Whoever has the rest of this program, PLEASE post it. I would die to hesr him play the Vierne Clair de Lune once again. I heard him play it twice in concerts, but, sad to say, he never recorded it.
I hope people realize Virgil was dying of cancer when he did these final concerts and it was very painful for him to even play the keys and sit there for that long
He wanted desperately to dedicate the final installment of the organ in the garden grove church. Sadly he died before he could achieve it. His passion for his music was unequaled in the organ. He was probably born in the wrong era but tried his best to reach the youth and knew that they are our only future.
I think VF knew his time was coming. Personally, I think PC is the male equivalent of breast cancer. VF knew he would soon cast off this earthly shell. He is now one of the great organists accompanying the choirs in heaven.
Virgil had a hand in creating the specs for the subsequent Hazel Wright organ in the Cathedral. A master of improv…..and playing complicated works from memory. He has no equal!
Everything Virgil said about the young chap he spoke with at the Filmore is the same as my experience. I was an aimless pot head hack musician in a rock band when I chanced to discover the Filmore albums. I was fascinated and completely ignorant of classical music. This new interest led me to attend a Fox concert in South Bend IN., around 1973. I was like that young chap. I met Virgil and shook his hand. It was not profound and it was not cinematic, but I knew that moment that something had to change. I began the serious study of piano, and took a music degree from Indiana University and Belmont U in Nashville. I went on to play and record three albums with the Christian rock group, Petra. I am writing this to say thank you, Virgil and I thank God for his grace. I know exactly what Virgil means when he speaks of "Bach's music coming straight from the lap of God".
I so miss this great humanitarian and organist... Ohhhhhhh to meet him on the other side.... How fantastic that will be... To be able to study at the feet of the great masters....
As a teenager, wild about the organ, I was able to attend 3 recitals by Virgil Fox, and met him twice. There was and will likely never be a level talent such as his. He was a prodigy, and had the ability to connect with his audience like nobody else in the organ world. Not knowing it at the time, I attended his last solo recital in Ocean Grove, NJ. Though heavily under the curse of cancer (as am I, stage 4 as I write this), he rose to the occasion as he always did. Not something that can be experienced fully through recordings alone.
Dry acoustic is always a test for an organist! Virgil’s amazing skill with rhythm and articulation are very evident! He was my inspiration back in the 50-60s!
Truly one of the most extraordinary musical talents of the 20th century and of many centuries. An incredible sense of rhythm. But also he was extraordinary “practicer ,” known to often spending 10, 12, 14 hrs a day practicing-and even more into the wee hours of the morning,before a concert..
I did notice in the comments that the Austin organ on which Fox plays in this video is “unused and unloved”. So typical of evangelical megachurches. It could be removed and revoiced to suit a more favorable acoustic, and the church (whose membership has gone down from something like 23,000 forty-plus years ago -- when this concert took place -- to slightly under 5,000) could make some money. If an organ isn’t used or tended, it deteriorates. Fox was a genius, to be sure, but he worked like a dog all his active life to get the results he was after. In the end, he lost the struggle against metastatic prostrate cancer. And playing from memory is worth the trouble. It frees the player to think in terms of sound and structure rather than of notes.
In 1957 Virgil Fox recorded a record and performed a couple of Sunday afternoon concerts at my home Lutheran Church in Chicago. I wish I could find that record today.
I never would of suspected Fox as being so underdeveloped in the use of his voice. He literally is tone deaf when he sings. Often the case with keyboard players.
He was approaching death's door during this memorable concert. I am not sure if many realize how I'll he was and yet he commanded the music, note-for-note, better than the best of them.
I thought it was strange that Virgil always wore a cape! When I asked him why, he said when he was done with a concert, he was often perspiring and many times at the reception after, he could get stuck greeting those fans near an open door or window which could lead to him getting a cold! Makes perfect sense! What a talented showman he was! I call him the Liberace of the pipe organ!!!
