Easter 2011 - Fanfare and Easter Hymn - Cathedral of St. John The Divine, NYC

Easter Day 2011 at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine, NYC, played on the fully restored Great Aeolian Skinner Organ Op. 150AB (as restored by Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc., 2008). This clip shows off the State Trumpet stop immediately after the Bishop Of New York opened the 18 foot high Great Bronze Doors at the West End of the Cathedral, followed by the traditional Easter Hymn Lyra Davidica.
The Cathedral's Organ Scholar Raymond Nagem performs at the console.
For those wondering about the capture device, I used my 4+ year old Canon S5 digital camera set to the highest video resolution. This Canon has very good audio mics, considering it is SD video! I was positioned in the Great Choir, top row, and the Canon was angled so no one could see its recording light blinking....
Link to the Quimby website, containing a detailed history of this landmark instrument and its current specification - quimbypipeorga...

[@brittmcdermott4636]

Such an Amazing rendition by this organ scholar, have heard it many times and never tire of it. Glorious Easter tide!!!!

[@gmc0422]

Those State Trumpets never fail to give me goosebumps. Very interesting fanfares. This hymn when well-performed brings me to tears, even when I'm leading it on the organ on Easter Morning at my own parish church. And yes, Glen Kissel, the persons' singing leaves a lot be desired. Only one comment, singing this hymn at this tempo in that vast church turns things to mud. I would have slowed the tempo down considerably.

[@timstoffel4799]

I've had the privilege of hearing this grand instrument put through its paces twice, but not since before the fire of 2001. Great pipe organs like this need to be heard-- and felt-- in person to really appreciate them. Their acoustic power is measured in horsepower! So vast is this space that the mighty State trumpet has to be played 2/3rd of a second before you want to hear it at the console.

[@MattHillGooglePlus]

I was singing with the choir in this video. The experience can't be described with words. It will always be an event I will remember.

[@misterzu]

Wow! Nothing quite like the great state trumpet to shout "hosanna"! I love this organ and hope to be able to hear it in person someday.

[@laser170323]

My favorite Christian holiday. My favorite church. My favorite organ. My favorite hymn. This must be my favorite video.

[@hdbikerfl1]

To this day, this performance brings tears to my eyes. How wonderful it would be to be able to hear this in person...

[@mhm2472]

Sheer awesomeness....gave me goosebumps! Oh, to be able to hear this magnificent king of the instruments live at a special service, with all the splendor they do so well there. ahhhhhh.......

[@johnruiz8758]

I totally agree! This is not the only recording I heard from there where people are trying to talk over the music! Why the living (beep) do people talk during a service!?!? Especially when music is playing! Stop, listen, and enjoy the moment for the love of the Father!! People from NYC, and Jersey and other big cities are rude hyper and can't stand to sit back, relax, and NOT Talk!! I don't think they know how to! This recording would have been so much better without the talk! Hats off to the organist and his superb playing!

[@stanleypatchoski7605]

A church organist for over 40 years, nothing PISSES me off so, as dumb ass people yap and yap during your music that was rehearsed and played over and over hoping that it would be an inspiration of the service. the thought of standing up yelling shout the HELL UP. haa.

[@organbuilder272]

ot to mention this woman who is singing next to the camera. Boy what a sound that building has. Quimby did a fine job of it though this is no longer and A-S organ and has not been for some time. Other people thought they were smarter than Skinner and Harrison. What they did was like repainting a Rembrandt. I wonder what happened to all the skinner and A-s Pipes that were removed from the organ over the years before the fire.

[@markhager2216]

I commented elsewhere too...this is a church service, not a concert. Everyone settle down. If the only reason one becomes a church musician is for absolute silence and attention paid only to them, they are in the wrong business. Plus, it’s Easter. Let people be happy and joyful...man.

[@mackie32x4]

@@stanleypatchoski7605 OR....You can just blast them with the trumpet en chamade and shut them up!!!

