or even regular occurrence at Boardwalk Hall, a grand choir singing the most moving pieces of music to it! ^^
But the AC organ was never fully playable or completed with all pipes playable. If it were, it would have upended the Wanamaker Organ as the largest playable organ.
The origin of it was built by the Los Angeles Art Organ Company, and finished at a cost of $105,000 (equal to $2,716,000 today), $40,000 over budget, equal to $1,034,667 today. So,win the lottery,get a space that size and find a organ builder that would be crazy enough to try and equal it,because they won't let you have this one! :)
The melody to God Save the Queen is used by at least fifteen other countries as a national anthem or patriotic song. Dropping down to that E7 at "send her victorious" is the version most commonly used in Norway for their royal anthem.
With that organ, and the astounding reeds it contains, why in blazes do they need an orchestra? The sound is overwhelming as it is. Let the organ and choir speak for themselves.
+robert shaw I would suggest the brass (not an orchestra) is playing because the organ is playing the strings part, the brass and timpani part is not covered by the organ, thus played by the brass and timpani. And in God Save The Queen, the brass fanfare before that is in a way traditional.
+JimmytheTrumpet Hello: We can't see the organ score so it is difficult to know what he is trying to play. That organ has reeds that will tear the toupe off a bald man. There are many transcriptions played only by organ. No reason except to include more people it could not be done in this case.In the second part, once more, why have the brass opening fanfare when the organ is more than capable of playing the same part. This is just an observation, not cause for an extended discussion. Pipe organs don't need orchestras. An organist can play at least four parts at once. More if there is a good organist playing.In any case, the transcription we are listening to is written for this organ/orchestra combination Not for an independent organ solo. Is everyone happy now? Nice discussing with you.
The brass have that fanfare because it is written for brass, and always played by brass. We don't actually need to see the organ score to know what parts it is playing, because we can hear what parts it is playing (see my first comment).
+robert shaw - The fanfare to "God Save The Queen" is the Gordon Jacob fanfare that was written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The original fanfare was written for brass (the common arrangement is four trumpets and three trombones - I'm not sure what the Guards used in 1953), so using brass when it is available better fits the composer's original intent. As +JimmyTheTrumpet has noted, the organ is taking the role of the strings in "Zadok The Priest". Handel could not have dreamed of large pipe organs of the Romantic era! The Wanamaker Organ is undoubtedly capable of playing a very good arrangement of both pieces without additional instrumentalists, but nothing precludes their use alongside the organ.
+Steve Seifer Hi Steve - Many of them are behind the façade pipes on the first leverl But there are many stories above that, each containing pipes until the dark sort of windows at the tip. There are also rooms for blowers and the realy cases as well.
It depends on several factors, but it ranges from zero to five seconds. In 1997, as part of the store's final May Co. conversion into a Lord & Taylor the store area was reduced to three floors and additional panes of glass were put around the Grand Court on floors four and five, greatly enhancing the reverberation of the room.
+MeinnameistDreck George III wasn't mad in 1776, in fact he didn't have his first attack of Porphyria until 1789 (the King suffered from a rare blood disorder that causes chemical imbalances in the brain). He was simply poorly advised by the North administration, much to the annoyance of many in Parliament, including the leader of the opposition the Earl of Chatham. Lord Chatham championed the cause of the American rebels and proposed full representation of the Thirteen Colonies in both chambers of Parliament. He suffered a stroke giving the leading speech in the House of Lords and later died for his troubles. You need to read more widely on the topic and forget the rubbish you were taught at High school.
It's so weird to see these pieces/songs being performed in the US. It suddenly Came to me that in some ways we live in truely different worlds. And that in some ways there's no way to truely grasp the influence of history.
That figure reflects the base rate of inflation, but of course building this organ would cost much more than $2.7 million these days. The 2005 Kimmel Center pipe organ was not as big and was $6.5 million.
