Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor at St Maximin

[@hiphop1234]

Power of that organ is incredible. Well done St. Maximin!

[@amenophis_factorem]

More like "well done, Brother Isnard (the name of the monk who built this organ)" but yes!

[@hawkeye454]

The sheer POWER of this organ leaves me breathless. So good.

[@TDHChoir]

Charles, it is because of all the reeds it sounds "out of tune" It would almost need daily tuning to keep them all in tune. I think it adds to the great sound, those filthy great reeds roaring away. Magnificent!

[@Taoseno2007]

OMG! Incredible sound...the reeds are glorius and the flues are so sweet....what a marvelous opus. This organ is unique.....Soli deo Gloria!

[@jeanflab1]

Le son est tout simplement magnifique. Cela me donne la chair de poule tellement c'est beau à entendre. C'est vraiment une belle découverte l'orgue de Saint-Maximin.

[@zauberflute981]

Jean-François Labrecque Ici, à st Maximin, et de bien loin ailleurs, nous sommes tous de votre avis .. merci de votre appéciation

[@MChiribogaD]

This must be one of the best versions ever!

[@sharonstern6950]

As a fellow physician and Medcram enthusiast, I want to thank you for sharing your extremely special moment with all of your students and subscribers who are indebted to you for sharing not only your talent as a teacher but also your incredible musical gifting. That was a real treat and I bet there were many generations leaning over from heaven above holding their breaths as they listened with absolute rapture as you made them so proud to 400 years later lift such an exquisite masterpiece to the throne of God! What amazing acoustics --- and again, thank you so much for sharing with us.

[@unequally-tempered]

Thanks so much for your appreciation. But it's not me playing - I only recorded it - this is genius organist facebook.com/Pierre-Bardon-771289042944490/

[@deltasquared7777]

This organ uniquely possesses a purity of voice, strength and timbre fully capable of overpowering one’s self and immersing one’s soul in music

[@willowthebored]

That is a rather phenomenal recording. I've seen this instrument in literature before, but I've never actually heard it - it's very nice to put such a brilliant sound to that equally impressive facade. And people say the Frenchmen can't play Bach. (Solution: More Reeds)

[@Capt737AA]

As often as this piece is played, this is one of the most passionately played I've heard. BRAVO on this!!! Terrific organ and acoustics as well which is what this piece DEMANDS!!!!

[@unequally-tempered]

Hi! Not me playing . . . I'm only amateur - this is Pierre Bardon who has been organist in this Basilica since 1961. A master par excellence.

[@marsvltor2]

A breath of fresh air into this old warhorse of a piece. Thank you Pierre - and the most wonderful of all pre-Cavaille French organs.

[@zauberflute981]

marsvltor2 nos orgues ne sont pas de Cavaillè mais des frères Isnard ‘

[@FRA66ER6]

A really monstrous, crisp and strong sound! And I love the echo of the basilica's interior.

[@peteacher52]

It's not often that the playing of this old warhorse elicits the "Wow!" factor. Your camcorder did remarkably well indeed so I can only imagine the goosebumps that would rise from head to toe if this had been professionally recorded! The interpretation is remarkably similar to that of Richard Keys Biggs, playing a Casavant organ in Los Angeles some time in the late '50s, which was for many years, a benchmark for me. Thanks for a very fine posting. Peter, NZ.

[@Ilmonarchico]

Awesome.. Simply wow. Terrific sound. The best organ that i know.

[@clarekuehn4372]

This is the best timing I have found on KZbin. I pray that you reupload it with steadier camera work and image quality, and better compression for sound. Fight the NWO! 😍😍

[@marioribeirodeazevedoneto311]

Este órgão é o mais potente da Europa. Os concertos nele apresentados, dão uma noção de grandeza que parece tocar o céu. É impressionante. St. Maximin é o máximo.

[@marcusvjunior016]

Mario Ribeiro de Azevedo Neto Cara Pensa num Órgão Barulhento que até eu Fiquei Surdo!!!👏 kkkkkkkkk

[@unequally-tempered]

I'm glad you've enjoyed this recording. I recorded the whole concert mainly of French Baroque and another the next week mainly of Bach but with the microphone less well placed . . . and this blew me away so much that I have not bothered to put together any of the other items from the concerts. Putting the seperate audio recording together with the video is a little time consuming!

[@Mountchoirboy]

Bravo! love the echo and sharper pitch makes the insides tremble

[@laurakerteniene7456]

Respect for the organist. Perfectly done.

[@ivan37maroc]

Very cool performance!

