Anna Lapwood at First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA 28Mar23

Prelude & Fugue in A minor BWV 543, JS Bach
First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto (founded in 1891) sanctuary is mid-century gothic style, erected in 1961 with pin-point (perhaps pin-drop says more) focus on pristine acoustics being integrated into its architecture; the present organ was installed soon thereafter.
The console of the old church organ is now in the church’s balcony and can be controlled either by a solo organist at the chancel or played independently by a second organist.
During the build, we took services at The Varsity Theater nearby on University Avenue where later Tuck & Patti, Bobby McFerrin and other rising stars spoke to our souls through their music. Magic times, my childhood.
Church firstpaloalto....
From the 28Mar23 program,
“The Great Organ,
Manual 2: 19 stops, 21 ranks, 1,281 pipes
Swell (Expres) Man 3: 15 stops, 20 ranks, 12,220 pipes
Positive (Expres) Man 1: 13 stops, 16 ranks, 964 pipes
Pedal: 15 stops, 6 ranks, 320 pipes
BOMBARDE - M4: 5 stops, 7 ranks, 451 pipes
Ant. Great - M2: 10 stops, 13 ranks, 781 pipes
Ant. Swell (Expres) - M3: 15 stops, 19 ranks, 1,170 pipes
Ant. Pedal - Ant. Pedal: 7 registers, 3 ranks, 144 pipes.
Much more info on the program but I can’t post an image!
Anyone who wants images of the program Anna played, email me at [e-mail]

[@katherinemcintire2638]

Anna Lapwood has a wonderful way of making absolutely ethereal music personable!!!!

[@Dalasplaylist]

And that’s her pursuit: celebrate the instrument, enrich all who hear. Anna rocks.

[@EducatedSkeptic]

So amazing to see such a young and talented organist rising on the international scene. I grew up listening to Virgil Fox and E. Power Biggs, both no longer with us, and it is so amazing and heartening to see such a brilliant young talent rising on the international stage. Comment and complain all you want, but she's VASTLY better than any of us could ever hope to be!

[@gregtowern]

To hell with the fashion jacket. 3:22 Amazing thing Anna. I lov'it

[@nickwilson7697]

@@RhiannonFan His comment is because she chose to take it off for comfort - instead of wearing it for style.

[@hairyairey]

​@@nickwilson7697makes me think that playing the organ should be an activity on your Garmin. And on Strava.

[@mr.booker9263]

@@RhiannonFan What on earth are you going on about? SHE took it off...perhaps because it was uncomfortably hot.

[@Dalasplaylist]

@@mr.booker9263 INDEED! She explained so, but she is a real down-to-earth woman one piece she played relied on a highlighter marker to hold a key while she did else. We are listening, then all the sudden she pulls out the highlighter pen and the organ breathes fire.

[@miket2120]

Stay shiny Anna, stay shiny

[@auralsonicwaves7170]

I so wish I could have been there. I've admired Anna for a long time for all of her accomplishments at such a young age. Bravo!

[@Dalasplaylist]

I grew up in this church and my perk was a front row seat, and it gave such great view of Anna “dancing” on the organ.

[@radarriau]

It was Grand! The Bach Pieces brought tears to my eyes… felt lucky to be there.

[@melissaraven3164]

what were the Bach pieces?

[@Dalasplaylist]

@@melissaraven3164 it’s in video’s description ❤️🎶

[@jeankleinschmidt9447]

Orgelmusik erfreut mich schon seit meiner Kindheit, aber mit Anna Lapwood ist noch einmal ein ganz besonderer Stern am Organistenhimmel aufgegangen! Ich mag ihre fröhliche & natürliche Art der Interpretation & ihr Strahlen beim Spiel, so ist es nicht nur Ohren -, sondern auch Augenweide ❤

[@bonnieking5493]

Words cannot express the feelings one has when hearing such an instrument as this organ. What a masterful performance. Thank you for posting.

[@MrAerocomposites]

I just attended her concert in Atlantic City at the convention center, world's largest pipe organ. Amazing.

[@WilliamKroupaJr.]

Wow! That was breathtaking. I’m the Music Director at a Methodist Church in New York and this popped up in my suggestions tonight and I’m so glad it did. Bravo! Liked and Subscribed!!