Yes, usually first weekend in June but was upended in 2020 by pandemic & delayed in 2021 to September. Seems to be back on track in 2022 - this year is Saturday, 4 June. Otherwise, the organ is played twice a day Monday thru Saturday with special concerts at other times. It’s tons of fun to be shopping in Center City Macy’s Philadelphia where the organ is located & suddenly have the organ start playing.
Would cost much much more than that to build an instrument like this today, cost of materials and labour have all gone up. You are talking nearer $100 million.
Why did they sing "God Save the Queen?" I'm sure that when she makes an appearance in Parliament they don't play "Hail to the Chief." As of for the actual sound, it's extremely reverberant & the articulation of the notes is blurred. Everything seems to "run into" each other & it's difficult to distinguish what's actually being performed. Sometimes "BIG & LOUD" just doesn't work. I'd prefer a nice 15-25 rank Baroque style tracker as to one of these behemoths of an organ. Nothing beats an Arp Schnitger!
It was the Diamond Jubilee week.. Obviously they're playing music from the Coronation. Both countries have always been respectful to each other during important times. Remember when the Brits sang to our national anthem in St. Pauls Cathedral? Imagine how awkward that was singing to an anthem that speaks to defeating your own country...but they did it anyway. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy whatever good culture is left in our country.
To be fair, you're right. Big and loud doesn't always cut it. To be fair though, the Wanamaker/Macy's building is HUGE. You really can't tell the scale of the place from this video. and the microphones on the camera don't really do too well with picking up the sound. Lots of reverb is natural regardless just because of the sheer size of the building.
Well aware. This is a "romantic" type instrument that for all practical purposes was supposed to imitate or be as capable as a symphony orchestra. That's why Baroque organ music never sounds right on these to me.
Was the queen in Philly or something? I shudder to think what Washington, Franklin and Jefferson would’ve thought about god save the queen/king and the coronation anthem being played in the former nations capital
I am confident that cancel culture will cancel them from ever singing God save the Queen again. America no longer pays tribute to the American Indian with the name of professional baseball teams. I am sure that singing God save the queen will be “cultural appropriation“. Well dammit, We are the product of great Britain. I thank God that our laws were derived from Great Britain, and not Communist China. From the Magna Carta, that was handed to king John at the edge of a sword, in a field in Runnemede. And I don’t mean Runnemede New Jersey, for our low level information, Public school readers. The structure of our common law has held us together as a nation for a quarter of a millennia. As of late, our society is devolving, hopefully we can regain the enforcement and execution, of that law again, for everyone, not just the citizens who empower it. We had our differences several centuries ago, but we came together as civilized humans to create a great alliance. We have helped the world in many ways, and to be intellectually honest and objective, we have caused harm. But I believe that harm has been eclipsed by the good that we have done. Bringing billions of people out of poverty, feeding them when they needed it, wiping out diseases, etc. We also have caused some needless death, misery, destruction, etc. Under the premise of “protecting our interests”. There is still poverty in the world, but this is the best time to be alive in the past 5,000 years. Many of our “poor” live better than kings did half of millennia ago. Civilization goes in cycles, hopefully we hit bottom soon, and put this darkness behind us, and start heading back up as a society. Our forefathers shed their blood so we could have self rule, and live in freedom, and have no man above us. I am of Austrian and Slovak lineage. I thank God that my grandfather fled socialist Slovakia, a century ago and came to the United States. My relatives have since won their freedom also based on the same universal freedoms. Those freedoms allow us a culture, that we can shop while a magnificent performance is in play. I find that to be a little bizarre, but it gives testament to our freedom. If you brought 10 kings and queens from half a millennia go for one day, and they could see what their actions produced, I am confident that they would be glad how it turned out, and what we have become. Oh and, “long live the queen”. From a grateful American in the 21st-century.
Well, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow (4 June2022) when the Wanamaker Organ honors Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. I fully expect “God Save the Queen” to be on offer & this Philly gal with ancestors who fought & died in the American Revolution will stand & sing with respect to Her Majesty the Queen & the country she’s faithfully served for over 70 years.
Someday I will play an organ like this. I'll keep searching for one that works or to let arrive an invitation. I just want to play to Goddess Nature & God and whoever desires to be present.
