1978 Schudi Organ - St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas

[@bryanhardy3311]

Dear Sir. This is the ideal organ in the proper musical sense. Having played the great organs of France, rest assured this Schudi organ competes equally with the best. Your acoustic is totally complementary and permits the Organ "full bloom" in the building. Oh that Church Authorities all over the world could listen to this masterpiece with an open mind.. We all have our favourite instrument, but it all comes back to the fact......you play the "room".....not the Organ. Thank you for this musical privilidge. Bryan Hardy. Australia.

[@materbrospianoorganco-mich2719]

Sweet lord I’m old. This was one of my first practice instruments that I would compose from. If it was not for Marvin and Bradley, I would not be the organist I am today. I still owe them many more thanks and the parish of St Thomas.

[@bryanhardy3311]

Upon listening once more (unusual for me) I am moved to say that this is the perfect "marriage" between "Man & Machine" ! Sir, I feel your "at oneness" with the tonal colours at your fingertips on this fine organ and sense your emotional involvement whilst playing. Thank you for taking the time to share your 'treasure" with the Organists of the World. B. Hardy (Aust).

[@MicksFlics]

Michael Conrady is a brilliantly talented & marvelous organist....wonderful demo with him & Brent J.!!

[@MrBanzoid]

"The most important organ stop is the room" Very true.

[@bryanhardy3311]

I must bow and reconsider my opinions of "jean clad organists". This man is at "one" with his instrument. Such feeling, such commitment, such passion. From an unshaven checked shirted man ? I am an old European Organist , steeped in tradition, nurtured by Schweitzer, yet I hear brilliance in this man ! Chric Australia.

[@peterfennema3112]

This is a lovely instrument. Each voice is unique and beautiful; every stop is important. Love the reeds!

[@fnersch3367]

Texas sure is a great state for organs. Where I live there are mostly atheists who could never even remotely appreciate such things as pipe organs. To further my own education I built a pipe organ myself. That was quite an experience to say the least. Thanks for this great series.

[@kontrahylian]

Absolutely tremendous Instrument. I remember back when I was younger I would always check out the recording of Todd Wilson playing the organ works of Maurice Duruflé from my local public library and absolutely falling in love with it. It was an absolute thrill and a dream come true to hear that instrument live during the 2019 Organ Historical Society Convention, having Alcée Chriss III play the Duruflé Toccata and following it with an encore of a transcription of Tea for Two by Art Tatum on that pipe organ was nothing short of a tremendous recital.

[@principals16842]

What an absolutely fascinating video of a very intriguing instrument. Brent, these videos keep getting better and better. Congratulations to you and OrganMedia, and thank you for producing and sharing them.

[@d.singler-kron9034]

Excellent organist.

[@bryanhardy3311]

I have listened several times to the tone of this Schudi Organ & each time I hear nuances that I did not here upon first listening. This builder should be given more commissions providing that the "room" has the same acoustic as here or , perhaps, 4-5 seconds....empty. This is as close to tonal perfection ( in the French manner) that one could ever expect. Vive la France! M.Conrady is a perfect "companion" to this divine instrument. Chris Australia.

[@mjfreeman]

I grew up with this organ it was installed while I was in 4th grade. I would go over at recess and watch the builders put it together. I remember the Sunday that the 16' Montre facade pipes were laying in the back pews and were something to see. The previous organ was a Hammond referred to as the clock radio so from that to the Schudi. People have talked about making changes to it but it remains as it was and never fails to impress after 41 years. Thanks for the amazing videos.

[@johnlandacre9881]

Michael Conrady, you’re an excellent organist. Kudos to you on that final piece. Very challenging, but played with ease and superbly. Thanks Brent Johnson, for showing us this organ. Wonderful sound, and such a nice reverb in the room.

[@georgemurphy2579]

Not wild about a lot of organ builders as of late, but this is a stunning instrument. I liked the fact that you demonstrated it using bits and pieces of actual literature, and not just scale passages! Thank you!!!

