The Wurlitzer Tibia(s) went in when the organ was in the pizza parlour in San Diego. It/they came out and were replaced by the original Møller Tibia(s) when the organ moved to Pasadena in 1980 - thank goodness, because Wurlitzer never made a Tibia half as good as the big Møller 15" and 20" examples, which are of truly colossal scale. Reg Foort was at the opening concert and opined that the organ had finally found its home.
This Moller organ used to be here in the UK as a portable travelling instrument, packed up and shipped around in trucks to different venues. It belonged to a famous organist called Reginald Foort .This was also the only Moller ever imported to the UK and its nice to see its still about and played back home in the US.
Thanks. The Moller is the pipe organ. The black console is a Walker digital theatre organ, so there are actually two consoles playing two different instruments.
5:50 is where the composition comes together. I was fortunate to visit the Auditorium when David Junchen and crew were starting installation of the Moller organ. Huge ramps up to the chambers to move the "movable" Moller to its final home. Thanks to the crews that keep this instrument playing. Once again, superb playing by two of our greats!
It was Reginald Foort's 5/28 touring organ - somewhere different every week! During the war, the BBC's own 4/25 Compton theatre organ was destroyed (in the 1st air raid on London): the BBC acquired the organ from Foort and installed it in a theatre in North Wales. After the war, it moved to a redundant Methodist church in Hoxton, East London, thence to the Netherlands and later Pasadena. There's a 4/42 in the Atlanta Fox and a 3/16 in the War Memorial Theatre, Trenton NJ. There may be others!
Wow Carl, your right. You can't tell the different between the Mollers air driven pipes and the Walkers digital speaker system array. It sounds like one instrument. Thanks for asking me to watch this as I'm impressed with Walkers digital technology, it's incredibly accurate.
Octave4. My mistake on the organ in Texas. I was thinking of the organ I used to play in the Akron Civic Theatre. It was a 319 Wurlitzer. The one in McKinney Texas is a 317, also a Wurlitzer. The one in Akron was only a 313 back in the "50,s) when I played on it.
LLandudno in north wales! It was lent to the BBC in 1938 and they installed it in the Grand theatre for broadcasting during the war. BBC purchased it in 1941 and was installed in Studios in London. It was then sold in the early 60's to NRU dutch Radio Union. It finally went to america in 1971, first to San Diego then in 1979 here at Pasadena
As someone who has heard high quality electronic & Pipe Organs played live by people like George Wright, Virgil Fox and most between, for decades- don't sell Electronics short the best of the bunch have always been top drawer. These days the Digitals are better than ever. Check CD's of the Allen Theatre vs identical Pipe works made by George Wright, listen to the same cuts side by side. At least 99% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Excellent work by Jelani & Rob!
I'm trying to decide if it would be feasible to bring in a digital theatre organ to our new Warren Theater in Moore, Ok for a silent movie night. If you are not familiar with Warren they built a multiscreen megaplex designed on an Egyptian 1920's movie palace. Its complete with ushers wearing suits and caps. The foyer to the bathrooms has a working fireplace. The curtains go up in all 14 theatres. The middle theatres have a balcony. You walk in and believe you have been time transported.
@theonejrs It's not just secondary harmonics, and those HAVE to be tough to pick out on a UA-cam video! The massing and trem effects are different on the windblown Moller. A closer to reality sound could be created with sampled trems. One thing I noticed on the Moller that had to be a throwback from its British days was the fast trem on the solo Tuba. Brits love their trems fast. I understand there was a WurliTzer Tibia transplant into the Moller. It sure shows.
Some organs can have as much as 10 manuals,although I have only seen 5 manuals as on these videos,but they are basically,great instruments,God is the one who gave us the idea for these wonderful instruments.
Actually, the largest organ in the world (in terms of pipes) at Atlantic City has 7, and the pipe organ was invented by an Ancient Greek, Cstebius, and while I believe they have have been used in temples, were primarily a secular instrument until the 9th century or so.
So this happens to be an M.P. Moller theater pipe organ? Very Impressive. I think of M.P. Mollers as being classical church pipe organs. That's something new to me.
I think that Wurlitzer tibias (many examples, at least) were and are very , however, this organ was voiced to play using tibias of a very large scale. Smaller-scaled tibias just wouldn't handle the ensemble as well. Not sure who decided to replace the tibias, but that isn't always the best idea. Glad it got the originals back.