Those Euro mincers stole Zadok for UEFA theme and butchered it. Now the ignoramus' think it's some kind of EU tribute tune. It was written as a Coronation Anthem for the British Monarch by the great English composer Handel (lol, we're claiming him, after all he was given citizenship!)
What a true disappointment hearing this organ that is touted to be so wonderful. Nothing but distorted noise. Individual notes are not heard: just a mashup of acoustical gibberish. Sad. So very sad.
This is not a professional recording! And are you listening to it on a computer? When experienced live, trust me that one can hear individual notes. It's a huge instrument in a voluminous space. It can be compared to listening to the organ going full blare at Royal Albert Hall in London. That Willis/Harrison & Harrison/Mander organ has 10,000 pipes, whereas the Wanamaker (Macy's) instrument has more than 28,000 pipes.
This recording doesn't even come close to doing the instrument justice! If you're ever in Philly, stop in Macy's at noon monday thru saturday. You won't be disappointed!
Magnificent!
Long live her majesty the Queen!
God save the Queen! Thanks Macy's :)
LONG LIVE HER MAJESTY!!
Wanamaker was a major Anglophile and the great organ debuted on June 11, 1911 to mark the Coronation of King George V. The processional cross of Westminster Abbey was donated by him. Hence "Organ Day" in June and the royal music.
God Save The Queen
Amazing and a shopping experience too. I hope the store can come back post virus. Greetings from the uk
Our Wanamaker Organ never really stopped.
Concerts were broadcast over the internet whilst the pandemic was at its worst. Great care was taken to ensure the safety of staff & musicians. Those of us stuck at home we’re grateful for the efforts made.
We will doing our in-person tribute to Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee tomorrow (4 June 2022) & it promises to be as spectacular as 2012 & 2017 tributes.
What wonderful memories of 12 noon concerts in Wanmaker's.
God save the king.
I would love to hear this organ in person, so beautiful. Waterville Maine here
I'm still here 9 years later and still loving your wonderful amazing posts 💕💕💕💕💕
John Wanamaker had one huge organ. Unfortunately, when I visited the store in 1994, the organ was not playable -- the console was empty, just the back and sides were in place, because they were doing a major refurbishment. Just my luck. When I was in Paris in 1982, the top level of the Eiffel Tower was closed for painting and when I went down the street from Notre Dame to see Ste. Chapelle, it had just had a major leak in the roof that caused interior damage, so they'd closed it for emergency repairs.
Do you ever think sometimes that someone has put a hex on you?
as a canadian, listening to my country's close ally's anthem being played, gives me goosebumps, the sheer power of the organ alone gave me goosebumps. Great footage!
This is our royal anthem, too.
She’s still your head of state. God Save the Queen!
More than a close ally! This is your true national anthem too
I'm originally from Valley Forge, Pa. Here's a little trivia fact for you...Irving Berlin never really like "God Bless America". Kate Smith, who was from Philadelphia, loved it and asked him if she could record it. He agreed and the song became a hit. It almost replaced "The Star Spangled Banner" as our national anthem. In 1976, our hockey team, The Flyers, made it to the Stanley Cup and asked Kate if she would sing the song that made her famous. She did and we won the cup in 5 games out of 7. She died just after the Cup was brought to Philly.
that was amazing , but you don't know how odd it is to be sitting in england , listening to music written for royal occasions being performed in an american department store !!!
We know how to shop in America. Well at least we used to. Now we sit on our phone or on our laptop and order cheap junk from China. The entire world society is devolving. We used to go to see the Christmas concerts when I was younger. It is something you will never forget. The department stores in Philadelphia, the cradle of liberty.
I have Austrian and Slovak lineage. I am grateful that we had British influence on our “law“. From the Magna Carta, that was handed to king John, In a field in Runnemede, to the structure of our common law. As Americans we have much to be grateful for. We had our differences, but we have come together as civilized people to forge a strong alliance, that has helped the world. And to preserve, and conserve intellectual honesty, we have created darkness also. But I believe that darkness is eclipsed by the light of our endeavors.
