12th Street Rag - The Worlds Fastest Organist!

Here is Robert Wolfe with exceptionally fast playing on the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ at the Thursford Collection, Norfolk, UK.
Credit for the video goes to Peter Cherry.
• Video
#theatreorgan #pipeorgan #theaterorgan #wurlitzer #organ #music #piano #keyboard #synth

[@genekinnick2174]

Until I saw Organist Goes Crazy, I had no idea ANYONE could play the keyboards of these instruments the way Robert does, .....AND NOW THIS!!! WOW! If the energy produced by his playing of these organs could be captured and put to use, it would light a city. I am totally blown away by what he can do, and I realize the enormous numbers of hours and devotion, training and hard work he must expend to be the talent he is. I don't mean to insult any other of the great organists of our time, because there are many really outstanding performers who also deserve much high praise, but Robert, at least to me, stands out among them all. For those of us who appreciate great music and riotous good times, the fabulous sound of the Wurlitzer, Robert Wolfe at the organ is nothing less than a super-hero in the world of music! I wish I could have known him in my younger days because, even as a kid I loved great organ and piano playing. I might have learned a thing or two from him and went on to become something other than a carpenter (though I have no complaints as I love working with wood)! Thanks for putting this up, and again, ....WOW!!!

[@LowenBHold]

Gene Kinnick .....I know this guy is fucking amazing!!

[@MrHupps93]

Fantastic! Robert played this a few weeks ago when I visited Thursford, and as always found him very friendly and his talent is truly staggering!

[@kenno615]

I think if he played like this at the tower, the ballroom must shake as if there is going to be an earth tremor

[@ZetorRG]

The thing that always amazes me is not so much that some one can play an organ that fast, it's that an organ CAN be played that fast. When you think of the mechanics of what's happening each time the keys are played, how far the pipes are away and how fast the valves are working, especially on something which has got to be close on to 100 years old. A modern computer would struggle I bet !

[@OrganMusicYT]

+Zetor 7245 Some organs which are on digital relays, and some digital organs struggle to do anything near this. This organ is still on it's original relays and it works like lightning!

[@kenno615]

Allen digital organs are computerised Zetor 7245, so they do go through some rigorous testing as there clips here on KZbin. Even I don't fully understand the speed at which these organs can be played, but watching Robert, he makes it look easy and with professionalism.

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@kenno615 Having tried waterfalling on an Allen, they struggle to keep up and drop notes. There is a video of a well known organist doing it on KZbin and you can hear notes being dropped all over the place. Very disappointing, and not the fault of the organist at all.

[@dylan-kerry]

After I found my first recording of this man I was mind blown. I've heard Art Tatums Tiger Rag and the like and am even on my way to being able to play the piece but I could not comprehend what was going on on this guys organ. The first thing I did after that was look for him playing the twelfth street rag and this is even more impressive

[@michaelciccone2194]

I am amazed how he can play. I like his Sabre Dance presentation. Just discovered Robert recently.

[@MrRDIEHL49]

Yes that was fast, great job, Roger :)

[@antm64]

I think he ought to be wearing a seatbelt!! WOW! Incredible performance!

[@michaelciccone2194]

Cannot get enough of this! Is he still performing?

[@OrganMusicYT]

Yes, he is still performing. Although, with current covid restrictions etc, live music event's arent a thing here in the UK. However, once it's all back to normal, I would imagine Robert will be back to playing concerts twice daily at the Thursford collection and touring during the autumn/winter season.

[@michaelciccone2194]

@@OrganMusicYT thank you! Even Carnegie Hall is still darkened and our theater district is so quiet now. We do gave a New York theater organ group. Be so nice to take lessons! I never knew how incredible these organs were until last nite! Robert is simply amazing!

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@michaelciccone2194 They are incredible instruments, so much versatility and different variations from one to the next. The limitations are almost endless.

[@michaelciccone2194]

@@OrganMusicYT i agree! Please let Robert how much he impressed me.

[@danielmurphy4415]

The original video has seemed to have been violating copyright and is no longer there for some reason

[@OrganMusicYT]

Daniel Murphy Perhaps the uploader removed the video themselves or deleted their profile. Not necessarily a copyright issue.

[@fryloc359]

Im more amazed that the organ can keep up.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Electromagnetic relays work like lightning when they are functioning like they should. Sometimes it seems as if the note is playing before you touch the key. I have seen modern solid state and digital organs completely fail when played like this.

[@gazdenroolay]

Black Midis

[@OrganMusicYT]

+Gazden Roolay No midi.

[@MaxThompsonMusic]

@@OrganMusicYT I think it was supposed to be a joke. Look up Black Midi files. Then you'll get it.

[@bryan9587]

Hola fucking shit.

[@johnnyjames7139]

Rags are not supposed to be fast per the late Bill Coffman ragtime player of excellence.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Music, as an art form, is open to personal interpretation. It's also a form of entertainment.

[@tilozoru1255]

Hell, I could do that, not hard to make incoherent noise... big deal...

[@OrganMusicYT]

Could you? It takes a hell of alot of muscle memory to be able jump between manuals that fast and still hit the right chords and keep your timing. Fire ahead and upload the video.