@SuperElBorba I'm hunting for details on all former pipe organ pizza parlors. Could you possibly send me a PM, and perhaps you'd know some concrete details on the Organ Power Pizza restaurants?
are both of these consoles digital? Or is one one a real organ? And i like Jonas Nordwalls version of this by himself on the Wurlitzer at the Mesa Arizona "Organ Stop Pizza" organ. Wich is a digital console to a elaborate collection of new and old pipes. Good tune. PS im guessing that Rob is on the black console, cuz i know hes a Walker organ rep. Im just wondering about the moller.
Octave. I have no objection to electronic organs. I have one. The only drawback to pipe organs is the initial cost, and then the upkeep. I have been part of reconstruction of two pipe organs. One, a 3/19 that our club recently installed in the Mckinney performing Arts Center in Mckinney, Texas.
The pipe organ in this recording was built as a moveable touring organ in 1938 by the M P Moeller company for organist Reginald Foort. It took 4-6 trucks to move it. From 1938-1941 it was move 167 times. It was loaned to the BBC in 1946 when their studio organ was destroyed by bombing. It was later moved to a London church. It was then sold to the Dutch Radio Staton in the 1960’s. Later still it went to a Pizza restaurant in San Diego. It finally was installed in Pasadena. Reginald Foort attended the dedication. He died a little over a month layet
We have a Moller theatre organ here in Oklahoma at Oklahoma U. Hope great things for it and the artform of theatre pipe organ. So many classical organists are afraid to admit their appreciation of the theatre organ. Such attitudes are passe indeed! The theatre organ is of the highest calibre and has always been so. Music is political like all things...but it is just ignorant not to be impressed with such excellence as above!
@kinura4 Having owned (and built) Pipe organs, Electronic (analog) organs and VirTual Theater Organs, in my opinion there is one more drawback to pipes..for some of us. Theater pipe organs need space for tone to mix and develop. Listen to the best sounding theater organs in the chambers, and they sound awful. In most homes, it is like listening to the organ right outside the chamber, cuz that's where you are. VirTuals take away the need for all that mixing space, though they still need some.
Foort sold more records than Crawford in the prewar era - and kept his career going long after Crawford's had died. When Crawford came to the UK, he was not that highly regarded. Larsen was very much a continuation of Wright's style - and Wright's playing didn't owe much to Crawford. Frankly, it was far better than Crawford IMO. As for Jesse Crawford playing a Hammond - I can't think of many things I would like to hear less. I can't stand Hammonds.
Hmm Are you implying that pipes exhibit sympathetic vibration which -can be heard- by humans? OK. I believe the sound differences you hear in a pipe organ are due to the size of the resonators, vs the size of wee speakers in an electronic instruments.
Just exactly who do you think Foort,Larsen,and Wright paid humble homage to for their careers? 'Better' is a subjective term misused by critics. Don't limit yourself! I don't.
Formal music training does not give a musical edge if one is not creative. Jesse was creative and so was one other' unschooled' master- Erroll Garner. It's about feel, then it's about the notes, then it's about feel again. If you don't get the genius of Jesse Crawford it's too bad. Listen to one album, and it's not even him playing a theater organ- I posted the whole album in two sides> Jesse Crawford - Remembering , Hammond Organ & Harp accompaniment by Ann Stockton . I can't make you feel.OK?
Crawford? A man who had no formal musical training and couldn't register without three tremming Tibias? Come on... there were then and are now far better theatre organists around. Reginald Foort, Quentin Maclean and Sidney Torch, on the 1920s/30s British scene - George Wright of course - Lyn Larsen, Lew Williams, Jelani Eddington...
I really wish you would post more on here. You are so gifted. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
The Wurlitzer Tibia(s) went in when the organ was in the pizza parlour in San Diego. It/they came out and were replaced by the original Møller Tibia(s) when the organ moved to Pasadena in 1980 - thank goodness, because Wurlitzer never made a Tibia half as good as the big Møller 15" and 20" examples, which are of truly colossal scale. Reg Foort was at the opening concert and opined that the organ had finally found its home.
I had the good fortune to be allowed to play the Moeller late one night long ago. Thanks again Steve
I love this video. I watch often. These two artist are amazing individuals but when paired together they become an awesome team.
This Moller organ used to be here in the UK as a portable travelling instrument, packed up and shipped around in trucks to different venues.
It belonged to a famous organist called Reginald Foort .This was also the only Moller ever imported to the UK and its nice to see its still about and played back home in the US.