Just about the most American thing there is, for worse and for worse.
I find it delightful that an organ like this resides in a department store. I hope it stays there.
Yes, it it a bit odd but you might be interested to know this magnificent instrument is located in a department store in Philadelphia, PA & was first played in public on 22 June 1911 at the moment King George V was crowned in Westminster Abbey.
Even more interesting is this store sits less than 8 blocks from Independence Hall where America formally declared it’s independence from Britain
We will be doing this again tomorrow (4 June 2022) in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
And yes, we will stand & sing “God Save the Queen” with all respect & best wishes to Her Majesty & to the country she serves.
And it will remain as long as the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ have anything to say about.
I grew up in Philly & pretty much took this organ for granted because I was around it so often. Now in my 80’s & no longer take anything for granted - especially this fine instrument.
Makes me proud to be British,
Schedule yourself for the tour....it is as remarkable as the sound. Peter Conte really breathes the life into it!!
I second the thanks for your posting. I've been to Wanamaker's (Macy's) twice to hear this beast, & hope to get back many more times.
The wonderfulness of this performance is an order of magnitude
Why ?
@@nancylemler4882
This promotes peace and serenity of the soul
Thank you for this posting. This instrument is a trye treasure. I am so glad Macy's had the proper mindset to be responsible for retaining the magic of this cathedral of commerce. No speakers or earphone could ever replicate the beauty of being present in the space where you not only hear but feel the vibration of the massive pipes. But having been to Wanamakers in the past, I can picture what my little speakers are playing.
LOVE IT... phone ringing and all! Best version I have heard to date. The ambiance in this place knocks it through the park.
So, you've only heard this version? Listen to any version from Westminster abbey
Thanks for uploading this. I appreciate the equipment doesn't capture the full atmosphere though. I was surprised that the British national anthem was sung, it made me quite proud.
goodchappy live, totally unbelievably breathtaking . . acoustics would surprise you as one entire 7, I believe story "wall" is dedicated to pipes, open atrium . .
Ahem - it's also the Royal Anthem of Canada, and of other Commonwealth realms recognizing the king as titular head of state.
God Save the King of Canada!
@dominionlad8468 As this recording was made 10 years ago and my comment was made 9 years ago, how can it be about the King? And why are they singing "God save the Queen" @2.:50 ?
With reference to the remark about after 237 years who would have thought of hearing God Save the Queen ............. and why not? Aren't we supposed to be ALLIES?!
@Charles Jenkins We only use "God Save The Queen" in alliance only during White House State Visit Arrivals or U.S./U.K. Buckingham Palace State Banquets. Since the UK IS the USA's mother country, These Americans have a right to sing "God Save The Queen" in honor of our British History and Her Majesty The Queen herself. The American Public isn't mad at the British anymore. And we have DUCHESS Meghan to prove that.
It's a standard with "American" words. The Episcopal Churst used to sing the last verse once in most services.
@@whdstudios2441 Aaaahhhhhhhhhh, the Me, Me Me, Megan 😝
And a magnificent time was had by all. The perfect combination of brass fanfare, concert choir and an organ that is a grand orchestra all in itself. The organ performance is superb.
Don't speed through the beginning of zadok. It's meant to be grand and measured, and slowly build.
What is with this "Zadok the Priest", anyway?? Does British nobility really BELIEVE they are descended from a bunch of rogue Hebrews who escaped the Captivity?
@@ronalddunne3413 It's allegoric... Remember this was written for use in church. It has to have some religious pretext. You can't overtly worship the monarch in church, so blatant allegory is as far as you could push it.
With that incredible organ and entire ensemble and choir and acoustics this was simply epic sounding!!
Wish I had been there! That powerful performance must have been heart felt!
Long live the Queent!!
It looks like she will live forever ! Also maybe she is not going to pass her power onto her next ere , but skip a generation as she is out living them ?
@@victorcastle1840
The Queen can't nominate her successor Victor. The law of succession was laid down seven hundred years ago. Prince Charles is the heir to the throne.