I was not lucky enough to have any serious interest in organ music while Virgil Fox was alive. But it was an album of music performed by Virgil Fox, along with an unplanned visit to the inner workings of a pipe organ that piqued an interest that has come to dominate my life. Virgil Fox took on the organ project at the Crystal Cathedral, but died of cancer just short of its completion. But so motivated by the project he was, that doctors say it extended his life by six months. I finally got to hear this organ for myself, on a particularly fateful day-- the day that Dr. Schuller announced his resignation! (This was not planned or expected when a good friend and I attended what we thought would be a routine Sunday morning service.) The thing that I learned from these shows is how much of a Man of God Virgil Fox was, and this has created for me an all new level of respect. His performance of "Come Sweet Death" was indeed amazing. And his performance of the Toccata from Boellman's Suite Gothique-- a piece of music I am intimately familiar with-- sets a new standard for other performers to meet. You can see Mr. Fox smiling as he is performing! In any case, I am sure that Bach and Virgil Fox have played some great heavenly organ together for our King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
8 Errors in the pedal solo in c-major!
Whoever has the rest of this program, PLEASE post it. I would die to hesr him play the Vierne Clair de Lune once again. I heard him play it twice in concerts, but, sad to say, he never recorded it.
A while since I’ve heard such a load of old drivel. Great entertainer but completely unhinged. The Liberace of the organ.
I hope people realize Virgil was dying of cancer when he did these final concerts and it was very painful for him to even play the keys and sit there for that long
He wanted desperately to dedicate the final installment of the organ in the garden grove church. Sadly he died before he could achieve it. His passion for his music was unequaled in the organ. He was probably born in the wrong era but tried his best to reach the youth and knew that they are our only future.
Virgil could play over 200 works from memory!
I was there for this service. Wow..
I think VF knew his time was coming. Personally, I think PC is the male equivalent of breast cancer. VF knew he would soon cast off this earthly shell. He is now one of the great organists accompanying the choirs in heaven.
Tacky solicitation.
A dry church is a curse to a good organ and a great organist. It is tough even on the best of choirs B
I miss him in the worst way I honestly believe he was Bach reincarnated. He had the heart and soul. Hard at times not to get emotional.
I always can’t help but think that he is partly black. Amazing organist.
Where is the audio, I want to HEAR the music!!??
Virgil had a hand in creating the specs for the subsequent Hazel Wright organ in the Cathedral. A master of improv…..and playing complicated works from memory. He has no equal!
Everything Virgil said about the young chap he spoke with at the Filmore is the same as my experience. I was an aimless pot head hack musician in a rock band when I chanced to discover the Filmore albums. I was fascinated and completely ignorant of classical music. This new interest led me to attend a Fox concert in South Bend IN., around 1973. I was like that young chap. I met Virgil and shook his hand. It was not profound and it was not cinematic, but I knew that moment that something had to change. I began the serious study of piano, and took a music degree from Indiana University and Belmont U in Nashville. I went on to play and record three albums with the Christian rock group, Petra. I am writing this to say thank you, Virgil and I thank God for his grace. I know exactly what Virgil means when he speaks of "Bach's music coming straight from the lap of God".
I so miss this great humanitarian and organist... Ohhhhhhh to meet him on the other side.... How fantastic that will be... To be able to study at the feet of the great masters....
virgil was the BEST
As a teenager, wild about the organ, I was able to attend 3 recitals by Virgil Fox, and met him twice. There was and will likely never be a level talent such as his. He was a prodigy, and had the ability to connect with his audience like nobody else in the organ world. Not knowing it at the time, I attended his last solo recital in Ocean Grove, NJ. Though heavily under the curse of cancer (as am I, stage 4 as I write this), he rose to the occasion as he always did. Not something that can be experienced fully through recordings alone.
Dry acoustic is always a test for an organist! Virgil’s amazing skill with rhythm and articulation are very evident! He was my inspiration back in the 50-60s!
“IS” very evident… my sister headed up an English department!
i was familiar with e. power biggs before is knew about fox.
A musical evangelist.
I still believe he is Bach re-incarnated. I believe he did well with Carlo Curley and John Rose
The. Master. Of. The. Pipe. Organ. Virgil. Fox. Is. The. Greatest
Virgil. Fox. Plays The. Organ. With. Great. Skill. And. Precision
Truly one of the most extraordinary musical talents of the 20th century and of many centuries. An incredible sense of rhythm. But also he was extraordinary “practicer ,” known to often spending 10, 12, 14 hrs a day practicing-and even more into the wee hours of the morning,before a concert..
