Fred Swann. Showman?? Absolutely not! But, he can, Boy can he! This guy has more tricks up his sleeve than Ft. Knox has gold!!!!! Mr. Swann, you have been blessed!!!
Condolences on the loss of your uncle. As a pipe organ fan, I first learned about him from seeing him on TV, but later heard him interviewed on MPR’s PIpedreams. He had a quick wit and a wry way of recounting events that impressed me. He was already “up in years,” as they say, when he could still perform Healey Willan’s Passacaglia from memory. What a talent!
Some of the comments here seem to have been written by very sour, unhappy people. This piece was improvised originally for a televised broadcast, and the producers wanted something that would showcase organ/organist VISUALLY. Frederick Swann is usually a modest, "music comes first" kind of virtuoso, but here, he gave the producers what they asked for...in spades! What's so wrong with that on occasion?
I actually like Tom Leonard's playing better, but he is good, guess my next trip to the desert, I may have to attend St Margret's, I've only been to St Paul's of the desert in Palm Springs and with the one way streets in Palm Springs getting there, it might be easier to drive to Palm Desert
You know, sometimes I feel embarrassed to admit that as much as I love the instrument, and many of its great artists, there sre so many buttholes either in the craft, or who are just plain fans. Cliques of prissy little fruitcakes ... many of whom don't even play that well. Fred Swanns are few and far between! Thank you Mr. Swann.
I've read many of the comments and it seems to me that you are the one with 'sour grapes'. It's a great video and an inspiring performance! Stop looking for the negative!
"Show Off" ? Fred Swann is the absolute definitive of who and what a professional organist is all about..... Thank You, Fred ! John Carleton, Sacramento Ca.
☝️👌👍🏼 As a Pipe Organ Fanatics I Have Herd The Best & The Honorably Presents at the Pipe Organ Truly Goes To Mr Fred Swann. What A True Music Artist Fred Swan is.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✅
Those of you who complain about the "bunny hops"/ Waterfalling, whatever you may call it. There is nothing wrong in introducing a little fun, entertainment and showmanship in a live performance. It is not intended normally to be taken seriously, although it may be done to accentuate rhythm in certain situations.
At this point the applause was added afterwards to mask the fact the crowd was so small. Also the crowd shots were from ground level so as to hide the small crowds.
Fred is well aware of the damage -- he had to be aware of it as many portions of the South Gallery were non funtioning when he played there in ay 2013. The Diocese has committed to full restoration ... so we can only hope "Hazel" will be restored to her full glory...
I agree but the improvised three-manual "jump" at roughly 2:00 is quite impressive. I had heard recordings of Fred playing this but never actually saw him do it until this video was posted. I had always wondered how he did it. Not bad for a man in his 80s!!
i cannot understand all of the whining about what Fred is doing in this video. Who died, and made you critics of Mr. Swann the musical taste's current King or Queen, as the case may be??? Are we just a little JEALOUS of his technique, all of you complainers??? You try to make HIM small, because YOU are small, in character. This is NOT JUST a worship service. The man is the GUEST organist, NOT the staff organist. and as such, he is more than entitled to use a bit of showmanship in his playing. Is the congregation SINGING while he is playing???? NO, because he is playing HIS setting of the hymn, PERIOD. So, stop all of your nasty, whiny, jealous, immature non-Christian idiotic comments about one of the finer organists of our generation.
This organ greatly disappoints me every time I hear it. Ruffati organ components are too harsh-sounding for my tastes and should never have been combined with the more refined A-S ranks in the core instrument. Also, the acoustics are terrible, presumably because of all the glass. The overall sound is "brassy." The final indignity is how this organ has suffered environmentally. I've really been hoping that the new owners sell this organ with the A-S core relocated to a better sounding venue.
What I just sent, written by the archbishop in England, summarizes my total loathing of vulgarity in worship, bunny hops, night club style, Hollywood schmaltz. Our greatest gifts are paltry, so goes the Bible, but at least let's try reverence.
Go home. You have no more talent in your whole self than Professor Swann has in the tip of his pinkey finger. Folks like you don’t know the meaning of grace.