He will be the best prepared Prince of Wales in our history.
ps: There are no age stipulations. Charles will the oldest, and at six months, King Henry VI was the youngest.
Many thanks to Doc Bower for sharing this AND all his hard work restoring pneumatics, etc.!
ce sont les meilleures équipes
As a Brit living in the UK i found this very different to how it's performed here . However Bravo - well done and very enjoyable .
Don BAker Organist At Paramount
Jim Shepard I
Marvelous atmosphere,
a superlative concert!
Glenn
Gob Smacked!
I'd buy all day to this music!
God Save the Queen is often sung as a flat dirge (particularly at football matches) but this version is upbeat and uplifting.
Brilliant performance.
It's not a church, but a department store. The organ came from the 1904 World's Fair.
Long live Her Majesty 🇺🇸♥️🇬🇧
Your not a Britt at heart if you don't know "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!" that was one of the first songs my Mum taught us as children!
You mean that you are a subject to another person or servant ? Those of you who came to America where more of a free men to serve anyone it would be God , not another man, it seems to me. Your right, I don't get it that you think your royalty is any different than the next man, eat, sleep, drink and work, except they don't work.
The Queen considered herself the servant. The royals work very hard.
This is really wonderful, thank you so much for posting all of these recordings, but, for me, especially this one!
The King of the King of Instruments is the only fit instrument for the highest royal in the world.
Ya, I finally got that after I watched the video several times. I had my eyes closed for most of the first viewing because of the awesomness of this performance. Thanks for the clarification.
According to my research, this version in America is called "My Country Tis to Thee"
I have listened to classical music my entire life. I know music dudes!!!! I have never heard anything more intense then this ambience in the this church for Zadok the Priest by Handel. Amen, amen, amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandeza...esplendor... "God save America" !!!
What does it say about a person who just keeps on shopping, paying no attention to the magnificent art and artists? I don't get it. I was mesmerized.
It's an interesting visit to say the least. I was behind because of not predicting how the Philly L-trains operate and also which station to exit. So I was almost on time and I realized I had left my recorder on all night. So there's a CVS nearby and I got the batteries and rushed back. I passed the main reception and the floor walker laughed as she knew I was headed to the Grand Court. This store is weird in that when you enter from the main frontage, you are not in the grand court. But I can hear the rumble of the big pipes so I know I'm at the right place. I then did not give myself time to stage for the best recording position for my 4-channel mini recorder. I started from right of main chamber. I wound up standing near Women's wear. The female clerk was the closest of all employees to the main chamber. She is a Muslim with full on burka so she could be wearing those work earplugs. But I found that the best place that caught a 4-channel recording was in women's tidey whitees. People would stop and look, then leave. now the restroom is near there. And they do have nice bathrooms of the old timey design. All while I was there I kept thinking of "Are you Being Served" BBC show.
It says the person has no class and has no whit of civilation
Read up on John Wanamaker who built the store & had the organ installed. He wanted his customers to keep on shopping whilst the organ played. Early 1900’s Muzak if you will.
As is done today, he occasionally put on concerts in evenings after the store closed where people could enjoy the organ without the background of commerce being conducted.
This man plays this organ like few others have before him.
I have been playing for over 40 years, but I'm afraid that organ would be more that I could handle!
Despite what the critics say, I enjoy listening to this in such an odd space. Must be very difficult to perform when there's so much racket, like trying to play a decent postlude when parishioners leap to their feet and begin shouting to their friends across the nave.
That's your cue to throw on every reed on the organ and show the noisy parishioners who's in charge of the situation.
Let them chit chat at coffee hour. That's what it's for.
Only The genius Scottbrothersduo could manage this. The inimitable Jonathan Scott on the Wanamaker organ and Tom for the film and sound. Now that would be awesome and truly Grand!!
Tremendous performance.
they ought to sell CD's of an organ recital-this is fantastic!
a happening... spectacular and I missed it
Um dos hinos mais belos do mundo.