Legendarisch
Virgil Fox was so long-winded he could have supplied the air to the entire organ.
Virgil. Fox. Is. The. Greatest. Organist. Of. All. Time. He Will. Be. Missed.
They. Should. Do. A. Cd Of. All. Of. Virgil Fox’s. Recordings. To. Honor One. Of. Greatest. Organist. Of. All. Time.
@@rogersteigleman4785 is something wrong with your punctuation key?
I love these guys, their ideas and dreams were big and bold!!
I did notice in the comments that the Austin organ on which Fox plays in this video is “unused and unloved”. So typical of evangelical megachurches. It could be removed and revoiced to suit a more favorable acoustic, and the church (whose membership has gone down from something like 23,000 forty-plus years ago -- when this concert took place -- to slightly under 5,000) could make some money. If an organ isn’t used or tended, it deteriorates. Fox was a genius, to be sure, but he worked like a dog all his active life to get the results he was after. In the end, he lost the struggle against metastatic prostrate cancer. And playing from memory is worth the trouble. It frees the player to think in terms of sound and structure rather than of notes.
I wondered about that. I lived for a number of years in Phoenix until 2010, and never knew of this massive instrument at North Phoenix Baptist Church.
As Virgil once said,,"I see no problem touching the man next to you" lol,,, He's gayer than i am, ha ha,,, i had a chance to meet him , very nice guy
In 1957 Virgil Fox recorded a record and performed a couple of Sunday afternoon concerts at my home Lutheran Church in Chicago. I wish I could find that record today.
When was this recorded?
I have that disc. But, mine is conventional black. It’s still a knock out disc.
My late friend Andy Crow used to travel with Virgil when he toured with the Rodgers organ. Heard all sorts of stories 😂
I'm just curious did Sebastian Bach die in 1750 or is that not correct just curious.
I never would of suspected Fox as being so underdeveloped in the use of his voice. He literally is tone deaf when he sings. Often the case with keyboard players.
He was approaching death's door during this memorable concert. I am not sure if many realize how I'll he was and yet he commanded the music, note-for-note, better than the best of them.
No one like him - ever! Always began each program with Bach's, "Deck Thyself, My Soul."
I thought it was strange that Virgil always wore a cape! When I asked him why, he said when he was done with a concert, he was often perspiring and many times at the reception after, he could get stuck greeting those fans near an open door or window which could lead to him getting a cold! Makes perfect sense! What a talented showman he was! I call him the Liberace of the pipe organ!!!
These dudes are creepy as all get out.
music starts aat 11:53. your welcome.
This is only the first half (just for context).
Maestro Fox was the guv’nor!
I was not lucky enough to have any serious interest in organ music while Virgil Fox was alive. But it was an album of music performed by Virgil Fox, along with an unplanned visit to the inner workings of a pipe organ that piqued an interest that has come to dominate my life. Virgil Fox took on the organ project at the Crystal Cathedral, but died of cancer just short of its completion. But so motivated by the project he was, that doctors say it extended his life by six months. I finally got to hear this organ for myself, on a particularly fateful day-- the day that Dr. Schuller announced his resignation! (This was not planned or expected when a good friend and I attended what we thought would be a routine Sunday morning service.) The thing that I learned from these shows is how much of a Man of God Virgil Fox was, and this has created for me an all new level of respect. His performance of "Come Sweet Death" was indeed amazing. And his performance of the Toccata from Boellman's Suite Gothique-- a piece of music I am intimately familiar with-- sets a new standard for other performers to meet. You can see Mr. Fox smiling as he is performing! In any case, I am sure that Bach and Virgil Fox have played some great heavenly organ together for our King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Ambassador Fox
Vox Celeste stop
Virgil Fox. Great artist! Spectacular music!
quite the showman.
Was a big thrill to hear him perform live. He's one of the reasons I continued my organ studies becoming organist at several churches.
Is that Mrs. Hazel Wright sitting up there?
@bombarde1701@: According to what I heard, the Haze Wright organ was in the new church (The Crystal Cathedral) that was completed in the early 1980s