This kind of loud slop passes for "improvisation" at too many churches in America. A word to young organists watching this video who are thinking of imitating it this coming Sunday: just play what's in the hymnal; we will all thank you.
No sir, Professor Swann, as a guest organist, played a superb version of the song. Generally folks who are innately jealous of another’s talents make the kind of comments you made.
The descending showman keys at the end do nothing for the majesty intended in that greatly inspired hymn. Where is the spiritual connection between this organist and the hymn and God?
@carolyn charter you sound like a damn bag of hot air. Go home. The rendition here was incredible. Stop bringing your perceived spirituality into this.
I still say that the bunny hops are a vulgar vulgar addition the great majesty of the song. And again the descending showman keys is quite Hollywoodized schmaltz. The idea of an organ in the first place was to offer unto God a reverent sacrifice, and to provide a venue that focuses on God. What a commercialized, Mickey Moused distraction.
May your music continue to inspire others around the word. Rest in peace
Fred Swann. Showman?? Absolutely not! But, he can, Boy can he! This guy has more tricks up his sleeve than Ft. Knox has gold!!!!! Mr. Swann, you have been blessed!!!
Iconic piece of organ music!
Condolences on the loss of your uncle. As a pipe organ fan, I first learned about him from seeing him on TV, but later heard him interviewed on MPR’s PIpedreams. He had a quick wit and a wry way of recounting events that impressed me. He was already “up in years,” as they say, when he could still perform Healey Willan’s Passacaglia from memory. What a talent!
Swann's real skill was his registrations. He really knew how to bring out the best on any organ he played.
Some of the comments here seem to have been written by very sour, unhappy people. This piece was improvised originally for a televised broadcast, and the producers wanted something that would showcase organ/organist VISUALLY. Frederick Swann is usually a modest, "music comes first" kind of virtuoso, but here, he gave the producers what they asked for...in spades! What's so wrong with that on occasion?
I actually like Tom Leonard's playing better, but he is good, guess my next trip to the desert, I may have to attend St Margret's, I've only been to St Paul's of the desert in Palm Springs and with the one way streets in Palm Springs getting there, it might be easier to drive to Palm Desert
If you have something to show, then show it.
With an organ and organist of this caliber, why not let it all out?
You know, sometimes I feel embarrassed to admit that as much as I love the instrument, and many of its great artists, there sre so many buttholes either in the craft, or who are just plain fans.
Cliques of prissy little fruitcakes ... many of whom don't even play that well.
Fred Swanns are few and far between! Thank you Mr. Swann.
I've read many of the comments and it seems to me that you are the one with 'sour grapes'. It's a great video and an inspiring performance! Stop looking for the negative!
The people complaining don’t have the talent in their whole body that Fred has in the tip of his pinkey. Seems it always works this way….
I can only hope this instrument will come back to life and be better in tune come next year. Planning a trip just to hear it!
"Show Off" ? Fred Swann is the absolute definitive of who and what a professional organist is all about..... Thank You, Fred !
John Carleton, Sacramento Ca.
We live in Virginia, but years ago when we visited the Chrystal Cathedral, we loved to hear the Hazel-Write Organ when it was in a Protestant church.
Amazing talent. Thank you.
I enjoyed seeing more than one or two manuals used on the organ
☝️👌👍🏼 As a Pipe Organ Fanatics I Have Herd The Best & The Honorably Presents at the Pipe Organ Truly Goes To Mr Fred Swann. What A True Music Artist Fred Swan is.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✅
Those of you who complain about the "bunny hops"/ Waterfalling, whatever you may call it. There is nothing wrong in introducing a little fun, entertainment and showmanship in a live performance. It is not intended normally to be taken seriously, although it may be done to accentuate rhythm in certain situations.
They only complain because they don’t have the talent to do it themselves. Virgil Fox had much to say about these types but I don’t dare repeat it.
Would love to hear him again in person with the newly restored Rufatti when its completed.
At this point the applause was added afterwards to mask the fact the crowd was so small. Also the crowd shots were from ground level so as to hide the small crowds.
