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| Virgil Fox Plays the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ | 
 enlarge | Artist: Virgil Fox
Label: See Music DVD
Category: Music
Buy New: $22.99
New (4) from $22.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 11824
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
UPC: 803680534991
EAN: 0803680534991
ASIN: B0002QO364
Release Date: August 10, 2004
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Tracks:
| • | Fanfares from Parsifal | | • | Carillon de Westminster | | • | Come, Sweer Death | | • | Thou Art the Rock | | • | Pomp and Circumstance, March No. 1 | | • | Nocturne from Shylock | | • | Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
"Johann Sebastian Bach is glad you're here!" So Virgil Fox told his audience of 5,500 in St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco. The legendary organist played two "Bach Gamut" concerts, in all musical keys from A to G, in September 1976. This album is volume 1 of the recordings of those historic occasions. Never before released, it reminds us of the power of the artist, Virgil Fox; of the composer, J.S. Bach; and of the cathedral's Fratelli Ruffatti four-manual, 89-rank pipe organ, and the Rodgers 'Royal V" five-manual touring organ temporarily installed for these concerts. Crystal Rainbow created environmental lighting throughout the 200-foot high cathedral, inspired by Fox's "Heavy Organ" screen light show concerts. For the DVD-video, Marshall Yaeger's Kaleidoplex Digital Light Organ is used to create 16:9 widescreen visuals that relate artistically to Fox's dramatic music making. The 2.0 stereo CD is from a HDCD master, made from an original 3-channel analog recording. Dolby Digital 5.1 is featured on the surround sound remix for the DVD-Video disc.
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| Customer Reviews:
 The greatest organist playing the world's greatest organ!! November 6, 2004
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
This is an outstanding CD/DVD combo. The DVD contains many fun sections including a segement from a TV show in the 1970s called Evening Magazine where you see him at the console of this large instrument, along with voice over and some history of the large organ.
The audio tracks represent very well the dynamics of this organ from the full and methodical "Fanfares" to the somewhat mournful "Come, Sweet Death", to the bouncy march, "Pomp and Circumstances".
The absolute best track on this album is "Come, Sweet Death." The full rich sound of the swell and string divisions shine, and the sheer tonal spread of the 30,000 pipes comes through in this Bach favorite. This rendition was transposed specifically for this organ, and is Virgil Fox's favorite and best known song.
If you've ever heard this organ in real life, are a Fox fan, or just like organs, this CD is a must. I'll warn you, once you hear the John Wanamaker organ, every other instrument like it will just be considered a toy.
organ music December 13, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Wanamaker Organ is an Philadelphia as Philadelphia gets. The department store has changed hands several times over recent years, but the organ has remained.
It has been joked if the organ ever left Philadelphia, people would tear down the department store brick by brick.
If you never have an opportunity to see the real thing in action (which should be on a list of 100 things to do before you die), then get this CD.
Pipe organ music is an acquired taste, but it serves as genuine historic role in the development of music.
Even today, the organ draws 1000's of people during free shows held during the week, especially during the Christmas season with the accompanying light show.
 A good, solid, recording January 13, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
The organ itself may be of interest, as well as the music. There is a website maintained by the Friends, and nice writeups on the organ and John Wanamaker in Wikipedia.
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