Thanks. The Moller is the pipe organ. The black console is a Walker digital theatre organ, so there are actually two consoles playing two different instruments.
The Moller is the white console. The Walker digital organ is the black console.
A great arrangement for two organs! Such duets are often just thrown together...this was obviously arranged and practised. Thanks for the video!
Truly amazing organists!! This is an awesome selection of music for theater organ!!
5:50 is where the composition comes together. I was fortunate to visit the Auditorium when David Junchen and crew were starting installation of the Moller organ. Huge ramps up to the chambers to move the "movable" Moller to its final home. Thanks to the crews that keep this instrument playing. Once again, superb playing by two of our greats!
I remember when he came to Cleveland hi in Oregon for our conversation still love hearing him
This Moller was installed in the Grand theatre in llandudno between 1938 & 1941.
great to see it still going. fantastic instrument
It was Reginald Foort's 5/28 touring organ - somewhere different every week! During the war, the BBC's own 4/25 Compton theatre organ was destroyed (in the 1st air raid on London): the BBC acquired the organ from Foort and installed it in a theatre in North Wales. After the war, it moved to a redundant Methodist church in Hoxton, East London, thence to the Netherlands and later Pasadena. There's a 4/42 in the Atlanta Fox and a 3/16 in the War Memorial Theatre, Trenton NJ. There may be others!
Wow Carl, your right. You can't tell the different between the Mollers air driven pipes and the Walkers digital speaker system array. It sounds like one instrument. Thanks for asking me to watch this as I'm impressed with Walkers digital technology, it's incredibly accurate.
Octave4. My mistake on the organ in Texas. I was thinking of the organ I used to play in the Akron Civic Theatre. It was a 319 Wurlitzer. The one in McKinney Texas is a 317, also a Wurlitzer. The one in Akron was only a 313 back in the "50,s) when I played on it.
LLandudno in north wales! It was lent to the BBC in 1938 and they installed it in the Grand theatre for broadcasting during the war. BBC purchased it in 1941 and was installed in Studios in London. It was then sold in the early 60's to NRU dutch Radio Union. It finally went to america in 1971, first to San Diego then in 1979 here at Pasadena
Yes it was. Now permanently installed at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
As someone who has heard high quality electronic & Pipe Organs played live by people like George Wright, Virgil Fox and most between, for decades- don't sell Electronics short the best of the bunch have always been top drawer. These days the Digitals are better than ever. Check CD's of the Allen Theatre vs identical Pipe works made by George Wright, listen to the same cuts side by side. At least 99% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Excellent work by Jelani & Rob!
The Moller is a Pipe Organ, the Walker is a digital Theatre Organ. Both Magnificent instruments in anyone's book.
Six minutes and forty eight seconds of absolute perfection !
Super excellent with very good interesting video
I'm trying to decide if it would be feasible to bring in a digital theatre organ to our new Warren Theater in Moore, Ok for a silent movie night. If you are not familiar with Warren they built a multiscreen megaplex designed on an Egyptian 1920's movie palace. Its complete with ushers wearing suits and caps. The foyer to the bathrooms has a working fireplace. The curtains go up in all 14 theatres. The middle theatres have a balcony. You walk in and believe you have been time transported.
@theonejrs It's not just secondary harmonics, and those HAVE to be tough to pick out on a UA-cam video! The massing and trem effects are different on the windblown Moller. A closer to reality sound could be created with sampled trems. One thing I noticed on the Moller that had to be a throwback from its British days was the fast trem on the solo Tuba. Brits love their trems fast. I understand there was a WurliTzer Tibia transplant into the Moller. It sure shows.
Some organs can have as much as 10 manuals,although I have only seen 5 manuals as on these videos,but they are basically,great instruments,God is the one who gave us the idea for these wonderful instruments.
Actually, the largest organ in the world (in terms of pipes) at Atlantic City has 7, and the pipe organ was invented by an Ancient Greek, Cstebius, and while I believe they have have been used in temples, were primarily a secular instrument until the 9th century or so.
The old Chicago Stadium Barton had 7 manuals.
So this happens to be an M.P. Moller theater pipe organ? Very Impressive. I think of M.P. Mollers as being classical church pipe organs. That's something new to me.
Jelani is awesome!!
2:00 up to 3:05 best part for me, got no words to describe how these wonderful chords match
Outstanding
You are soooo right. There is a "presense" that simply cannot be reproduced electronicaly.
Easy, Rob Richards owns the Walker. It is his touring organ.
