David Wickerham -Gershwin selection

Dave plays a medley of George Gershwin works at our November 2012 TOSA show at the Orion Centre in Sydney. Sound was recorded in Hi-Fi A-B stereo using 2 x Rode NT3 mics. High quality speakers with a strong sub-woofer, or headphones (e.g. Sony MDR-XB300) will give optimal results.

[@iamrepete]

I've known this artist for over 30 years and his hand registration of most everything he plays still amazes me. In fact,everything about him amazes me! His family has been suffering through a health crisis recently and your prayers and good wishes would be appreciated.

[@NakedMuso]

Absolutely tremendous. What a fantastic masterclass in registration, arrangement and technique. Thrilling from beginning to end. Thank you.

[@bernicebarnes3484]

Simply beautiful playing...outstanding work! Playing the organ is a wonderful act in itself. I wish I could play but I can't carry a tune in a basket...LOL! But I appreciate this so much. Thank you!

[@joeloewy]

What an outstanding tribute to George Gerahwin and his mentor Joseph Schillinger. You have given us a magnificant musical moment. Thank You, thank you, and THANK YOU!

[@TramcarTrev]

Great interpretation and skilfully played. I most enjoyed this performance...

[@Kimdino1]

WOW, I WISH I COULD DO THAT! Dave Wickerman is a marvel. And he weaves in the different tunes so well with, at times, one Gershwin tune supporting another. Also he used the organ so well. A reminder that a good theatre organ is a lot more than just a big pipe organ. Also, kudos to the organ builder. That is a magnificient beast! With so many going to the scrapheaps, it's great to see one at the top of its form. Sydney, please look after this beautiful instrument. Electronics, though cheaper and smaller, just cannot replace it.

[@robertm2000]

Theater organs were originally known as "Unit orchestras," a brand bestowed by their inventor, Robert Hope-Jones. Any good theater organ will prove the truth of that, especially in the hands of an good organist, like David Wickerman! That is what I love about theater organs - the orchestral sound with its wonderful depth and breadth!

[@jamesdunn8893]

I absolutely love robot Wolfe he's quite a showman this guy can play anything 👍😄🏠😉

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

You couldn’t have said it better! Digital stuff can be excellent, HOWEVER…….NOTHING, BUT NOTHING, can replace the original wind blown pipe organ - digitals sound like fax machines used to look!!!! (PS, I’m a pipe organ builder, so naturally biased!!!! Cheers, Adrian in Bermuda ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Harry-qf8gh]

Lol, yep, I bought a winch also, to pull logs out of a ravine. Haven't used it yet, but then the logs are still down there. Maybe some day! But I do love my spinner. In fact, I'm so used to using it on the tractor, that many times I go to grab it on the lawn mower. But, it doesn't have one! Thanks for 2 more great vids! I can't wait to see what color the barns are gonna be!

[@philipcoury4669]

Phil C I'm 75 and have been a theater organ fan since my first George Wright HiFi LP. This Gershwin Medley is right up there at the top of my Theater Organ favorites. Many thanks.

[@davidcarson4421]

I am familiar with George Wright because of his transcriptions (ETs) for the NBC Thesaurus Program Service. Curiously, he performed on a Hammond Organ. Dick Leibert was their theater organ guy.😮

[@wcanner8946]

Absolutely great 👍

[@joanerhard454]

Why change it it's fine!

[@BillPfaffenberger]

Wow!!! What a great performance! It did George proud.

[@ALmyPaLFPV]

Sounds amazing ! I used to go to an organ pizza place in greenfield wi to watch Dave play when I was a kid . I always requested the Beverly Hills cop theme song , and Dave always delivered with style . Amazing !

[@morrisrainville8814]

Fantabulous playing David! You are not only terrific with Gershwin but you know the Wurlitzer organ and it's many complex features which enable a genius, like you, to be able to bring out the organ's most brilliant features. Kudos David!

[@frederickfarias9515]

Beautifully played, very theatrical to his grand drum: Medley of S'wonderful, I've Got Rhythm, Summertime, Fascinating Rhythm, Our Love is Here to Stay, American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue, Swanee, Strike Up the Band.

[@adrianmlridgewayarcmlramll1965]

Again, absolutely fantastic, Dave at his very best! Everything from Moon River to the Widor Toccata in F, and at what a pace!! How he does this is really beyond me, no music, all from memory and all seamlessly joined together - what genius talent!! I’ve always love the way Dave uses the organ so dynamically, wonderful registrations and color! I think one of Dave’s tremendous features is his professional pedal work, just as good if not better than many classical organist’s….but boy, does the Astoria organ sound so marvellous with Dave playing, as only he can!!!! Thank you for sharing, and thank you Dave for your brillent musicianship!! Adrian in Bermuda❤️💕💕❤️ - PS - as an organ builder, it remains my greatest hope and passion, that one day we will be able to install Bermuda’s first Wurlitzer in one of our theaters or large auditoriums! Please pray for this, if it happens, Dave will be the guy to open it!!! 😀😀🥹🙏🏻🙏🏻💕

[@greyantelope]

Spectacular. Dave is right up there with the best of the best

[@edwardtsmith5484]

THE JOY of your playing is greatly appreciated and made my day! THANK YOU.

[@landsnailproject2875]

My God ! That really was something else ! ! !

[@SAMSON12321]

Excellent display of talent as well as capabilities of the pipe organ... WURLITZER???

[@mainaccount131]

Excellent

[@marjabosmann6927]

Magnific

[@daviddiffenderfer3836]

Always looking forward to Dave at Blackwood in Harrisville, Pa.

[@rickmiller462]

I remember Dave playing the Kimball in a Milwaukee area pizza joint, eons ago. What a talented guy.Alas Las Vegas is now organless since you played at the Fiesta.

[@marshallryan5058]

[@rickmiller462]

Marshall Ryan

[@mistertentpole]

Pizza and organs. Are there any left?

[@pulchralutetia]

Sounds like an orchestra!

[@ECsponger2]

I love how David says, "nothing's ever played the same way twice". He is exponential! *edit: "nothing I play is ever the same way twice."

[@dirkzelle6708]

Hervorragend.

[@davidcarson4421]

I haven’t seen any information as to maker of this organ; Morton, Wurlitzer, something else?

[@davidcarson4421]

Wurlitzer

[@Wanamaker1946]

....ok, David Wickerham is as prodigious as George Wright. Stupendous!

[@danielmkubacki]

Well done.

[@patmower46]

What an amazing performance. But then, I am trying to find one that isn't!

[@jackmontreal1]

wow

[@YoungViolonist]

Is anyone able to list all the songs in this medley ? I don't know all of them but would like to discover them :) !

[@bernhardklopprogge6702]

Go

[@ZestyLemonBoi]

блистательный

[@filop]

Sounds like a Heap of Chooks going to the Slaughter House

[@bryangl1]

Rhythmically a bit odd in places (mainly opening phrases) and often shows off his enormous skill making registration/tempo/style changes to the detriment of the musical line, but otherwise great playing although often not idiomatic Gershwin. Then again, does it need to be idiomatic? I think yes to a reasonable degree; the composer, particularly a great one, should be respected in arrangements. So:- spectacular playing, but often poor Gershwin.

[@Harry-qf8gh]

Lol, yep, I bought a winch also, to pull logs out of a ravine. Haven't used it yet, but then the logs are still down there. Maybe some day! But I do love my spinner. In fact, I'm so used to using it on the tractor, that many times I go to grab it on the lawn mower. But, it doesn't have one! Thanks for 2 more great vids! I can't wait to see what color the barns are gonna be!