[@naTure-vs2ef]

Omg! It is the best pipe organ sound i've ever heard!

[@coopertje100]

l really like the registration of the Fugue! thank you so much for this video. the organist plays it wonderful!

[@zauberflute981]

Joey Wetzels c est Pierre BARDON qui est titulaire de nos grandes orgues de Saint Maximin depuis 1956 !

[@unequally-tempered]

Pitch is subjective and has moved greatly over the years. This is standard French pitch of around A=392. Victorian organ pitch was A=465. The lower pitch gives more gravitas.

[@elka8753]

Vraiment EXCELLENTISSIME .... Merci !

[@marioribeirodeazevedoneto311]

Este órgão é semelhante ao da Basílica de Santa Maria Madalena, sul da França. São fantásticos!

[@nelos1987]

I love the 16' Bombarde! This piece sounds quiet different when its played on a organ from the North-Germa style.. but i love this piece!

[@EccentricRichard]

@latribe - I was making a comment on your post about whether you liked St Maximin or Albi more, so it wasn't entirely irrelevant.

[@advisorC101]

Absolutely magnificent! I must go and play this beautiful work of art one day.

[@tolick01]

+ Jhr. Humphrey: Fabulous orgel, Brilliant organist, Merci.

[@leonardopaoletti3940]

Very nice organ, very French sounding; and with an interesting story, too.

[@AeroSixWJ]

That Cathedral is amazing! This video with that music give me some mad chills!! That organ overlooking the congregation complimenting the cathedrals high roof and Gothic architecture makes it seem like I'm actually in the old classical times when music like this was written. AMAZING FOOTAGE!!! Five stars!

[@unequally-tempered]

@DonJuan1991991 Hi! That's because french organs of this period are tuned to A=392, the Cornetton - the Cornet pitch - that's Horn Pitch - Trumpet and Horn in Bb, and it's for this reason that the unequal temperaments favour the first flat in slight preference to the first sharp

[@Maxxarcade]

I'd love to see more of the organ. I've sent a friend invite.

[@unequally-tempered]

Yes - permanently coupled. It's also possible to couple the Grande Orgue to the Raisonnance and by doing so get Grande Tierce and Grande Quint onto pedal. A very surreal sound.

[@unequally-tempered]

@LCRECORDS1 Hi! No - it's by Isnard, built in 1773 and unaltered since then. But I'm told that Cavaille Coll worked on this instrument at some stage. The Grinda brothers were pupils, building at L'Escarene and Villefranche sur Mer in the Dukedom of Davoie in 1791 and 1792, unaffected by the Revolution in France, and then moved to north East Spain - Perpignan. Together with Poitiers, this instrument is a Stradivarious of organs.

[@unequally-tempered]

The fourth manual is the Recit. The Third is the strange one, often coupled to the Grande Orgue, the second manual, for reinforcement but permanently coupled to the pedals, known as the Raisonnance with flutes at 16, 8 and 4, Bombarde 16, two 8 Trompettes (one en chamade), and Clairon 4 together with V rank Cornet

[@tubamaxima187]

I love the reeds !!!!!

[@unequally-tempered]

@quintadena16 Simplistically so - but actually many French organs of the Baroque period are at low pitch. In the days of unequal temperament key meant more than frequency (pitch). Pitch has gone up in the past century from the mathematical pitch of C-256Hz. Key defined not pitch but the relationship between intervals and our music is much the poorer for having lost that. You'll find many of my videos demonstrate unequal temperament.

[@clustaudio]

Hi there, also look at A at 432 hz, A at 440 was standardized by the Joseph Goebbels in 1939, there is a lot of info about A at 432 being closer to human frequency, this is not going against what Latribe is saying, but you may be picking up the flatness due to this also.

[@clarekuehn4372]

Would you please re-upload in a clearer version? This is the only one with the right tempo. Everyone else rushes it.

[@unequally-tempered]

Hi! Yes - the instrument still has manual bellows in working order. There are 5 or 6 bars and one stands on them in succession whilst holding on to a handrail. A bit like walking. But in practice the electric blower is always used.

[@unequally-tempered]

This is teh organist titulaire Pierre Bardon playing this instrument. To play this instrument there is nothing better than going on the "st maximin academie d'orgue" with tutor Philippe Bardon. And however good any organist is, handling these organs built to the spirit of Dom Bedos is an art unknown to all who play modern instruments, so I really recommend going on the Academie. I have tried to bring the spirit of something like this sound to England with the concert organ at Hammerwood Park.

[@TDHChoir]

The noise at the end is the stuff nighmares are made of. WOW

[@michaelseagull]

I would like to see more of the organ too, if your okay with that.