[@jlalbee]

When I first heard Wilson play Durufle back in 1987 I was absolutely floored by this instrument. Glad to see it is still making beautiful music under Dr. Conrady's able hands!

[@jgesselberty]

Gotta love an organist who looks like a lumber jack LOL Very accomplished.

[@chrisjohnson4045]

A newly hooded doctor, none the less!

[@williammitchell1864]

I too can pull that off looking like a lumberjack playing a pipe organ! I actually come from a lumberjack family, 2nd generation and I also play the organ/pipe organ.

[@michaelmiller1215]

I agree!

[@robertramsay5963]

At one time I worked with fallers and chokermen (lumberjacks) and they were small men who could easily run the other direction when the trees came down.

[@chrishoffman.organist]

ues and my Teacher as well! Very proud student!

[@electrolux101]

Amazing organ and organist.

[@garfixit]

What a nice organist I love the big sound beautiful pipes excellent video👍😀😀

[@pdk33624]

Michael: Impressive organist! God has blessed you. Extraordinary.

[@denovadiddeldorf8324]

Excellent, Excellent sound. Could hear this every sunday if I lived there. Amazing how the organist plays with no music on the rack at all. Very talented is putting it lightly. Saint Thomas Parish, hope you treat this guy exceptionally.

[@danielodhiambo1065]

WOW! This is Lovely, Inspiring, authentic sound.

[@principals16842]

That Todd Wilson Duruflé recording is my favorite organ recording of all time. Highly, highly recommended!

[@Mr05241948]

A very beautiful thrilling powerful and grand pipe organ

[@uncd2000]

I was a church organist myself in Dallas for many years. When I was not scheduled in my own parish, I often attended High Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas because of the excellent music there. At one point the keyboardist of the Dallas Symphony was organist there, and he often brought orchestra members with him on Sundays. Once there were two harpists. At least twice they performed the Vivaldi concerto for two trumpets at the Offertory. This selection was stunning in the reverberant church environment. They also had a wonderful choir at St. Thomas.

[@billraty14]

Kudos to the organist that can quote so much literature from memory! So nice to get a walk through of the voices of this instrument I first heard with Todd Wilson's Durufle recording.

[@Mr05241948]

Thanks for letting us hear this splendid pipe organ in it's full grandeur. BEAUTIFUL and thrilling !

[@gotolunch]

was lucky to hear Marie-Claire Alain play at the 94 convention.

[@jerroldtidwell]

As an organist, all I can say is WOW! What an amazingly inspirational instrument. (What a room, too)

[@Umstead2011]

That's my Church 😙😊❤

[@pierrelauwers8719]

What for an organ ! An incredible success.

[@principals16842]

I agree completely. Might be room on that third manual for a physharmonika -- I kid, of course! :) I'm glad you enjoy this instrument as much as I do, and I hope you'll find the Duruflé recording mentioned elsewhere if you don't already have it. Have a great day.

[@ghmus7]

Wonderful Michael! Bravo. The organ sounds better than ever.

[@AdrianGunning]

Very impressed.Thank you for the Tournemire! A terrific performance. Loved it.

[@michaelmiller1215]

I love the reeds and the powerful trumpets!

[@xaviox]

For an American organ I'm very impressed. Probably a nice contender for St. Patrick's cathedral imo. Beautiful and i have no regrets over the 16'/32' reeds which is usually a large part of the problem with USA organs. Very impressed

[@vima8680]

You should have heard "The Organ of the 40 Angles" at historic Holy Family Jesuit Church, Chicago. When built it was the fourth largest organ in the United States. The church when built before the Chicago Fire was the third largest on the continent.

[@principals16842]

At 19:00 you can see the Haskell construction of what I assume to be the Viole de Gambe and Voix Céleste (the gold colored pipes with inverted tubes hung inside them), a technique that works best with string pipes. With the Cromorne a cylindrical reed and half-length this was no doubt essential to making the rest of the division fit in a space with room enough just for a 4' open. I can't see if the 8' Hautbois is half length in its bottom octave or mitred. I do like that one lone offset pipe on the side wall (the Flûte à Cheminée low C# ?). Not sure if that was planned from the beginning or improvised on site but it makes me smile to think of the myriad challenges organ builders must face all the time.