[@NightinMadrid]

My dad who is also a gifted Organist loves that kind of organ,it is Heavenly!!! Amazing,I believe that kind of organ along with an Allen365 3 manual organ is played in Heaven!!

[@njn3]

love to see the organist swing and sway as he plays... a true artist enjoying his craft... love to see that!

[@drewnealski969]

The organ is beyond magnificent. I wish we could have seen the processional (and edited out the talkers and the one off key singer). It was truly a powerful and glorious work.

[@MattHillGooglePlus]

@Chesterbarnes1 The organist playing this video is Ray Nagem, organ scholar at Saint John the Divine. The Director of Music at the time of this recording was Bruce Neswick. Mr. Neswick was conducting from the Great Quire for this video. The new Director of Music is Mr. Kent Tritle. We can only hope and pray that the great Anglican tradition will continue in this monumental building. Unfortunately, I think that is not the vision of the current Dean of the Cathedral.

[@robertrisk2971]

Absolutely awesome! Wonderful organist! What a fantastic instrument! I like how he sings along!

[@wpiv926]

Went to a church service here in 2011. The approximately 8 second reverberation on the organ is simply breathtaking. Quite a moving service. I plan to go back one day.

[@rholbrook0587]

Thanks for posting! I hope you were singing too! This is one of the only reasons to really stand-tall, take a deep breath, and since "heartily, as unto the Lord."

[@johnstephens2551]

What a blessing on this online Easter of 2020 during the Covid pandemic. Thank you!

[@rosannawiltshire6100]

I can picture Almighty God sitting on a golden chair, n all His angels n archangels, n saints, all adoring Him n this sort of music being played

[@Lovingvictory1]

Except for one scientific fact...the Divine Mind is not a heavenly mortal but Spirit itself void if all human traits and limits.

[@magickann]

I love a good organist. This instrument is so varied in it's colors that even open full bore it compliments the congregation. Thanks for putting it up.

[@bumblebee7922]

Just LOVE a pipe organ! It brings tears to my eyes..... ah... just beautiful....

[@bikdav]

This is a seriously great performance of this great hymn. I wish was there live to experience it when it happened.

[@joyceschultz543]

Wow, for those of us that play on our Allen Organ's in church, it's truly amazing! It inspires us to get more out of our organs than just the usual stops. Even though obviuosly we couldn't replicate the depth of what was done here. Thank you for putting it on You tube.

[@thoma57]

That was an epic fanfare! So rousing and elevating!

[@holdenmalee]

I would love to know who is talking during the improvisation between verses three and four.....no doubt something very important was happening that required immediate discussion. The music, however, is ABSOLUTELY glorious. This is what worship is about!

[@gregingotham7087]

Bravo! What a fantastic "treatment" (as Gerre Hancock would say) of the Easter Hymn. I love the balance the CSJD organ has between the fire in the en chamade and the depth in the pedal. One without the other would be too much...but together they are amazing. Skinner and Quimby knew what they were doing!

[@GloriaJanvier]

Stunning! Wow, the timing was perfect and the improv. before the last stanza timed out perfectly! Bravo!

[@johnuhr-henry9508]

ANOTHER GREAT PRESENTATION BY THIS CHOIR. GREAT ORGANIST WORK.

[@tambrosia]

Thank you for posting BRAVO what a wonderful organist and GRAND Organ.

[@madeleinebaier5347]

This. Guy. Rocks.

[@howardhadley9347]

Ray is getting his Ph.D. and yes he is fabulous and brilliant. He's also a very sweet guy.

[@maestrokyle75]

How thrilling!!! From one organist to another, Bravo!