FANTASTIC.....
Fred is well aware of the damage -- he had to be aware of it as many portions of the South Gallery were non funtioning when he played there in ay 2013. The Diocese has committed to full restoration ... so we can only hope "Hazel" will be restored to her full glory...
I agree but the improvised three-manual "jump" at roughly 2:00 is quite impressive. I had heard recordings of Fred playing this but never actually saw him do it until this video was posted. I had always wondered how he did it. Not bad for a man in his 80s!!
can we get some praise up in here -- Wave your hands if you love God! Come on everybody, clap your hands! .... Finally, the HoP is back oin track
Love his bunny hops!
Redlands Univ. Is where Leslie Spelman taught organ when I was a kid.
Fantastic
The “bunny hops” remind me of that great echo effect Benjamin Britten wrote into A Ceremony of Carols.
i cannot understand all of the whining about what Fred is doing in this video. Who died, and made you critics of Mr. Swann the musical taste's current King or Queen, as the case may be??? Are we just a little JEALOUS of his technique, all of you complainers??? You try to make HIM small, because YOU are small, in character. This is NOT JUST a worship service. The man is the GUEST organist, NOT the staff organist. and as such, he is more than entitled to use a bit of showmanship in his playing. Is the congregation SINGING while he is playing???? NO, because he is playing HIS setting of the hymn, PERIOD. So, stop all of your nasty, whiny, jealous, immature non-Christian idiotic comments about one of the finer organists of our generation.
Music: 1:05
I wonder how many tubas he had on this piece he really made it rumble
Youu got that right Jon -- Great to see you on here! Are you on facebook? Send me a message here and let me know!
Show off!
organ worship
Bunny hops scarcely do grace to such a majestic hymn to the great Lord of all. Carolyn Charter aka Organ in the Soul
Maravilloso órgano lastima que ahora pertenezca ha la iglesia católica.
no seas ridículo.
This organ greatly disappoints me every time I hear it. Ruffati organ components are too harsh-sounding for my tastes and should never have been combined with the more refined A-S ranks in the core instrument. Also, the acoustics are terrible, presumably because of all the glass. The overall sound is "brassy." The final indignity is how this organ has suffered environmentally. I've really been hoping that the new owners sell this organ with the A-S core relocated to a better sounding venue.
The acoustics in the newly renovated cathedral are amazing. The organ should have far better acoustic. I guess we will see ok the 17th of July on EWTN
Organ and brass are a great combination.
with wig
What I just sent, written by the archbishop in England, summarizes my total loathing of vulgarity in worship, bunny hops, night club style, Hollywood schmaltz. Our greatest gifts are paltry, so goes the Bible, but at least let's try reverence.
Go home. You have no more talent in your whole self than Professor Swann has in the tip of his pinkey finger. Folks like you don’t know the meaning of grace.
I agree. This performance was too clever by half.
what a cheap stuff
This kind of loud slop passes for "improvisation" at too many churches in America. A word to young organists watching this video who are thinking of imitating it this coming Sunday: just play what's in the hymnal; we will all thank you.
No sir, Professor Swann, as a guest organist, played a superb version of the song. Generally folks who are innately jealous of another’s talents make the kind of comments you made.
The descending showman keys at the end do nothing for the majesty intended in that greatly inspired hymn. Where is the spiritual connection between this organist and the hymn and God?
Carolyn Charter did you really write this question? Read the words to the hymn and see how it represents the words to our ears.
+Carolyn Charter You sound like lots of fun.
@carolyn charter you sound like a damn bag of hot air. Go home. The rendition here was incredible. Stop bringing your perceived spirituality into this.
I still say that the bunny hops are a vulgar vulgar addition the great majesty of the song. And again the descending showman keys is quite Hollywoodized schmaltz. The idea of an organ in the first place was to offer unto God a reverent sacrifice, and to provide a venue that focuses on God. What a commercialized, Mickey Moused distraction.
you're a distraction to this video
You’re the Mickey Mouse and worse, the stooge. Go home.
Who made you ‘sheriff of vulgar’?