[@Lou31510]

That Schudi is a Beauty!

[@timdaugherty5921]

Wheww the organist!!

[@johannesbrahms7414]

What a discovery! I never would have thought that such truly magnificent instruments, as confirmed by the Great Lady herself upon being astonished by the, true, French, quality of the Salicional stop---- existed in Dallas, Texas!!!!+ Thank You, for a most enjoyable and informative video! We gladly expect more such productions and gladly patronize all advertizers!!!!+

[@saveriorostello1650]

Acciidenti maestro che bel organo bravo !

[@agogobell28]

God, I love the sound of a French organ.

[@WD-jz5jh]

great teaching of the king of instrument's!

[@ubarhd1]

Great informative video thanks Great performance

[@robertramsay5963]

One of your best vids. Thanks for posting. New I should have signed up for the Dallas OHS.

[@CandaceTravismusic]

Very well done.

[@TheProsaicCult]

There is a recording of Tod Wilson performing complete organ works of Maurice Durufle on this instrument. It is an excellent recording.

[@rowanlidbury]

Awesome demonstration.

[@roberthovencamp]

Nice Tournemire playing, Michael.

[@ldepapel]

Saludos desde Chile, hermanos Catolicos 🙌❤ ¡¡¡hermoso organo el que tienen!!! Solo disfrutarlo en misa

[@channelralph2931]

Lovely.

[@aBachwardsfellow]

- at 17:45 - exactly !! - you don't have the screaming mixtures and thin, shrilly over-blown principals ! I'm loving the broader-scaled pipes, am wondering if the wind pressures are to the lower end? Lovely flutes - just get that lighter 16' reed back in the pedal and maybe a Gemshorn somewhere ... ? What a sweet instrument - would love to hear the Barber Adagio Strickland arrangement with the registration we hear at 18:30 ...

[@gendaminoru3195]

Glorious

[@califdad4]

there is a lovely old tracker Pipe Organ at St Paul's Episcopal in Sacramento Ca its the oldest Pipe organ on the west coast(1877) they brought it out from Philadelphia in 1918 , after the blower caught fire and ruined the old organ. really pretty church

[@antoniboleslawowicz8095]

A very beautiful marriage of organ abd room!

[@WINCHANDLE]

The world needs more talented, manly, scruffy organists!

[@virginiaorganbuilder]

Fantastic organ and video. Remarkable that such a large organ has no 16' manual stops!

[@organist1982]

Actually, the G.O. has a 16' Bourdon; he just failed to mention it. It's surprising, however, that there's no 16' manual reed to go with the Pedal 32' reed... Anyway, here's a link to the spec: www.stthomasaquinas.org/music/schudi-pipe-organ

[@virginiaorganbuilder]

@@organist1982 Oh right! I meant 16' reed. And no Recit to G. O. 16'

[@rdub4218]

What a blessing they didn't get a 1970's Wicks. This is way better than it would've ever been.

[@ThePraecentor]

Bravo Michael!!

[@danielodhiambo1065]

This is Dan Odhiambo from Nairobi Kenya.

[@arcangeloallegritti2436]

Bravo !!...

[@Highinsight7]

I think... (someone correct me) THIS is the same organ Todd Wilson did his complete works of Durufle on... Makes TOTAL sense...

[@Malignus68]

It is. Said so at 9:24.

[@Highinsight7]

@@Malignus68 Didn't see that part... thanks!

[@camilloflaim8933]

It' s one good organ.

[@saveriorostello1650]

ACCIDENTI CHE BELLA SUONATA GRAZIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BubaLabinski223]

I wonder if that’s the same Todd Wilson a barbershop quartet fame he sang tenor with a quartet called acoustics

[@joshuag.4873]

Les Cloches de Hinkley... Wonderful registration. Wish I could have heard the whole thing...

