movie films & pipe organs

[sunshadow]

Many, many years ago I watched a foreign film (non-English) about a man, in an earlier century, who beautifully played a pipe organ in a small church in a small village... Unfortunately, I do not remember a whole lot about the plot, but the basic story line was that he was driven from the town, I think due to his unorthodox style of playing the instrument... the man experienced many hardships, during the middle parts of the film, but I vividly remember the movie concluding with the man finding an opportunity to play one of the largest pipe organs in a cathedral somewhere in Europe. It was one of the most impressive music pieces I had ever heard in my life! Those witnessing the event at the church, were completely overwhelmed by the performance that they could only respond in blank wonderment. The music so moved me, I could not stop thinking about it for weeks!
This was a old black-and-white film, and the preservation quality of the film was not great.. but I think in some ways it added to the atmosphere of the film. My best guess is the film was made in the 30's or 40's, but I'm not sure. I have searched for it using "plot" key words in movie data bases, and I also searched for it on the general internet; but so far, no luck. I unfortunately do not have a title for the movie, so the task of locating it is especially difficult. If anyone has any information that could assist me with locating this film, I would be very grateful! I also would highly recommend the film to all that have any interests in pipe organs.

[Krummhorn]

Hello sunshadow, and Welcome to Magle Int'l Music Forums.

Hmmm, sounds alot like my life story, sans playing in an European cathedral ... . Seriously though, your quest for information is certainly welcome here, and although I don't have a definitive answer, there are some here who might.

You might also try posting this in Movies & Film Music Forum here within MIMF.

[music4all]

Hello sunshadow. I know the movie you are talking about, and I too, have tried many avenues to find out what movie it is .If you have found the answer please let me know.To add to the plot , the movie was in Austria . The young man was shunned by the local organ player out of jealousy.He was not allowed to play , or repair the organ in his village. Then one day an administrator from Salzburg or Viennna , was taking a general census of organs in the area for what ever reason, and stumbled upon the lad who had repaired the organ without permission , and herad him play and invited him to a contest the rest you know. To my recolection , the film I saw was in color and had english subtitles. It begs the question in my mind , if their was a remake of the movie , as the sound quality was quite good. I also recall in the end something about his eyes changing colors when he died.