Martin Baker Improvises in Westminster Abbey

[@richard1342]

Well of course, George Thalben-Ball famously improvised live on radio at a BBC broadcast of a daily religious service in the second war, and now many of us now play that piece - 'Elegy' 😀

[@iandavidhenderson]

Thank you for this outstanding improvisation on Christmas carols on such an impressive instrument. What a joy to hear the majestic organ of Westminster Abbey so very well-produced in the audio of this video. Thank you also for the fine photographs of the Abbey.

[@richardsedding8444]

Brilliant harmonies, inspiring ideas, lovely registration too. I always enjoy Evensong at the Abbey, I hear some really fine playing and singing. Thank you for posting.

[@charlesdavis7087]

I'VE LISTENED TO IT AGAIN. !!! Wow. What a wonderful mind you have. Totally impressed. Could listen to you forever and a DAY. Thank you! CVD

[@cvter]

WOW....just outstanding. Martin Baker is an absolutely astounding organist and director. He's also a very nice and generous person. He was kind enough to give me some time at the Abbey organ when he was there. There are no finer church musicians in the UK if not the world.

[@mcraewrx]

I remember when he would take requests from the choristers for tunes to incorporate. We loved to ask for TV themes like Neighbours, Coronation Street and East Enders!

[@theapmusicdepartment8333]

That is just sensational. And live to radio, no less.

[@a55b47]

Superb work, as usual, & interesting stuff, as always. I continue to be amazed at the quality of European radio programming vs. the drivel we get here in the States.

[@charlesdavis7087]

Way to go Martin! You have more imagination than a barrel full of Jedi Masters. Blessings on all you love. Christmas 2018 AD... from moi in the USA.

[@numbersix1908]

this is what it's all about

[@williamthompson4013]

I too as a student recorded that choral evensong and the improvisation was stunning..not the first improvisation...as there were ciphers...but the first advertised one. Along with David briggs, martin is one of two to have an accolade for improvisation.

[@thetenor1000]

Absolutely stunning playing! Thanks for posting this.

[@bastiendelaniau5751]

The best and finest pipe organ in the world i think so !!!

[@TheShadowGuitarist16]

You could say it's the most "Royal" organ in the world.

[@thomasredman3777]

I wish they wouldn't morph the pictures. Great tone color, great improvisation, great organ. Reminds me of St. Mary the virgin, NYC. Also, so Louis Vierne-ish.

[@charlieterry5357]

Quite magnificent! Most impressive

[@jonathanalanpoe]

Fabulous!!

[@guidokorbach]

Prima Baker, Improvisatorisch gehört er zu den Großen unserer Zeit!

[@jemgem9593]

Perfect

[@charlesdavis7087]

Fantastic! "Let nothing you dismay." CVD

[@thomasgolden5499]

Fantastic!

[@Gregg825]

Martin Baker Is an Awesome Organist and Improvisationalist. I really like his arrangement of the Prelude by William Harris that he played for Princess Daina's Funeral. I would really like to meet Mr. Baker.

[@JFSnail]

To be honest it was recorded from live radio onto video tape, then transferred to cassette tape then converted to digital! But on each transfer I have tried to keep the quality :-)

[@TheShadowGuitarist16]

6:14 WHEW! GO MARTIN!!

[@davidmoseley1988]

I heard him last night at a recital at St. Joseph The Workman Cathedral. Great!

[@TheDaiwafishing]

che magnifico organo,la voce di DIO.

[@jonnyk5614]

4:20 - epic!

[@KB7777777]

wonderfull organ sound. it must be so exciting to improv on such an organ. i wish i would have the same possibilities to play my music. 5*

[@contraposaune]

if I had time - I would love to transcribe this

[@PETfilm]

@acorntechnique No need to re-upload, just edit the video and type yt:stretch=16:9 in the tags field. Great vid, by the way!

[@Gregg825]

I would love to meet Martin Baker. I love his arrangement of the Prelude by William Harris that he played at Princess Diana's Funeral.

[@franklyfarmtours]

Pipe Organ - the original Heavy Metal.

[@jollyzekkariya]

😂

[@charlesdavis7087]

Prestidigitation at its finest!

[@MegaCirse]

Il ressemble à mon généraliste ! Belle impro !!!

[@gramps2matt]

Does anyone know of a good DVD featuring/highlighting/showcasing Westminster Abbey? One of my desires in life is to see it in person but barring that a good comprehensive DVD documentary would suffice.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

This is such an excellent video, you should correct the ludicrous 'crushing' and re-submit it. You must have gone to a great deal of trouble over this, and the results are excellent, but why leave it, sitting here, for years, maybe, in this distorted form? Do something about it. NOW!

[@davidbromwich8270]

please fix the title: "Shepherds" as in sheeep herds!

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

@nistorgxx1 Whilst we're about it, how about the apostrophe! SHEPHERDS'! (Glare.)

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Maybe ... maybe not - but would they be as cheeky as *you*?!

[@jgh548]

FUCKING HELL!!!

[@dalerider3124]

surely you can use better language that the above two words to describe your feelings about the Holy place and its wondrous pipe organ!

[@jgh548]

Dale Rider No way. The Pipe Organ is the original Heavy Metal!

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Hahahahahah! Cheeky bog-face!

[@philippedubois6725]

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[@charlesdavis7087]

One of the most interesting things about a so-called improvisation is that the composer gets to play it so many times. In short, it's no longer a true improvisation; it's a variation on a memorized improv. Love the ability anyway.

[@athecheat]

At one point though, it was originally an improv.. as the description of the video infers, this was the actual improv. And if you listen to Dave Matthews' Band improvisations of songs, they're neverthesame. This organist is a jam organist.

[@jonnyk5614]

I want to know who hit the dislike button!

[@Gregg825]

Martin Baker Is an Awesome Organist and Improvisationalist. I really like his arrangement of the Prelude by William Harris that he played for Princess Daina's Funeral. I would really like to meet Mr. Baker

[@philippedubois6725]

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[@multimapping8303]

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