Bach Fugue on Rushworh & Dreaper pedal reed organ

[@richardkallio3868]

Fear not, if you can pedal the way you do, and understand organ articulation the way you do, you are *most definitely* an organist, and - as others have said - a very good one, indeed!

[@d.singler-kron9034]

Thank you. Well done. You did justice to this monumental fugue. I hope you keep up the good work!

[@theodoremikellguerrant4918]

Beautiful, artistic, elegant playing on this or any instrument of a very difficult piece. Bravo!

[@noelaruldas1152]

Ah! What a wonderful performance! Dear organist! I congratulate and wish you all the best to perform well in many stages, recording studios, orchestras, concert halls, theatres, schools, colleges, churches and wherever you are invited!

[@jfisher6829]

What a nice comment, thank you!

[@noelaruldas1152]

@@jfisher6829 Electronic keyboard contains electronically recorded and programmed circuit board of sound chips connected to speaker that imitates the sound of organ and all the other musical instruments but it can't beat the real organ and other musical instruments. Always the vibration of real music produced by blowing wind pressure on rank of reeds operated by bellows and keyboard in real organ is always the real one. No electronic imitation can beat nor replace it.

[@RobertChastain]

Brilliant! This sounds fresh, musically legitimate, and intellectually stimulating.

[@benjaminteaguemusic4235]

Really great performance, and the instrument sounds fab!

[@bmagus9818]

Enjoyed the video very much. Hope to hear more classical organ works from you on this unique pipe sounding Reed Organ.

[@MichaelStBede]

That was most impressive, in every respect.

[@bertspeggly4428]

If you can play pedals that well you are an organist. And a very good one, I would say.😀😀

[@eschoenmaker]

Symphatic reedorgan playing! The organ seems to be in good condition!

[@philpogson9883]

The phrasing would be so difficult on a reed organ. Well done!

[@tjpj111]

Your articulation is good. Too many people are fans of ridiculous tempos for Bach. This is nicely paced and in stocking feet no less! I’m also quite jealous of your organ’s sound, especially the swell pedal. I have a 2MP John Holt and it’s all or nothing. Clearly Rushworth and Dreaper did a better job.

[@jfisher6829]

Thank you! I think Rushworths did a pretty good job. I've only played a couple of Holts, two very different instruments, but am always curious about them as they were very varied, in contrast with Rushworths who stuck to the same spec (basically). Any recordings of yours?

[@tjpj111]

The Holts are a bit varied. This is my second and a completely different sort to the first; sounding much bigger and less “chapel” if that makes sense. The spec is: Swell - Oboe 8, Flute 4, Lieblich Gedackt 8, Cornopean 8 Great - Hohl Flute 8, Dulciana 8 (Hohl Flute derived), Stopped Diapason 8 (own reeds), Open Diapason 8, Principal 4 Pedal - Open Diapason 16, Bourdon 16 (derived). Usual couplers with the addition of a sub octave swell coupler. I’d upload a video, but I’m in the middle of replacing some felts. The pedalboard has become so noisy, yet I can’t quite find where! Side note. You mentioned your tremulant is somewhat lacking. My old instrument had one that worked well. I’m sure it was mounted vertically not horizontally. Not sure that helps though!

[@jfisher6829]

@@tjpj111 I'd be very interested to know more about the tremulant if you can remember any details, I can't quite accept that Rushworths couldn't devise something better than what they used. Yet, I have tried a lot of alternative set-ups and nothing gives good results! Good luck with the felts.

[@QuentinKranz]

hmm I think I heard that piece somewhere once😊 beautiful playing! also nice how you activate the switch that make the keys play along I don´t know how you call it in english but in german you call it bass koppel (bass) and diskant Koppel (upper voice)

[@ianthompson9201]

Magnificent!

[@jrzzrj]

👍........breathtaking...!

[@richardkallio3868]

If you love Bach as I do, you are no doubt already aware that there is a plethora of editions of his works. Within those editions are many subtle variations - which seems natural enough given that at some point, in the distant past, original editors transcribed from the composer’s manuscripts. That said, I am simply curious as to what edition you are using given that in most renditions I’ve heard of this fugue, the final chord is G major, not minor.