[@kentallyn2880]

...the emotion is evident in the music, and itself, stands alone as a deep part of the whole experience. The interludes and fanfares are not played only b/c they're beautiful, which they are. The hymn is experienced while a procession of liturgical ministers, led by the cross & (if you're lucky) incense...(ever hear the phrase "holy smoke?" church incense is the origin), moves slowly, inexorably toward the altar. Music, the scent of holy smoke, and the presence. The feeling that u are a part of something that's about to happen...the procession moves with purposeful reverence, as the organ moves into improvisation and adding of pipes, the altar is being recognized as a resident symbol of the sacrifice to come. The smoke swirls upward visibly filling the space above the altar. THE ORGAN ROARS...moving into the last verse where the choir elevates its descant to join the organ in harmonious celebration! It is breathtaking.

[@charlesdavis7087]

One of the tricks a good church organist learns is while the congregation is singing... play the pedals in a kind of staccato way. It helps the congregation to feel the pulse/rhythm of the tune and prevents the tune from getting slower and slower. Wonderful improv.

[@gleitma1]

What a powerful opening to a great hymn of Christian faith!

[@oludotunjohnshowemimo434]

That's the vertical trumpet reeds sticking out. They make a wonderful and majestic reed sound.

[@Organsk8er]

I'm amazed at the audio quality with this camera! Awesome!

[@dreadnaught90]

philip: I ( a Canadian Anglican) have been in the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City....it's about a quarter of a mile from the west door to the high altar. No wonder some hymn improvisation is needed during the entrance procession! Raymond Nagem is a excellent improv organist in anyone's book. Maybe the C of E style is a lot more restrained and refined but it's good to see such exuberance demonstrated by Mr Nagem and the congregation on an Easter Sunday morning!

[@emodrmmr007]

that is some SERIOUS reverb at the end of the interlude! DDDAAAAYYYUUUMMMM!!!!

[@chiefdavisteitelbaum3343]

I love this hymn of Christ and Easter

[@Chesterbarnes1]

I was fascinated watching this young brilliant organist. I watched him closely and he is very impressive. This was the church that Gerre Hancock was organist for years I think? Whoever this organist is I wish I knew his name he is good...he is excellent and he looks like he knows what he doing. He loves his ORGAN music. Outstanding!

[@lloydzurn8763]

Gerre Hancock was at St. Thomas

[@jcastano]

Perfect tempo. Too slow -- as many play -- and the place sounds like a funeral. This is upbeat and joyful. Breathe deep and belt it out! This is worship!

[@amspcut]

jcastano You are so right!! Christ our Lord is Risen! Let the trumpets and organ sound!! Let it rip and wake them up, if they aren't here to worship and be joyful they are in the wrong church sadly!!

[@canonscottage]

+jcastano I happen to agree. And tempo is being set my the director (see the TV monitor). And, having been in this building, as spacious as it is, singing can still work at this speed. I personally wouldn't take it any faster, but I think this works. Tempo has to be so people can breath, but in so many ways must be determined by the room not some intellectual idea.

[@aldermanenterpriseinc]

YES! Do to the expansion of the great efidace, A wonder. I miss Dorothy Papadorkis.

[@rjimead]

Love the interlude and last verse !

[@crowman593]

Heaven forbid the organist show the emotions that the celebration of the Resurrection and the playing of a majestic piece of music generate. I second chupa's comment.

[@jameskropf8093]

All I can say is Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ on the celebration of the Day of His Resurrection, our Lord and Saviour!

[@ClaireDeLand]

Interesting that you find the modulations and intervals a "hindrance". As a church organist myself, I am especially blessed by a good organist improvising anything he/she will, and I can tell you unequivocally that the thing I receive more requests for than most anything else is "more" improvising and modulations between verses, etc. Interesting how we all experience the same thing so differently!

[@bikdav]

That is so true. Yet, in this case the singing, trumpets, and everything else really added to this particular performance.

[@philomela100]

Go to Quimby Organ site and go from there. The stoplist is shown and includes the small number of additions in 2008, for which there was no money in 1954.

[@vipiflower]

Glory be to Jesus!

[@MattHillGooglePlus]

@SelahPublishing, Yes, the introduction and interlude were Ray Nagem's improvisations.

[@youtubesketches110]

Love the 4ths & 5ths on the state trumpet.