[@unequally-tempered]

@gregg53186 St Maximin, north of Marseille in South of France

[@unequally-tempered]

Hi! It's all on the reeds - trumpets, bombardes, clarions - the typical French "Grand Jeu". It follows the spirit of Dom Bedos, the father of all classical organ building since the early 18th century from which 20th century organs departed - and coming back to this sort of organ is now a complete revelation.

[@MrScrotumBreath]

I wish the video of Karl Ricther had this camera/mic recording his version. The epic of his version would'a sounded nice.

[@unequally-tempered]

It's sad to fire a trible fire hose upon enthusiasm. May this instrument always be AMAZING, to Americans, Brits, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, Germans, Greeks, and most of all the French!

[@bluestallion777]

I love how you can hear the air flow through the pipes when he plays the low C#

[@arcobow97]

Yes. A465 was used on a lot of baroque organs. Some organs i've heard at around A490!

[@unequally-tempered]

The ROAR of this organ is INCREDIBLE. It's well worth getting an EasyJet flight to Nice and hiring a car. Provided you can arrive so that you leave Nice Airport by 3pm you can comfortably get to St Maximin for the 5pm Subnday recital which, finishing at 6 will allow you to get back to Nice for an 8pm checkin with an hour to spare for the late flight back to London Gatwick. Is there any other organ in the world worth flying from anywhere to hear?

[@OscarHerrick]

What an enormous sound.

[@kensingtonpalace]

top notch. i LOVE the bass...are those strings in the bass at the beginning? Best organ and best performance of this piece i'v heard yet.

[@unequally-tempered]

If you "become a friend" I can show you a couple of videos inside the organ which I have not been allowed to make public. The original bellows are there. You grab hold of a bar like a fence rail, then step on each of five levers. It's amazing. I debate whether I like St Maximin or Albi more. I suspect that Albi is more gross power and that this instrument might be more musical in some ways - but without the opportunity to play Albi I can't say. This performance is Pierre Bardon on a Sunday5pm

[@unequally-tempered]

Oh dear! Of course! Thanks! Dylsexia and senility are starting to kick in . . . Glad you've enjoyed watching - it really is worth getting here for the 5pm weekly Sunday recitals

[@bridgediscovery1011]

THIS THE MOST POWERFUL ORGAN IN THE WORLD

[@mdsysltd5573]

such a powerful toccata.

[@eltonmax4379]

Is this part in cmajor 4:28

[@JanPost]

@latribe didn't know that! thank you!

[@Maxxarcade]

Is there a website about this organ? I'm assuming it used to be powered by bellows but now has a blower? It sounds incredible! It is sad that things like this which were built hundreds of years ago can never be built again. They are truly priceless when maintained this well.

[@unequally-tempered]

@EccentricRichard This recording is of St Maximin not Albi.

[@EccentricRichard]

@latribe - the unfortunate thing about Albi is that all that wonderful Puget material was destroyed or transformed out of all recognition. Also, the reconstruction of the old Moucherel is a bit questionable - some of the voicing is too Organ Reform Movement, putting the Voix Humaine on the Bombarde where it has nothing to blend with... just never done in the 18th Century. This isn't coming from me, BTW, this is from Nathan Laube in Toulouse and a local organist, both of whom ought to know.

[@rgnechuta]

it has that special engellic bass. Go 16 bombard and 16 diaphone-bombardon

[@unequally-tempered]

:-) I recorded the whole concert but did not bother putting anything else on KZbin . . . Simply how could anything else compare with this!? Of course the real experience is even more amazing than this and it's worth going to St Maximin, just 100 minutes drive from Nice airport. If you play, it's really worth going on the week's course there at the end of August.

[@unequally-tempered]

Hi! The original camera sound is inb the "related video" Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - sound recorded by camera . . . Season's Greetings!

[@cb77305]

These can and are being built today. Modern organ builders apprentice by carrying out intense research on existing ancient instruments - John Brombaugh's detailed study of the Schnitger in Groningen, for instance - then go on to build what they learned into their instruments. Paul Fritts (Tacoma) studied Stellwagen's great organ in Stralsund, then put all of that knowledge into his opus at Pacific Lutheran University - even building the case to resemble the older instrument.

[@zauberflute981]

cb77305 non il a été édifié par les frères Isnard

[@Vic4B]

put on the headphones laid back in my chair and said "OH WOW"

[@unequally-tempered]

Actually I use a digital recorder with rather good microphones. The organ is incredible and it's effect is enhanced by both the building and the temperament.

