Diane Bish......

[tittualex]

Dear All,

Have a look at this Bach piece being played by Diane Bish...... elegant and graceful......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l83zn...eature=related

regards,

alex.

[Krummhorn]

Splendid playing ... on a splendid organ (Coral Ridge Pres.)

[wljmrbill]

Thanks .I always enjoy listening to Diane . We are from same area of Kansas and studied under some of the same teachers.

[jhnbrbr]

Fantastic! Thanks Alex. Here's Virgil Fox having some riotous fun with this piece too ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gRBCAdC7wI

[Krummhorn]

Ahh, the good ol' days with the Boston Pops ... Arthur Fiedler dancing on the podium, no less

[Dorsetmike]

Must say I prefer the Diane Bish, and a number of other performers versions, over the "pop" treatment

[tittualex]

Must say I prefer the Diane Bish, and a number of other performers versions, over the "pop" treatment

true that Virgil is one of the greatest in having his own style and above all the energy and the passion with which he performs ....... but I still prefer the old school .............

Alex

[Krummhorn]

So do I, Alex. I would always prefer to hear or witness the traditional performance of these works.

In Fox's defense though, he had this true desire to introduce as many of the organ classics to the "non classical" audience as feasible; the typical "pops" audience who may not have stayed around past the second measure for an "old school" performance, gained another insight, and a greater appreciation, for the organ music of Bach.

[AllanP]

Diane Bish is a great player. I have only heard her in person once, but several times on YouTube. Virgil Fox had the ability to involve his audience in the music.

I believe that if organists could be a little less stiff or traditional, more people would like organ music. This comment applies to both classical and theatre organists. We in the organ world seem to have got ourselves in a rut. To get out is going to take some innovative thinking.

[tittualex]

its true we need to make a move on......... especially with such a versatile 'king' at our disposal......

Alex.

[Krummhorn]

Excellent point, Allan

When doing a concert, I try to do this ... even to the point of including some secular tunes (Rags, etc). The classic church organ is quite capable of romping through some of these peppier tunes, and the majority of people seem to be very receptive and appreciate the humor.

[Dorsetmike]

Excellent point, Allan

When doing a concert, I try to do this ... even to the point of including some secular tunes (Rags, etc). The classic church organ is quite capable of romping through some of these peppier tunes, and the majority of people seem to be very receptive and appreciate the humor.

That I would love to hear, any chance of some appearing on Youtube?

I listen to jazz keyboard music as much as I do baroque organ and harpsichord and often try to imagine a good stride piano player let loose on a pipe organ.

[dll927]

Virgil Fox will probably never live down (???) his reputation. He was known for not caring much about how the composers intended their works to be played -- in other words, Fox's version was what you were going to get. No question that, technically, he was superb, but I sometimes got a bit tired of the ambulance-chasing tempi.

Bish herself is not above such antics, and she is nothing if not flamboyant. But again, one can't question her ability. I've never heard her in person, but I long ago taped a lot of her "Joy of Music" programs. The interesting part is how she has travelled so much and played on many European organs.

Maybe most of us just wish we had that ability!!

[tittualex]

I found this video in you tube quite interesting....... memorizing all the works of some of the greatest composers of all times.......fantastic.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hczd6WKMBUc

regards,

Alex

[greatcyber]

The piece from the Crystal Cathedral was superb. I have always enjoyed listening to it but never knew it's title. Maybe David has the sheet music for this and will be kind enough to share it? I would love to give it a go and see if I can play it.

Diane Bish was always a favourite of mine and I used to love to listen to her in Fort Lauderdale when she was the principal organist near my home. The organ at the First Presbyterian Church (I have previously posted pics and vids of her at the console) always amazed me. One highlight was when I actually got to play that very organ so many years ago. Years before when I lived in Atlanta I used to be "glued" to the tellie every Sunday to watch her on The Joy Of Music as she toured the world playing some of the most famous organs.

Thanks for this.