They have it every year. This year it's 6/28 and 6/29/13. Google "friends of the wanamaker organ" for more info.
Would love to have been there. Less chance of getting seasick with wobbly videos.
А как поет хор,это просто улет.
Magnificent!! With Boardwalk Hall's Midmer-Losh Organ starting to be brought back online, the Right Stage Chamber is now in tip-top shape and work is now starting on the Left Stage Chamber, praying now that scenes like this start becoming an annual or even regular occurrence at Boardwalk Hall, a grand choir singing the most moving pieces of music to it! ^^
Patriot1776 Not in that big barn of an arena... unless you invite the Mormon Tabernacle choir.
But the AC organ was never fully playable or completed with all pipes playable. If it were, it would have upended the Wanamaker Organ as the largest playable organ.
The organ in AC was completed in 1932 and fully functioned until a hurricane hit in 1944.
WOW!!
Wow its like being back in the Grand Court.
I think Mr.Conte had to make an adjustment in the tempo to mesh with the unusual acoustics of the venue..an awesome performance...
Intro of Zadok the Priest is much too fast.
The origin of it was built by the Los Angeles Art Organ Company, and finished at a cost of $105,000 (equal to $2,716,000 today), $40,000 over budget, equal to $1,034,667 today. So,win the lottery,get a space that size and find a organ builder that would be crazy enough to try and equal it,because they won't let you have this one! :)
The melody to God Save the Queen is used by at least fifteen other countries as a national anthem or patriotic song. Dropping down to that E7 at "send her victorious" is the version most commonly used in Norway for their royal anthem.
Most camcorders can't do quality stereo recording and this is a good example of that fact.
A professional reproduction of history normally the americans are too fast but this is perfect.
The organist is A one
With that organ, and the astounding reeds it contains, why in blazes do they need an orchestra? The sound is overwhelming as it is. Let the organ and choir speak for themselves.
+robert shaw I would suggest the brass (not an orchestra) is playing because the organ is playing the strings part, the brass and timpani part is not covered by the organ, thus played by the brass and timpani. And in God Save The Queen, the brass fanfare before that is in a way traditional.
+JimmytheTrumpet Hello: We can't see the organ score so it is difficult to know what he is trying to play. That organ has reeds that will tear the toupe off a bald man. There are many transcriptions played only by organ. No reason except to include more people it could not be done in this case.In the second part, once more, why have the brass opening fanfare when the organ is more than capable of playing the same part. This is just an observation, not cause for an extended discussion. Pipe organs don't need orchestras. An organist can play at least four parts at once. More if there is a good organist playing.In any case, the transcription we are listening to is written for this organ/orchestra combination Not for an independent organ solo. Is everyone happy now? Nice discussing with you.
The brass have that fanfare because it is written for brass, and always played by brass. We don't actually need to see the organ score to know what parts it is playing, because we can hear what parts it is playing (see my first comment).
robert shaw b
+robert shaw - The fanfare to "God Save The Queen" is the Gordon Jacob fanfare that was written for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The original fanfare was written for brass (the common arrangement is four trumpets and three trombones - I'm not sure what the Guards used in 1953), so using brass when it is available better fits the composer's original intent.
As +JimmyTheTrumpet has noted, the organ is taking the role of the strings in "Zadok The Priest". Handel could not have dreamed of large pipe organs of the Romantic era!
The Wanamaker Organ is undoubtedly capable of playing a very good arrangement of both pieces without additional instrumentalists, but nothing precludes their use alongside the organ.
3:22
4:27: Zadok the Priest: The Official Anthem of the coronation of HRH King Charles III and the UEFA Champions League ⚽️🇪🇺
Where are the thousands of pipes this organ has?
Steve Seifer Behind the facade and the walls.
+Steve Seifer Hi Steve - Many of them are behind the façade pipes on the first leverl But there are many stories above that, each containing pipes until the dark sort of windows at the tip. There are also rooms for blowers and the realy cases as well.
Anyone know how many seconds of delay the space has?