[@BusterBearVideo]

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE, Raymond! Now THAT'S how this little tune should be played. Someone below commented that it was "way too fast..." NO WAY! Give me that bouncy C, Raymond! Stomp on the pedals and pound the keys. There's no stopping now! It annoys me when a sleepyhead congregation drags ass on a great song. KEEP UP, PEOPLE! KEEP UP THE PACE! I'm glad I could barely hear the congregation so I could focus on the organ. I hope they did the right thing and handed the entire collection plate over to you! After that performance, you should have spun around, jumped up on the organ bench, and winged out your cape out to take in a thunderous applause. This is the BEST version of this hymn on KZbin!

[@chen0466]

I think in the range of acceptable tempi, there is room to take this even slightly faster, but this tempo was just fine, not too slow that it sounds like a funeral, but not too fast so that there is a sense of 'stateliness' to it.

[@johnrobinson1132]

That is the perfect tempo, although surprising you can manage it in such a large space! I regret that you can hear a single voice singing, though.

[@lynnwarren6527]

Yes amen jesus christ is risen today.

[@jack6964]

Great job! Ray used to be organ scholar at my parish, Christ Church, New Haven, CT.

[@tollisengo1946]

That 32‘ orphilceide Bass Sound is just redicolous!!

[@accousticdecay]

This organ and cathedral draw the worshipper into the awesomeness of God Almighty. Now if those parishioners would hush up & pay attention. I got a good pinch if I ever talked in church!

[@Dansorganmusic]

It is The Cathedral's Organ Scholar, Raymond Nagem

[@chrisvee7650]

Impressive ! Outstanding performance

[@wheidelberg]

What a wonderful experience this must have been.

[@SelahPublishing]

Nicely done. While I presume the nice fanfare introduction and interlude before the last stanza are the improvisation of the organist, the hymn and brass arrangement is by Craig Phillips (published by Selah) that Bruce Neswick commissioned while he was still in Atlanta.

[@organisten]

Wonderful - just spoiled by everybody chatting away using the organ music as wallpaper music. "Oh missis so and so said this and that"..... "O you don't say"..... I just wish people would SHUT up!

[@joshuakraintz3786]

I love this song

[@aldermanenterpriseinc]

SUPERB! Magnificent. BRAVO!

[@ferociousgumby]

My Dad used to be a church choir leader, and when there was an unexpected hitch or delay in a processional, he'd whisper to the organist, "A little travelling music, please!" Worked every time. I would also say that it sounds like the mike is poorly placed. Nothing wrong with singing along, but we need to hear the main event more clearly. By the way, in our church we were expected to sing along to this one.

[@aldermanenterpriseinc]

The Old 1910 Aolean/Skinner organ. Don't know how much is playable after the great fire. THANK NYC fire department for saving the church. Now had THIS been BEFORE the fire recording!!!!! OH MY!

[@johnheimel5594]

Alderman Enterprise the organ was fully restored after the fire.

[@ms103127]

Great job once again, livzdave, for being the crafty/sneaky little cameraman that you are.... :D lol

[@Bigu47]

Amazing five second resonance throughout the Cathedral.

[@danvoight9393]

Wonderful; I love it!

[@jimanianortonified7015]

Many stops pulled. Church choir singing. Pews filled! Church!!!

[@ds1868]

I think you'll find the organ at St Paul's Cathedral knocks every single spot off this organ. And then it would add a few back on again.

[@stevenmildred55]

Beautiful music.

[@nancym8990]

I was at mass on Easter Sunday 1984 or 85, I heard a group playing behind the altar, was it Edgar Winter? That's the last time in NY. If I come back I will stop in. Thank You. Nancy Meurlott

[@MattHillGooglePlus]

@Chesterbarnes1 Oh! I forgot to mention...Gerre Hancock was the organist and choirmaster at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue. They have a stellar music program that, for the last few years, has been directed by John Scott.