[@martinwright4125]

roughly, anyone have an idea of the current cost or value of an organ console and the organ here presented---by this builder? any idea of the size of the room? i love this french sound. i am thinking of a nave that holds about 400. it is english neo-gothico, open trussed ceiling, 21 ft. high from center, gallery holds organ and choir. 56 ranks probably too much for our nave, but we do a good deal of anglican chant, ionian, and gregorian. we need a good solid great, swell, and choir. good bit of solo voice in masses, cantor, and small ensemble. several concerts throughout church using strings, brass, and woodwinds. any ideas?

[@richardcoiner699]

Anybody know the excerpt @8:26?

[@WINCHANDLE]

Granted I so need hearing aids, but is there something out of tune around 26:20's. No judgement...keeping a pipe organ in tune is almost impossible. Can anyone validate that my hearing hasn't lost its last vestige of acuity in being able to detect something off pitch. Just retired and hearing aids are on the deferred maintenance list. Enjoy your youth...and hearing!

[@OrganMediaFoundation]

Something was a little shaky on that chord. This was recorded in early June in Texas, and the air conditioning had been turned off to eliminate noise, so we're probably lucky it was as in tune as it was!

[@ErichSlush]

What is the part played at 12:21?

[@OrganMediaFoundation]

Grand Chorus and Dialogue by Eugène Gigout.

[@MrGreencheetah]

Anyone know what piece the segment at 3:54 is from?

[@cromorne]

Prière à Notre-Dame from Boellmann's Suite Gothique.

[@MrGreencheetah]

@@cromorne Thank you so much! It is an enchanting piece - a "must learn" for me!

[@729MendicantTide]

A Hobbs meter inside the instrument is definitely a weird feature.

[@williammitchell1864]

How much did it cost to have the 32' Contre Bombarde installed?

[@Durufle68]

What was the final piece played in the video during the miniconcert?

[@Durufle68]

Oh shoot...it was Tournemire. I missed it the first time.

[@speedstick77]

The organist owns that instrument; a truly happy pairing. If you gentlemen can pronounce "Mon Dieu!". you can pronounce "Plein Jeu".

[@ShzeanetteMarie]

I'd love to be an organ player

[@virginiaorganbuilder]

I SAW A KNOB THAT SAID RECIT FLUTE HARMONIQUE!!

[@bobh5087]

A really beautiful instrument. But... too bad there isn't also a less obtrusive 16' Pedal reed, however. That 16' Bombarde is TRÈS MONSTRUEUX ! 😳 Also: could you be sure that the *actual stop names* are given, and not just "Here's a flute..." etc. - which we heard several times from the organist (who rushed through the stop demonstration for some reason). You usually take your time in this regard (when *you're* in control of things, unlike in this video.... 🤔 ).

[@ricktomlinson5481]

Bob, I totally agree with you I like this instrument a great deal and found it swell to hear from the same position as the choir! It has real balls in the pedal.... oh yes the French like that heavy pedal to the metal ! If the need for a softer pedal reed would arise I just couple to the pedal a reed from another division. Best !

[@mattbod]

Those chamades are right in the organists face. I am surprised they were not blown off the balcony.

[@samrodian919]

I am sorry to correct you but the concave and radiating pedalboard is NOT an American pedalboard, but an ENGLISH pedalboard. Designed in the 1850's by HENRY WILLIS 1 later known as Father Willis. One of the greatest organ builders of his age. The idea came from Willis and Samuel Sebastian Wesley inspecting the Shultz organ at the Great exhibition in 1851 which had a concave pedalboard. Wesley suggested that not only should Shultz have made this pedalboard concave, but should have made his pedals radiate from n imaginary spot behind the organist's back. Willis gave Wesley full credit for the idea. He then went on to set out the standard which we know today. He made both the concavity and the radius to the size of 8 feet 6 inches. On the radiating part the measurement was to the front of the sharps. I am not completely certain but from what I have read in W.L Sumner's book The Organ I believe the first 8'6" concave radiating pedalboard was installed in the Willis organ of St. George's Hall in Liverpool, England around 1853 or so.