[@unequally-tempered]

It's partly the amazing organ and partly the position in the building of the microphone I used. I bought half a dozen CDs of the organ a few weeks ago and on at least one of the CDs the professional recording engineers did not do as well. The fantastic is part of the organ . . . However, all the CDs of this instrument are outstandingly interesting and really worth buying. One on Postclassical repertoire and others by Phillipe Bardon especially.

[@Sulien77]

Can you please tell me where I may buy a recording of this piece played on this organ? The Toccata and Fugue in d minor is one of my very favorite pieces of music and this recording was stunningly beautiful, even just playing through my laptop's speakers! If I ever hit the lottery or come into sufficient money for the trip, I'm going to make certain to go and hear this amazing organ in person.

[@arcobow97]

thats very interesting. but what do u mean im picking up on the flatness due to this?

[@cairosodersten216]

i need one of these for..reasons

[@multimapping8303]

For those same reasons I need to have someone build me a 32' chamade pipe ;)

[@LCRECORDS1]

Es un Cavaille-Coll???

[@zauberflute981]

John Smith de 1773

[@unequally-tempered]

This wasn't the camcorder mic. I had a high quality digital recorder running in parallel and I have added that sound source to this video - but audio compression on videos takes its toll. I think it has improved since I first uploaded so KZbin probably do some tweaking. The camcorder sound is on another video of this if you would like to compare. However, everytime I come to this page, I find the sound SO uplifting.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

I'm not sure what equipment you are using other than what I assume to be a hi-end camcorder. But the sound quality of your recording is very good. The organ is an awesome instrument and it shows through.

[@Biff947]

Why did you perfom those trills at 5:53 in a whole step?

[@leondorado1439]

I remember Castlevania,with this symphony .

[@gleamli]

But how do you know what is the genuine bios sound of the Earth? Maybe a higher octave of the 7,83 Hz (Schumann Resonance)? Or, maybe, would be a criterion the sound of chakra Muladhara as C (fundamental sound of life) such asserts the ancient chinesse knowledge? Could be a man-made convention (A = 440 Hz, from 1939) a sure basis for appreciating the effects of sounds over the all living on the Terra?

[@sheps999]

Is there an MP3/WAV/whatever of this recording available? I'd love to have this version in high(er)-quality :)

[@aurahalo9]

Although sort of high quality as far as the recording, its not indicative of anything to the digital standard. Usually one needs ultra high quality mics, a very high output, transparent mixer or preamp, and a digital recorder. THIS is the reason the pedal has no authority in this recording. Otherwise, its very nice.

[@unequally-tempered]

+Michael Richter The phenomenon you observe is nothing to do with the recording. This is a baroque organ and of a very different character to instruments from which one expects pedals to have "authority". Pedals in 1775 were matters of mere accessory.

[@aurahalo9]

+latribe, Ok, sorry, but I used to record pipe organ, using state of the art equipment, a well as orchestra and choir. I do know from experiance. You just keep thinking that stuff, sir, lounging in your arm chair. You didnt spend around 10K$ and go through trial, error, coping with acoustics, ect.

[@williamlewis4318]

Please both of you stop, I actually play the organ and none of you are right. Yes Mr. Latribe the pedals are an accessory on Baroque organs but here the pedal clearly is coupled to the Resonance (Swell in English) therefore giving the pedal authority. But if you mean the normal pedal stops then Mr. Latribe is right. Thank you both for this interesting debate.

[@unequally-tempered]

:-) I have personal knowledge of this instrument. ;-)

[@williamlewis4318]

+latribe then Mr. Latribe, you are right :)

[@ramil90]

German Organ = Posaune French Organ = Bombarde 💥💥

[@Ilmonarchico]

You have to hear our Bernasconi italiano organ, The effect from live Is fantastic....!!!

[@williamlewis4318]

Does anyone know the stops used at the beginning and end?

[@naTure-vs2ef]

Want the notes for the full song?

[@unequally-tempered]

No - it's not tranposed. This instrument is A at around 390Hz. It gives more gravitas.

[@stevenschalk3601]

the organ is tuned in A = 400 Hz, but this varies with the seasons, it is a dipason which was used under J.P Rameau

[@Whamesl0l]

..............wow..........

[@buxthierry5518]

à Saint Maximin on peut oser cela mais bon pauvre Jean Esprit Isnard !!! des anches sublimes c tout

[@zauberflute981]

Bux Thierry j imagine que vous plaisantez . Les plus grands organistes de tous pays sont venus et viennent encore « tester » notre magnifique instrument, dernière rénovation en Août 2019 !