[@Dalasplaylist]

Most of my music vids aren’t classical but I hope you enjoy them! Many are either concerts I’ve hosted (Dala’s Nest House Concerts) or shows and events I’ve attended over decades.

[@hairyairey]

I love that 🧥. Anna is superb in all she does. Hopefully will see her play live and maybe even meet her some day.

[@Dalasplaylist]

She made herself available to everyone at her merch table in the narthex, then she was gracious enough to do a meet-greet reception at the church hall. She is in every way a talented, intelligent, thoughtful woman. All 5’3” of her is ❤️ and 🎶

[@Musician-Lee]

Magnificent. A fabulous organ, and fabulous organist. ❤

[@davidfletcher8558]

Absolutely brilliant 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@danaoldenburg4772]

Magic! Thank you! ✌🏻😎🎹🌴🌞

[@TheRoadandtheSky]

Anna, I had the pleasure to be there and to have met you in the parking lot before the event and to speak with you afterwards while you greeted us and signed cds. Thank you so much….your energy while introducing the pieces and while playing was spectacular!! Forever a fan. Kevin from Santa Rosa

[@attiliodalcavaliere999]

Eccellente, bravissima - non c'è niente da fare, la musica di Bach è poesia ❤👏🌹🇮🇹🌈

[@YourBrilliantLife]

I grew up in this church, and it’s delightful to hear the organ again. My family had a music store across from the Varsity theater, Swain’s House of Music. The youth choirs of the church, especially Carol sings, were an important part of my childhood.

[@joszandstra2044]

This is the first time I watch and listen to Anna, but it is really great. Great musical expression

[@owensmith7530]

Anna has her own channel on KZbin.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

My god I could watch and listen to this woman play every single day! So much energy and vitality, a real pleasure to see and hear. Isn't it strange that most musicians play their instruments facing the audience, but organists play the instrument facing the instrument. They are absolutely body and soul at one with all the keys, pedals, stop knobs, levers and the glorious sounds that emanates from these grand instruments. Anna, watching and hearing you play is something special indeed and I simply can't get enough of it. Please keep the vids coming, we love you.... Gosh this is amazing! A request. Can you perhaps play "Promenade" from Emerson, Lake and Palmers version of Mussorgsky Pictures at an exhibition?...(Pretty please?❤)

[@rossmorrow3013]

Wonderful performance, a Truly GREAT ambassador for our instrument!

[@stuartglaister5870]

Beautiful and Beautiful

[@rodbishop1958]

Some day! I will catch up to a time when Anna is playing! Great music!!

[@Dalasplaylist]

Please do!

[@adrianstephens56]

Lovely. The way the reeds came into the pedals in the first movement was great.

[@edwardvinchinski7670]

So much talent in such a small package! Amazing

[@TrinityDivineMozart]

Wonderful organ music. 🙏 🎼🎹

[@antonyaberson6296]

America listen her music is a art at her age.

[@winniebulthuis5168]

Amazing...fascinating to listen to

[@Barbarapape]

All these comments and not a single like! Excellent playing, it takes years of practice to sound this good.

[@PeterTodd]

KZbin is a bit broken :|

[@Barbarapape]

@@PeterTodd You tube is very broken, it's sadly now rare that i find a video that is worth my time.

[@AllenCavedo]

Great footwork. Love the jacket 😃

[@gerhardmischak7753]

Thank you Anna ❤ good New year for you. God bless you.❤

[@tazziesthailand]

a wonderful performance keep it up my friend

[@Dalasplaylist]

Thank you, I will

[@JeffWindoloski]

Ahhh J.S. Bach... music to my ears!! 😊

[@benbookworm]

I live only a few hours away, and was disappointed to hear about this event only after the fact!

[@suebradford5758]

Fantastic😁❤🎶👍❗...Thank you 👍...And Thank You Lord ✝️ for the Tears 😪 and Tingles ✝️...🙏❤✝️

[@alanchandler254]

Not going to criticize talent, wish i could play halr as well, only been playing the organ for over 60 years, just superb playing and listening, well done Anna

[@frankmontillon]

Mrs Lapwood is Great and wonderfull!

[@dhelven]

Ms

[@donvanstraaten4973]

Was married at First Methodist in 1965, Dr Howie at the console, also attended a concert with Virgil Fox at the organ, it is the heart and soul of First Methodist.