It depends on several factors, but it ranges from zero to five seconds. In 1997, as part of the store's final May Co. conversion into a Lord & Taylor the store area was reduced to three floors and additional panes of glass were put around the Grand Court on floors four and five, greatly enhancing the reverberation of the room.
just wondering how the heck you get to the last 2 manuals with the monitor in the way?
Are they on drugs through the first part og Zadok The Priest?
was it bring-a-royal-to-work day? ;p
The applause for the British national anthem?
Of course. Without Great Britain the United States would not exist.
Too much confusion. Tempo quite uneven.
My hand shakes so much I would never be able to film this. I don't suppose you can set up a tripod?
Yeah, the Zadok intro part was just TOO much rubato.
Such a shame, that America left the Empire, such a shame.
Quite right, quite right!
Yes, but when Luke Skywalker defeated the Emperor it was all over.
8000Christopher If George III hadn't been completely mad, we would most likely still be part of the Commonwealth...
+MeinnameistDreck God Save the Queen !
+MeinnameistDreck George III wasn't mad in 1776, in fact he didn't have his first attack of Porphyria until 1789 (the King suffered from a rare blood disorder that causes chemical imbalances in the brain). He was simply poorly advised by the North administration, much to the annoyance of many in Parliament, including the leader of the opposition the Earl of Chatham. Lord Chatham championed the cause of the American rebels and proposed full representation of the Thirteen Colonies in both chambers of Parliament. He suffered a stroke giving the leading speech in the House of Lords and later died for his troubles. You need to read more widely on the topic and forget the rubbish you were taught at High school.
Yeah, with something this big I'd imagine you'd feel it if you were there.
The first movement was far too fast, and the second and fourth movements were too slow.
It's so weird to see these pieces/songs being performed in the US. It suddenly Came to me that in some ways we live in truely different worlds. And that in some ways there's no way to truely grasp the influence of history.
That figure reflects the base rate of inflation, but of course building this organ would cost much more than $2.7 million these days. The 2005 Kimmel Center pipe organ was not as big and was $6.5 million.
When is organ day? Do they have it every year?
Yes, usually first weekend in June but was upended in 2020 by pandemic & delayed in 2021 to September. Seems to be back on track in 2022 - this year is Saturday, 4 June.
Otherwise, the organ is played twice a day Monday thru Saturday with special concerts at other times. It’s tons of fun to be shopping in Center City Macy’s Philadelphia where the organ is located & suddenly have the organ start playing.
Would cost much much more than that to build an instrument like this today, cost of materials and labour have all gone up. You are talking nearer $100 million.
Why did they sing "God Save the Queen?" I'm sure that when she makes an appearance in Parliament they don't play "Hail to the Chief." As of for the actual sound, it's extremely reverberant & the articulation of the notes is blurred. Everything seems to "run into" each other & it's difficult to distinguish what's actually being performed. Sometimes "BIG & LOUD" just doesn't work. I'd prefer a nice 15-25 rank Baroque style tracker as to one of these behemoths of an organ. Nothing beats an Arp Schnitger!
It was the Diamond Jubilee week.. Obviously they're playing music from the Coronation. Both countries have always been respectful to each other during important times. Remember when the Brits sang to our national anthem in St. Pauls Cathedral? Imagine how awkward that was singing to an anthem that speaks to defeating your own country...but they did it anyway. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy whatever good culture is left in our country.
"I did not know that" ~ voice of Johnny Carson.
To be fair, you're right. Big and loud doesn't always cut it. To be fair though, the Wanamaker/Macy's building is HUGE. You really can't tell the scale of the place from this video. and the microphones on the camera don't really do too well with picking up the sound. Lots of reverb is natural regardless just because of the sheer size of the building.
Don't for get that the organ you prefer is for a completely different style of music than what the Wannamaker organ was design for.
Well aware. This is a "romantic" type instrument that for all practical purposes was supposed to imitate or be as capable as a symphony orchestra. That's why Baroque organ music never sounds right on these to me.
i do this on my KORGTRITONLe (keyboard.) Pipes on SW Knobs is the setting. it's chilling!