[@AFilthyIbis]

best instrument to play the maccerina on!

[@martinkong070]

FUCK DAMN IT WONDERFUL AMAZING

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Whoa, she's a low gal! Almost a full half-step? Makes those lower pedal points just a bit lower tho...cool.

[@unequally-tempered]

Oh yes. Old French pitch. Around 390

[@roberthoffhines5419]

@@unequally-tempered Merci!

[@arcobow97]

why is the organ tuned flat? (below A440)

[@stevenschalk3601]

the organ is tuned in A = 400 Hz, but this varies with the seasons, it is a dipason which was used under J.P Rameau

[@marcusvjunior016]

Órgão de Igreja Barulhento por causa do Ar que Sai dos Tubos e vc tem que se acostumar com esse barulho

[@Donaldsteffy-xg9xk]

God's music

[@bluestallion777]

A German piece on a French pipe organ !

[@relaxationstation8911]

Version in c minor

[@unequally-tempered]

No. This is D minor. The keys refer to the traditional intervals between notes and therefore to key character, not to pitch. The instrument is low pitch at A=390 or so

[@relaxationstation8911]

@@unequally-tempered I mean is there a version in c minor

[@unequally-tempered]

@@relaxationstation8911 No. It's written in D minor and intended to be in D minor. C minor had a different soundscape. D to F is generally a wide minor third whereas C to Eb is generally a narrow minor third. These differences cause the keys to unlock doors into different sonic places, moods and emotions and of which we are robbed in modern equal tuning.

[@bridgediscovery1011]

Toccata and fugue in c minor

[@unequally-tempered]

No. C minor would sound very different. This is in D minor. The instrument is tuned to 390 or so rather than 415 or 440.

[@KV4671]

I rest my case

[@HappyHauptwerk]

It was fine 'til it got to the pedal entry. The organ clearly doesn't have enough wind making it sound like an out of tune harmonium on full combinations.

[@shiningarmor2838]

You're right! There's one 8' reed that sounds like an out-of-tune harmonium in the pedal for some reason!

[@unequally-tempered]

+Greg McAusland This is a baroque organ. Pedals were merely a way of playing the 3rd manual, the Resonnance. The four manuals are a configuration that takes some getting used to. Reeds and flues were not intended to be used together.

[@zauberflute981]

latribe MERCI POUS NOS ORGUES (Isnard):vos explications et commentaires sont exacts . Une « maximinoise »

[@JanPost]

sounds like c minor in stead of d minor!

[@jeanjacqueskasel2607]

on this type of organ, never mixtures were used together with reeds,because of the wind supply.to make german baroque registrations like this fellow did, even adding 16' flue on manuals is just missing the point.good fingers aren't all, for sure...better recordings of this outstanding rare instrument by Isnard here on KZbin

[@unequally-tempered]

+jean jacques kasel Yes - but the effect of this instrument in real life is STUNNING! It's not so possible to appreciate it to the same extent in a recording. Whilst the flues and reeds weren't meant to be used because of wind supply, judiciously they can be, and this performance is by a master of this particular instrument. A major factor also is temperature, and from memory it was HOT when this was recorded.

[@jeanjacqueskasel2607]

+latribe a master wouldnt just make this kind of Tutti registration on this particular instrument, its just bad.And being myself a concert organist and professor of organ,believe I know what I am talking about.And i know the instrument very well.Not to speak about the interpretation with added octaves and pedal doubling ...subject closed.

[@unequally-tempered]

+jean jacques kasel However you might like to decry the performance and the recording it expresses the piece so brilliantly with growls, roars and delicacy. I don't expect a lion to roar in any way other than inspiring the fear of God - and that's what this performance succeeds in doing on this instrument in this way. It dances, charms and works wonders.

[@jeanjacqueskasel2607]

i dont comment your style poor guy,you deserve to be ignored,but be secure nobody i ever met online was so stupidly vulgar than you.just inspires me pity!

[@jeanjacqueskasel2607]

i dont comment your style poor guy,you deserve to be ignored,but be secure nobody i ever met online was so stupidly vulgar than you.just inspires me pity!

[@hubtrowotgameplay858]

A little too slowly but generally OK

[@unequally-tempered]

No not too slowly. A common misperception. Speed of interpretation has to account for the acoustic which is part of the instrument and its grandeur. This instrument is a full sieze-pieds based French organ at 390 pitch. This grandeur gives greater grandeur to the grand acoustic and the speed of playing a piece itself of grandeur takes advantage of recognition of both.