[@Dalasplaylist]

Yes, Howie for years, then a succession of others. I heard Virgil Fox there and If the FUMC choir sang at your wedding, I was IN IT!

[@misonoresoconto]

Marvelous!

[@johnharolds1929]

Great to see you playing. I doff my hat for you.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Excellent! Many thanks.

[@Dalasplaylist]

Thank you too!

[@gerhardmischak7753]

Anna you are Master, masterin? On the organ ❤

[@bruss273]

Magnifica!

[@paulacklin9933]

What a wonderful presentation. Enjoyed it a lot, thanks.

[@deanusmanus]

Prelude & Fuge in A Minor...always a favorite & perfectly done!

[@billygamer3941]

Thank you for posting this emotive music.

[@georgecarlson1460]

Looking through the comments all I can say is there are a lot of "experts" -- "ex"=has been; "spurt"=drip under pressure. Streamed to computer speakers is never ideal but makes listening possible. If you don't like it, like her interpretation, don't like the building acoustics, whatever -- just turn it off without the snarky comments.

[@mr.booker9263]

Totally agree.....organists are their own worst enemies. This is a remarkably fine performance. The "snarky comments" reveal much about the unfortunate abundance of snarks in the organ firmament.

[@jmariliou]

Stupid comment. Don’t dream, you’ll never have anything from Lapwood, YOU are stupid. Il you don’t want any jugment, avoid youtube, avoid everything. Play football!

[@paulkunis5324]

sounded great on my headphones.

[@jasonchess7698]

Stupid comment with weary old cliche. If there are people who know what they are talking about then they are free to offer honest critiques

[@thagirion9761]

Yes, it’s easy to criticize when you’re not on stage in front of hundreds of people playing an instrument and showing them what you’ve got.

[@estherreinders7987]

Amazing!! Bravo!

[@josephstubler4903]

Great performance Anna. That is a wonderful instrument.

[@daloki349]

4:28 Anna 'flying' again. Wonderful stuff!

[@Dalasplaylist]

She spoke before each piece and moves like a ballet star. While explaining her Interstellar pieces, her body told the story as if she was playing, by that I mean her narratives were as physical as they were verbal and I’ll bet she can do yoga like nobody’s business!

[@daloki349]

She is very physical and a fabulous communicator isn't she? I've yet to see her live, so I have to admit that I'm slightly envious of you.

[@danapeck5382]

What a treat! Envy the audience

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Me too.

[@margaretflack2091]

You are brilliant Anna

[@davidray47]

I know you have worked hard your whole life on perfecting your ability, but some of it has to be god given. Either way, what an extrodinary talent.

[@helpmaboabb]

Approximately how much, would you say? Maybe 37%

[@primuscommentarius]

Her CV relates the many instruments she learned to play, so she has experience with many orchestral voices when choosing her voicing arrangements of a musical piece. Eventually, she settled on the Harp, which she studied for about 11 years. Then, for some reason she does not detail, her mother asked her if she had ever thought about playing the Organ. And, as they say, the rest is history, leading to a string of "the youngest ever to ...". Currently, her day job is Director of Music at Cambridge University's Pembroke Women's College ... of course, the youngest ever to hold that position, as well as for her two RAH appointments as organist and resident organ scholar.

[@StarTrust]

Thank you, Dalasplaylist, for giving us more of Anna Lapwood's talent. She can rock a pipe organ! As well as a choir and harp. www.youtube.com/@AnnaLapwoodOrgan

[@jonboz7585]

Amazing performance and sound! Than you very much!

[@boardclan]

Thank you for this beautifully played piece. JSB would have been very proud:)

[@paulmonard4857]

Excellent Anna. Dont change anything Friendly yours. Paul from Lyon in France

[@johnsanner8388]

Amazing playing! Love the glitter on the jacket too.

[@Dalasplaylist]

Which flew off between movements!

[@JackStevenson5045]

Brilliant

[@jamesvickers1716]

As always, remarkable.

[@enriqueartega9020]

Sublime Anna , sublime desde Uruguay 🇺🇾 con💖

[@tedfarwell3132]

Just brilliant!