Is it or was it a church???
No, it is, and always has been, a department store. Americans eh?
Guess you just have to make do with only 4 manuals. ;)
Organ too loud - drowns the chorus.
вообще кайфффффффффффффф,люблю ОРГАННННННННННННННН
Founding fathers may have been courageous, but I can't think of a stupider reason to fight for independence.
dented42 history is not your forte
Freedom?
Now God save the king Charles
Zadok the Priest....way too fast.
Was the queen in Philly or something? I shudder to think what Washington, Franklin and Jefferson would’ve thought about god save the queen/king and the coronation anthem being played in the former nations capital
I am confident that cancel culture will cancel them from ever singing God save the Queen again. America no longer pays tribute to the American Indian with the name of professional baseball teams. I am sure that singing God save the queen will be “cultural appropriation“.
Well dammit, We are the product of great Britain. I thank God that our laws were derived from Great Britain, and not Communist China. From the Magna Carta, that was handed to king John at the edge of a sword, in a field in Runnemede. And I don’t mean Runnemede New Jersey, for our low level information, Public school readers. The structure of our common law has held us together as a nation for a quarter of a millennia. As of late, our society is devolving, hopefully we can regain the enforcement and execution, of that law again, for everyone, not just the citizens who empower it. We had our differences several centuries ago, but we came together as civilized humans to create a great alliance. We have helped the world in many ways, and to be intellectually honest and objective, we have caused harm. But I believe that harm has been eclipsed by the good that we have done. Bringing billions of people out of poverty, feeding them when they needed it, wiping out diseases, etc.
We also have caused some needless death, misery, destruction, etc. Under the premise of “protecting our interests”. There is still poverty in the world, but this is the best time to be alive in the past 5,000 years. Many of our “poor” live better than kings did half of millennia ago. Civilization goes in cycles, hopefully we hit bottom soon, and put this darkness behind us, and start heading back up as a society. Our forefathers shed their blood so we could have self rule, and live in freedom, and have no man above us. I am of Austrian and Slovak lineage. I thank God that my grandfather fled socialist Slovakia, a century ago and came to the United States. My relatives have since won their freedom also based on the same universal freedoms. Those freedoms allow us a culture, that we can shop while a magnificent performance is in play. I find that to be a little bizarre, but it gives testament to our freedom. If you brought 10 kings and queens from half a millennia go for one day, and they could see what their actions produced, I am confident that they would be glad how it turned out, and what we have become.
Oh and, “long live the queen”.
From a grateful American in the 21st-century.
Well, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow (4 June2022) when the Wanamaker Organ honors Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
I fully expect “God Save the Queen” to be on offer & this Philly gal with ancestors who fought & died in the American Revolution will stand & sing with respect to Her Majesty the Queen & the country she’s faithfully served for over 70 years.
Someday I will play an organ like this. I'll keep searching for one that works or to let arrive an invitation. I just want to play to Goddess Nature & God and whoever desires to be present.
Only appropriate, I would say. Probably realizing they made the wrong decision....
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Champions league ici c'est paris 🔴🔵
Did the camera operator suffer from Parkinson's disease? It would appear so!
The gentleman asked for pardon as he was standing with a handheld camera.
Those Euro mincers stole Zadok for UEFA theme and butchered it. Now the ignoramus' think it's some kind of EU tribute tune. It was written as a Coronation Anthem for the British Monarch by the great English composer Handel (lol, we're claiming him, after all he was given citizenship!)
What a true disappointment hearing this organ that is touted to be so wonderful. Nothing but distorted noise. Individual notes are not heard: just a mashup of acoustical gibberish. Sad. So very sad.
This is not a professional recording! And are you listening to it on a computer? When experienced live, trust me that one can hear individual notes. It's a huge instrument in a voluminous space. It can be compared to listening to the organ going full blare at Royal Albert Hall in London. That Willis/Harrison & Harrison/Mander organ has 10,000 pipes, whereas the Wanamaker (Macy's) instrument has more than 28,000 pipes.