I think that Wurlitzer tibias (many examples, at least) were and are very , however, this organ was voiced to play using tibias of a very large scale. Smaller-scaled tibias just wouldn't handle the ensemble as well. Not sure who decided to replace the tibias, but that isn't always the best idea. Glad it got the originals back.
REALLY? WOW! That's worth visiting Moore, OK. That would make a fortune in the right areas. Are you an organist?
@SuperElBorba I'm hunting for details on all former pipe organ pizza parlors. Could you possibly send me a PM, and perhaps you'd know some concrete details on the Organ Power Pizza restaurants?
are both of these consoles digital? Or is one one a real organ? And i like Jonas Nordwalls version of this by himself on the Wurlitzer at the Mesa Arizona "Organ Stop Pizza" organ. Wich is a digital console to a elaborate collection of new and old pipes. Good tune. PS im guessing that Rob is on the black console, cuz i know hes a Walker organ rep. Im just wondering about the moller.
Unbelievable!!
Whoa Fun!
Octave. I have no objection to electronic organs. I have one. The only drawback to pipe organs is the initial cost, and then the upkeep. I have been part of reconstruction of two pipe organs. One, a 3/19 that our club recently installed in the Mckinney performing Arts Center in Mckinney, Texas.
this organ was made for a studio in our country, the netherlands......... for the organist cor steyn. as far as I know.
The pipe organ in this recording was built as a moveable touring organ in 1938 by the M P Moeller company for organist Reginald Foort. It took 4-6 trucks to move it. From 1938-1941 it was move 167 times. It was loaned to the BBC in 1946 when their studio organ was destroyed by bombing. It was later moved to a London church. It was then sold to the Dutch Radio Staton in the 1960’s. Later still it went to a Pizza restaurant in San Diego. It finally was installed in Pasadena. Reginald Foort attended the dedication. He died a little over a month layet
We have a Moller theatre organ here in Oklahoma at Oklahoma U. Hope great things for it and the artform of theatre pipe organ. So many classical organists are afraid to admit their appreciation of the theatre organ. Such attitudes are passe indeed! The theatre organ is of the highest calibre and has always been so. Music is political like all things...but it is just ignorant not to be impressed with such excellence as above!
Were both consoles sharing the same sets of pipes??
@kinura4 Having owned (and built) Pipe organs, Electronic (analog) organs and VirTual Theater Organs, in my opinion there is one more drawback to pipes..for some of us. Theater pipe organs need space for tone to mix and develop. Listen to the best sounding theater organs in the chambers, and they sound awful. In most homes, it is like listening to the organ right outside the chamber, cuz that's where you are. VirTuals take away the need for all that mixing space, though they still need some.
If you'd listen to any 10 songs Jesse Crawford played you'd have a completely different respect for organs and probably even listen more.
Foort sold more records than Crawford in the prewar era - and kept his career going long after Crawford's had died. When Crawford came to the UK, he was not that highly regarded. Larsen was very much a continuation of Wright's style - and Wright's playing didn't owe much to Crawford. Frankly, it was far better than Crawford IMO. As for Jesse Crawford playing a Hammond - I can't think of many things I would like to hear less. I can't stand Hammonds.
@steamrocks Brits love there trems useable, and not to sound miserable! Theres a limit on how fast, they arent all that fast!
Seems to be influenced by Larry "Synergy" Fast's version from 1975!
Hmm Are you implying that pipes exhibit sympathetic vibration which -can be heard- by humans? OK. I believe the sound differences you hear in a pipe organ are due to the size of the resonators, vs the size of wee speakers in an electronic instruments.
Just exactly who do you think Foort,Larsen,and Wright paid humble homage to for their careers? 'Better' is a subjective term misused by critics. Don't limit yourself! I don't.
Formal music training does not give a musical edge if one is not creative. Jesse was creative and so was one other' unschooled' master- Erroll Garner. It's about feel, then it's about the notes, then it's about feel again. If you don't get the genius of Jesse Crawford it's too bad. Listen to one album, and it's not even him playing a theater organ- I posted the whole album in two sides> Jesse Crawford - Remembering , Hammond Organ & Harp accompaniment by Ann Stockton . I can't make you feel.OK?
caps
Crawford? A man who had no formal musical training and couldn't register without three tremming Tibias? Come on... there were then and are now far better theatre organists around. Reginald Foort, Quentin Maclean and Sidney Torch, on the 1920s/30s British scene - George Wright of course - Lyn Larsen, Lew Williams, Jelani Eddington...