[@jfisher6829]

Thank you for your comments 😊 I think whatever edition I used, it had the major ending also… I just prefer the minor!

[@jaysen2112]

Curious to what you're definition of an organist is, considering you're playing what's widely considered the most difficult organ fugue Bach ever wrote.

[@wurlitzer895]

Well played indeed! May I ask whether you had a KZbin channel 'TheMomeRaths' a few years back?

[@jfisher6829]

Yes, that was me too

[@wurlitzer895]

@@jfisher6829 Thanks for that clarification. I don't want to waste too much of your time, but do you own these two fascinating instruments, ie the R&D 'Apollo' and 3 manual Mason & Hamlin? Far from not being an organist, you most certainly are a most gifted player. We are indebted to you for producing and uploading these videos. Keep well and stay safe. Peter A :) :) :)

[@jfisher6829]

@@wurlitzer895 yes, I own them both - they are very different instruments, but both wonderful. I’m glad you enjoyed the music, I’m a pianist really but I just about get by as a pretend organist! 😂

[@wurlitzer895]

@@jfisher6829 You are far, far too modest; the mark of the true musician. I've heard many an organist come to grief with the BWV 542 fugue. But I think you prove the point that being a fine organist starts with having a solid piano technique. Thank you again. All good wishes and kindest regards. Peter A :) :) :)

[@coolmorgus]

Played very well but never changed stops, manuals.

[@jfisher6829]

Very true… it was all I could manage to press the right buttons 😂

[@garysmith394]

@@jfisher6829 Don't worry, the person who posted is just jealous.

[@richardkallio3868]

@@garysmith394indeed, I’ve always thought there should be a saying that “Critics are failed performers.” If there isn’t, then I’m coining it now! 😂

[@richardkallio3868]

This doesn’t seem to be the easiest instrument on which to change registrations, at least - not without an assistant!

[@paljavori782]

Is this harmony built, custom piece or factory?

[@jfisher6829]

It was built by a pipe organ company, they made around 300 of them between 1910-1940

[@paljavori782]

@@jfisher6829 In which country was it made? Where is he now? What brand is on it? How many and what kind of whistles do you have?

[@jfisher6829]

@@paljavori782 it was made in Liverpool, UK by Rushworth and Dreaper, you can look the organs up online, there’s a bit about them if you’re interested. 😁

[@WimGelok]

Concerning tempo: most organists take the tempi too fast! Listen therefore to Albert Schweitzer 1935 and at the organ in Gunsbach (somewhat slower) and you shall hear that your tempo is quite o k !

[@benedictdsilva3954]

Nice but can't hear the pedal line well...16 ' on ?

[@jfisher6829]

Only the small 16’ I think, the bigger stop was slightly too slow to speak, but yes I agree, the pedal line could have more definition.

[@garysmith394]

@@jfisher6829 You don't need to apologize or qualify your performance. Some people are just not satisfied and have to find some fault or criticism. I don't know how anyone is supposed to hear a deep pedal line on a computer or cellphone. Keep up the good work and excellent playing.

[@jfisher6829]

@@garysmith394 that’s kind, thank you 😊

[@jackstone652]

Thank you very much for sharing this!! I have a two manual & pedal Holt harmonium from (I think) 1911 and use it to practice all kinds of repertoire. Vierne, Widor & Lemare Symphonies sounds fantastic on them as well as classical works as you've demonstrated! Where is this lovely instrument? Is it an 'Apollo'?

[@jfisher6829]

Yes it’s an Apollo, one of the later ones (1938). It’s at my home 😊. If you find yourself in Worcestershire, come and play it!

[@mariannep9422]

maybe what you mean is you are not employed as an organist. I am but can't play that piece. I always say "I play the organ". I think you're an organist, dude......

[@jfisher6829]

What I mean is I am really a pianist, I can’t play much standard organ repertoire!

[@mariannep9422]

@@jfisher6829 Makes sense. I have a good friend who is employed as an organist but really a pianist. I get it. I didn't mean to be flip

[@liontame5A]

Excellent footwork and co-ordination.. Thank you.

[@WimGelok]

Z means you're o k !

[@WimGelok]

Z