Maestro Tharp at St. Patricks in New York

[Corno Dolce]

Here's his own composition:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DNDDxFB2og

I just can't wait for it to get published.

[rovikered]

Spectacular !
I'd like to hear it 'in the flesh' or at least on a good CD recording through my Hi-Fi system.

[acc]

Impressive as ever. Stephen is really one of the great organists of our time.

[acc]

Here is another video at the same venue, with Mulet's Toccata (from Esquisses Byzantines): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVwQZttmkko.

My personal preference would be for a somewhat slower tempo (I love Hakim's version at the Sacré-Cœur, clocking at 6'34"!)—but still, among the faster versions, this is probably the clearest I've heard so far (most other fast versions tend to be downright muddy).

[dll927]

As for "muddy", what do you expect in a large cathedral with a long reverb time. I have often wondered why organists prefer showing off their virtuosity to playing music in such a way that the progress of the music comes through. Stop trying to chase an ambulance, and the music is sure to sound better.

Hear that, Virgil (and Diane)?

[acc]

That's precisely what makes Stephen's performance so amazing: it's not muddy, despite the speed and the acoustics of a cathedral.