[@robertaulicky8954]

Wow! Very nice indeed. I like the way you lay stops colors side by side and not on top of each other. I hope to hear a concert in person if you make it to the east coast. The Fox in Atlanta is begging you to come!

[@Dalasplaylist]

I hope so too!

[@margaretflack2091]

Absolutely love it, !!

[@davidjack9217]

SUPERB !!!!!!!!!!

[@steveshepard8477]

I took organ lessons their in the late 70s; sounds so incredible live.

[@joyfulyes]

I had lessons in the 70s as well, as a child and teen. Hearing this excellent playing makes me wish I'd stuck with it. I don't think I'd have been anywhere near this good even if I had, but I still often wish I could do more than diddle a few carols on the spinet at Christmas...but an organ like this would chew me up and spit out the pieces.

[@trbarton743]

Great music. Enjoy hearing music from the Bay Area.

[@Dalasplaylist]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@davidwright8432]

I know the church! Lived in Palo Alto for decades. Brought back memories. Oh yes - and great performance, too! Thanks.

[@robertodiciano1876]

Very good Anna. Excellent Execution with Character and Personality!

[@robertodiciano1876]

❤

[@LeendertCordemans]

If you go to play, you will getting warm. Well done. Chapeau!

[@lcarolynghearing854]

Absolutely stunning performance .

[@viverethev2]

Oh, my soul went to the 3rd Heaven as I listened to your talented mind, body, and soul deliver this very complicated piece. Love your style!

[@jaynehall4468]

what talent!!

[@edgarpaul2962]

EXCELLENT!!!

[@terryjue7380]

I live nearby. Wish I could have heard/seen this performance.

[@gerardfangeau7162]

It is quite rare to have a complete view on an organist. They usually are high above the audience, behind some ramp... Here, it adds to the beautiful music, and her movements are completely part of the music. Next time, put someone to turn the pages for her, please...😎👍👍👍

[@stevenschrier4207]

Good solid performance of the A Minor with a steady tempo. The acoustics in the Palo Alto Methodist Church are more "live" than heard in this recording. This is a 4/105 instrument, among the largest pipe organs in the San Francisco Bay area.

[@Dalasplaylist]

I wish I could post the image I took from the program describing the pipes on the instrument. Watch over Anna’s shoulder as she plays higher notes and you can see their action shimmer and dance. It’s captivating to hear, see, and feel all at once. I grew up in this church and in the choirs from kindergarten past high school. When the present 1961 sanctuary was built; the old organ was preserved and its console is now in the sanctuary’s balcony. Each console can be operated independently or both at the main console Anna played (but not vice versa). “Music at First Methodist” was very popular well into the mid 70s; always with a reception afterwards, Anna no exception. In retrospect, I recall being all aflutter meeting Itzah Perlman with Pinkus Zuckerman (double-bill tour) when none of us ever thought we’d have grey hair.

[@ravingcyclist624]

Were you surprised that Anna brought in 100k views out of the blue? She does have some fans. 🙂

[@davef.2329]

Very nice!

[@Dalasplaylist]

Thanks!

[@gunnarbjorck929]

You look like a little ant...but your playing is like a grizzleey-bear!!!!! Wonderful!!🤗🤗🥰🥰🙏🙏💪💪👍🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹Thank you!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Simpleburger1968]

A great showcase for the dancing footwork ...🤓

[@Dalasplaylist]

Being my childhood church, I got a lil sweet spot and it turned out to be perfect for capturing Anna’s fleetness and finesse

[@Simpleburger1968]

@@Dalasplaylist Definitely ! 🙂

[@falconfira]

She is so fucking amazing and inspiring!

[@davebarclay4429]

Do you have to swear or are you just stupid with a limited vocabulary?

[@agavegrove]

Well, she uses 1 more word than you do. She used the F word as a nth-degree superlative. It got the point across better than "She is so very much amazing and inspiring." @@davebarclay4429

[@__Andrew_]

Yes a tragically limited vulgar vocabulary

[@bikdav]

I went to that church as a youngster. I wish that we had "Star Trek Trans Warp" transportation, so I could revisit since I'm so far away now.