[@ms103127]

You'd need to be there to really appreciate it. It's an amazing sound....

[@NolePaul2010]

Love the angelic voice of the child singing! The organ is awesome!

[@SoundtheTrumpet2023]

Beautiful!!

[@arnoldstollar5375]

Was here. Great

[@timothyj1966]

WOW what an arrangement !

[@jeffward920]

I absolutely love the sound of this organ, and the organist is FANTASTIC in his improvisations I think - I wish I had been there to hear it in person, and hopefully would NOT have been close to this girl singing (not so well) while recording the video - I was also amazed at how rude people can be talking during this recording ....

[@Andrewcarey87]

that is HOW you do "Jesus Christ is risen today".

[@crowman593]

One can even see that the organist has a closed circuit TV on the top of the console so that he can watch the procession AND the music at the same time! Not only this, the improv between stanza 3 and stanza 4 of this hymn is very appropriate in any setting as stanza 4 is doxological with its reference to the Holy Trinity so in honor and reverence to the Trinity, the organist will add some extra brilliance. In this case it was 2:30 of this so the procession could conclude.

[@DHS11999]

What can be distracting are the stray voices being picked up by the microphone.

[@pfretz13]

I am pretty sure a fire came through there when they were restoring the place. Maybe this wasn't what it was before, but sounds pretty good to me.

[@MusicBear51]

Paul Fretz there was a fire and the organ was restored by Michael Quimby. We have a Quimby at Catalina UMC in Tucson.

[@kiqw]

Great choir and organ but we could have done without the out of tune woman who was too close to the camera microphone. :-(

[@AlexanderCrump]

She .. or he ... is singing from their heart, and that's why we're supposed to be in church.

[@bobaddison8399]

Good job! Amen!

[@joeyf504327]

So sad that the mic has a strong high pass filter.

[@elija416]

AWESOME!!!!

[@gramps2matt]

OK gotta admit I watched the video in this video that being the CCTV monitor to the right of the organist showing the conductor directing and the organist watching for his cues. Best part near the 3:30 mark as the conductor starts to get swamped by folks in the procession getting to his area in the church. Once order is restored he conducts again.

[@ringeradam4575]

I would actually pay for an album just full of fanfares.

[@keithdavies6316]

Fantastic organ work on the Easter hymne

[@jeabo0adhd]

I am familiar with to two organs in who Quimby voices. He always makes the reeds really harsh. The flues are nice though.

[@XY_Dude]

Where's Dot?? She was really accomplished on that pipework.

[@Contrafactum]

Wow, even at St. John the Divine people can't shut-the-bleep up.

[@drewnealski969]

Golden rule of videography: If you’re recoding, STFU. You’re too close to the mic. This was a grand and majestic version of this glorious hymn, and I was distracted by what sounded like one of the chickens from The Muppet Show singing.

[@bendixon5845]

I agree. Kent Tritle will not willingly acknowledge what a service he rendered for the substantial number of guest organists (invited by Bruce Neswick) that he "released" from the recitals schedule...

[@ms103127]

Goodness gracious! How many organists/directors of music has the Cathedral had in the last few years alone?? I'm waiting for Dorothy to make a come-back in a few years, and for Paul Halley to retire there....lol

[@cyorgan]

I was there for that. :D

[@organistspectacular]

IMPRESSIVE!!!

[@TomTallis529]

Yakitty, yakitty, yak. The organ is playing so loud we have to yell!

[@lewisharvey98]

What’s the arrangement of the fanfare before the hymn? Marvellous!

[@ms103127]

General improvisation is a standard action of an organist -- especially a cathedral organist -- to not only give the clergy and choir time to process/recess, but to add to the majesty/divinity of the service. Yes, your cathedral organists in Great Britain do this as well....sorry! :D

[@am98101]

Magnificent! Would love to know who wrote the fanfare and arrangement of this hymn!

[@tomhenkel8830]

Yes, David, that was wonderful! Was that your Mom singing along? If so, she was basically on pitch.