Henry Willis Organ

Liverpool City Organist, Ian Tracey, talks about the Henry Willis organ at St George's Hall, Liverpool

[@georgemurphy2579]

Ian Tracey is the best of all worlds. I thoroughly enjoy everything you do for this craft! Thank You!

[@stevewells2327]

Remember your father fondly Ian. Spent many an hour watching him repair watches ... started me off on a lifelong passion for timepieces. I have smell of his shop now !

[@mattbod]

Love Prof Ian: brilliant player and wonderful human being too.

[@robcamfield]

I do remember turning pages for the great Noel Rawsthorne when he held this post. A wonderful instrument and well demonstrated with hugely interesting background info from Dr, Ian!

[@Azamatix]

I went to the recital in the hall where Mr Tracey played the Saint Saens symphony 3. Absolutely phenominal !!!

[@irkibby]

"...I rather think that the organ probably will win" Having heard Prof Tracey play this instrument magnificently a few months ago, I'm inclined to agree. It's a truly fantastic beast with huge potential.

[@thedemon2380]

I love Ian Tracey 🎼🎵🎶

[@aliceband5329]

Yes, he's fabulous!

[@OrganMusicYT]

Always think the case on this organ is absolutely stunning.

[@wombat1948]

I remember Ian and I climbing into the organ lofts high in the cathedral-I was working with an Elvis tribute band at the `Wooky hollow club!¬

[@leswestley6581]

Gorgeous instrument!!

[@zitaharrison5049]

Went to school with Ian in Liverpool. Whilst he was always playing the piano I tried (unsuccessfully) to master the trombone. We also went to St Paul's church were Ian started playing the Organ. Have followed his wonderful career ever since. - Alan Harrison.

[@valeriewarr8676]

Elgar Alassio Opus 50: In the South Concert Overture. Wonderful piece.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

As he says, "Who needs an orchestra?" I wonder if the buffoon with the stick and/or the sound engineer (assuming that the performance of the Saint Saens organ symphony was recorded) allowed the organ to dominate at the end? Or was is suppressed, as usual? Interesting upload. Thanks.

[@fluteceleste]

I was a bit disappointed that he only plays at the end of the Video..but thx for posting!

[@vanmusician]

A slight 'Ooops' in his comments. Wm.Best had about 5000 pieces in his repertoire- not 500,000. That would be impossible!

[@ACELog]

A lovely personal commentary from Ian. It's unfortunate that the organ music at the end was such a poor quality sound recording.

[@matthewbodycombe1592]

I would be interested in knowing the current condition of the organ too. However Ian Tracey is a top bloke and a safe pair of hands so i doubt if he would let it go to wrack and ruin.

[@richardharrold9736]

It did nearly fall unplayable in the early Noughties, but it did receive some restoration (mostly releathering) in 2006. It still needs much more.

[@andre26071955]

How is the condition of this magnificent Willis at this moment ? I still have the lp-recording by dr. Caleb Jarvis on which he played a interesting not "middle of the road"programme..

[@atmakali9599]

Great video but the sound recording of the organ makes it sound like a stylophone. Needs a sound edit.

[@Knappa22]

Even big organs in the UK seem to lack the enormity of sound you get in continental organs e.g Cavaillé-Coll organs in France.

[@andre26071955]

Keep in mind that this instrument is not in top-condition...

[@samrodian919]

Recordings can be very deceptive. Have you heard these instruments at full blast in their own spaces in person? I can tell you as an English ex organ builder ours can and do match continental organs for the " Enormity " of sound as you put it. Especially the famous Henry Willis organs of St Paul's, Liverpool, cathedrals, Royal Albert Hall, St George's Hall, and many many more, cathedrals up and down Britain.

[@at0mcollision]

The Cavaillé-Coll organ of Manchester town hall is being restored and will be playable by 2025, and hopefully at some point the CC of Parr Hall will find a new home where they use it more. And of course, there's the CC at Farnborough Abbey which has a big sound despite its small size- a feature of many Cavaillé-Coll organs.

[@Mrklavierspieler]

whats the song in the beginning?

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Mrklavierspieler It's a 'piece' not a 'song.' Someone has to be singing for it to be a 'song.'

[@jasonboynton-lee109]

@@Offshoreorganbuilder Well, that reply of yours to Mrklavierspieler was a bit sarcastic wasn't it? No wonder younger folks in general do not take much interest in the world of classical music when they get a response like this to a fair question So what if he got a word wrong? His picture would suggest he is a relative youngster and the name "Mrklavierspieler" that he is likely German / Austrian / Swiss - therefore English may not be his first language.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@@jasonboynton-lee109 We must disagree on this one, I'm afraid. If you saw a young man, with his flies undone (and unaware of it) do you tell him, and cause him some fleeting embarrassment, or do you let him go through the day making a fool of himself? Personally, I would tell him, and hope that someone would do the same for me. I once made the mistake of writing a notice with the work 'loosing' when I meant 'losing', and someone pointed it out. I have never made that mistake since, thanks to that person. Furthermore, I cannot see that my statement of fact was in any way 'sarcastic'. I see this use of 'song' when referring to any piece of music, has crept in of late, and I think it pointlessly inaccurate. Would you call every 4-wheeled vehicle a car, even though it was a tractor or a golf-buggy? Perhaps you would. I would not.

[@Brap-pl2me]

@@Offshoreorganbuilder What a dick-head.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@@Brap-pl2me Are you referring to yourself, or Jason Boynton-Lee?

[@digitalperfomer7]

More music, less words please

[@Chesterbarnes1]

Prof Tracey spent too much time talking about the Organ and little time playing it. What a waste.

[@samrodian919]

Chesterbarnes1 give the man some credit, he is only giving what whoever commissioned the video wanted. I bet he wanted to play a lot more, or did do that and it was edited out. Probably because of the crappy sound recording.