[@Dalasplaylist]

She did play“How to Train Your Dragon” but that’s not the same as time travel…the main theme was pieces from her new work “Interstellar”, which is SPECTACULAR and with her narrative beforehand, you could IMAGINE space travel on her waves of sound. Stunning. Get the CD

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Nice to also see her feet playing!

[@michaelmiller1215]

Brava

[@ncmartinez_his]

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," "who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God," "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name," "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth," "and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Oh..one of my absolut favorites...mmmmm Thank you soo much!!🥰🥰 Oh..what was that???? 🥰

[@jamesleasure8836]

My gosh!

[@andraskovacs5009]

I love this moment at 3:20! The first part must have been quite difficult ;-) ..

[@erikthenorviking8251]

Anna, I hope you might ask Heloise Werner to compose something for you, perhaps with harp, viola, cello. Great performance! Thank you...

[@Dalasplaylist]

Great suggestion!

[@Helmann9265]

🖤🌠💯

[@sergiusvitus7512]

Very fine interpreted, not like the Europeans it do, but your kind is very interesting. I especially like the fugue. Thank you a lot! Good bless you!

[@TheProsaicCult]

yeah, those European organists, Latry, Roth, Preston, Cochereau, among others, could really learn alot from us American organists. And a dose of good ole' American humility.

[@lukasorg]

@@TheProsaicCult 😂 There were many cymbalists

[@ricowilko]

Anna Lapwood is visiting the US from the UK.

[@sergiusvitus7512]

@@ricowilko Oh, she is a British organist. Thank you for the notice, I did not researched before.

[@hessu3]

Great work, well played, and magnificant instrument! May I ask, which BWV number is it?

[@patmcdermott4832]

Prelude & Fugue in A minor BWV 543, JS Bach

[@hessu3]

@@patmcdermott4832 thank you!

[@arthurnorton1955]

Agree it seems rushed in places, but the sound of any organ, particularly a pipe organ in a perfect acoustic setting, just unglued me. Can’t get enough, anywhere, anytime. As for being rushed, Virgil Fox often played as if he had two minutes to live. I have a CD on which he plays so fast and sloppily it’s hard to believe. Sometimes I think he couldn’t resist showing off his incredible technique.

[@igorsmirnov5451]

Телефон передает музыку с ограничениями. Но, мое сознание слышит её в мельчайших подробностях. Спасибо Анна, Вы настоящий Мастер.

[@jamessheya7739]

Good performance but the acoustics are lacking which is too bad for such a beautiful organ.

[@Dalasplaylist]

You had to be there…

[@wouterattheorgan]

@@Dalasplaylist i can definitely hear from the recording the acoustic is very dry compared to a church this organ deserves acoustical wise. the sound immediatly arrives and dissapates

[@Dalasplaylist]

@@wouterattheorgan it’s lovely you can appreciate the instrument, even if not in its best home.

[@jospenner9503]

Good to see her play proper organ music for a change, instead of all those lite film score arrangements.

[@davestelling]

Agree!

[@bigmountain7561]

Hi Anna have you played the big one in Atlantic City yet?

[@bernardcromarty485]

There's a novelty... striptease organ recital!!

[@raygunsforronnie847]

Comments about audio and the room: there's not much "room" in the sound and at least 2 divisions of the organ seem much closer to the microphones as those voices arrive before the rest of the instrument sound. In the Prelude it gives the impression Ms Lapwood is not playing all the parts in time, but watching her hands and feet it appears she is playing them correctly. The fugue has less of this affectation. She plays well, her tempo choice is appropriate, but the recording does not represent the performance, instrument, or alleged acoustics of the room in a flattering way.

[@Dalasplaylist]

I truly appreciate your comment because you put into words the effect of the recording in a way nobody else has described.

[@keiththompson9575]

....and the attendance was...? any friends made for the organ and its music?

[@Dalasplaylist]

Packed. About 900- 1,000 ppl.

[@sandrawilson6639]

It was absolutely packed, but the actual attendance was ~540. I know because the FUMC organist, Diane Keller, and I produced this concert. I have no idea where the number 900-1000 came from. The rated capacity of FUMC is 525, and we packed in a few more on chairs.

[@spikespa5208]

I live maybe 2 and half hours away. I would have gone, if I had known about it.

[@bruss273]

3:23 🤣🤣

[@Dalasplaylist]

It was improptu for everyoe!