[@OrganMediaFoundation]

You're absolutely correct. What was abbreviated as American should have been American Guild of Organists standard style pedal board, which adopted the English curved pedal board as their standard in the early 20th century.

[@phillipbaggio7915]

It sounds nice and all, but I would make some changes in the layout of the instrument. I would re-use the top manual as a separate Recit-Espressif and move some of the stops out of the Positif to there, such as the strings and Hautbois, and place that division in one of the side chambers. That being said, I would fill in any missing voices in both the Positif and Recit, and make the Grand Cornet and Chamade floating stops on each manual, like a small Bombarde division. I just can't see why the two expressive divisions should be combined into one. It would make the organ easier to play, especially with the French Romantic repertoire for three separate manuals.

[@zenasm.savage1999]

Took the words out of my mouth. Probably would make choir accompaniment easier. This is a nice instrument, it probably deserves a fourth manual and a full length 32' and a pedal mutation at 10 2/3'.

[@phillipbaggio7915]

@@zenasm.savage1999 That would definitely be ideal but in order to add a whole new division, the instrument would probably need to be reconstructed or rearranged in the gallery. With that "4th manual", I would make that into a complete Solo/Bombarde division: Large principals, Cornet, Chamade, and Tubas. As for the Contrebombarde, a F/L offset could be set up behind the case.

[@zenasm.savage1999]

@@phillipbaggio7915 That's interesting. Perhaps the unused chamber to the left of the console would be suitable for a solo\bombarde division. I'm not entirely a fan of the bombard as its voiced right now I feel like an 16' ophicleide would be a better effect. A 16' open flute and a warm tuba would help round out this instrument although it is probably less authentically French. Haskelling some of the pedal might be a reasonable solution as it would add some string character which is a little bit lacking.

[@zenasm.savage1999]

I have a feeling this instrument isn't in its final form. A pedal reed like here would be good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJrPq3ycictrhZY&t=71

[@Knappa22]

The organist looks like he’s off a construction site or is a lumberjack lol! Goes to show you must never judge a book by its cover!

[@hankaustin7091]

he's what's known in gay circles as a "bear".. .

[@4455-d6w]

@@hankaustin7091 lmao

[@ksbear2]

@@hankaustin7091 Nothing wrong with bear organists (says one who is both a bear and plays the organ.)

[@hankaustin7091]

@@ksbear2 LOL I didn't say there was.. I'm merely pointing out a fact.. use it as you wish

[@mdtdbe]

It’s not impossible to imagine a very large Harley-Davidson parked outside. Stranger things have happened!

[@Mattmanutube]

Sound of the organ is very distant

[@ricktomlinson5481]

NOT AT ALL ! Turn your volume up !

[@Mattmanutube]

Rick Tomlinson The balance is off between the organ and the 2 guys speaking .... since they are both within a few feet of the organ the sound of the organ is from a vantage point further away ... you obviously missed the dialogue about how loud the organ was especially certain stops. I would suggest you have your hearing checked if you can not discern there is such a difference

[@zenasm.savage1999]

I think the microphone placement is the culprit. The acoustic is large too.

[@Highinsight7]

I thought this video was quite GOOD!

[@paulatkins894]

@@Mattmanutube Yea, just bad audio editing. Too much background trash during comments.

[@timdaugherty5921]

my wife is asking if that organist is married?

[@nguyenthanh-ws5bp]

What does she mean?

[@iangillham9647]

Sounds quite distant, a mining problem?

[@derherrvonhabenichts7462]

0:36 "Simultaneously almost at the same time" ROFL Were his interview clothes in the laundry?!

[@matthewcapestro5809]

:)

[@andrewmarvell4604]

WOOF!!!