Music Series: All Bach On the Flentrop | Michael Kleinschmidt, Organist | Saint Mark’s, Seattle

Recital program: saintmarks.org/wp-content/upl...
Livestreamed May 8, 2020, 7:30 p.m. from Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, WA
Right now Bach is as essential as ever, and we are excited to be able to bring Bach to your homes through livestreaming. Michael Kleinschmidt, Canon for Cathedral Music, will offer a 70-minute program featuring three of Bach’s famous Toccatas and Fugues, and Bach’s monumental Passacaglia. In addition, Canon Kleinschmidt will offer brief commentary from the organ console about the music and the Flentrop organ itself.

[@michaelamerlan4826]

What a brilliant, prefect interpretation of BWV 565. Contemplative in tempo, reflectively restrained in phrasing, delightful in dynamic registration and on a perfect organ for it. Kleinschmidt nails it.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you, Michael!

[@donotcare330]

I got to play this organ years ago during an AGO conference. Truly a treasure to have here in this Cathedral. Btw Bill Nye filmed his season 3 segment infront of this instrument. So its got some fame to it more than other instruments outside the world of Music performance.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you Rick! That Bill Nye segment MAY be available on a certain video sharing website, although I wouldn't venture to speculate on its copyright status...

[@rifelaw]

One of the high points of my life was sitting on the altar dais at the intersection of the nave in Koelner Dom listening to Zimmermann, the cathedral organist, performing an all-Bach concert. That music in a space like that....

[@kristinprewett9464]

Michael... please continue sharing your gifts! Love you now as always. (Kris Horeis) You will forever be in my heart. (And your giggle will forever bring me joy!) Yours to be found... Kristin Prewett

[@charlesbeck6436]

A flawless performance, of flawless music, on a seemingly flawless organ. This all combined together to produce a glorious and memorable recital of "Just Bach." I have heard the performance of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor so many times, that another one begins to bore me very quickly, but Canon Kleinschmidt renders it in a new and animated way that I have never heard before. I just don't have enough superlative to give the experience of listening to and watching this video. Thank you to Canon Kleinschmidt, and all the support staff at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, WA, who made this production possible. Outstanding!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you very much, Mr. Beck!

[@stephenschaefer3949]

Terrific. Wonderful. Thank you very much. Michael, your commentary is excellent. Your previous recordings and commentary from Saint Marks have also been equally fine. I’ve played the organ a number of times in past years when I was in Seattle for work. I was generously allowed to have an hour or two on the instrument during the day. Thank you Saint Marks, Thank you Michael and your team.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you Mr. Shaefer. We look forward to the time that we are able to welcome you back into the space someday!

[@tommunyon2874]

These are some of my favorites that I listen to over and over. I can only imagine the experience of being present in St. Mark's while these are being played. Just down the hill I have had the experience of sitting on the edge of the stage at Benaroya Hall when the 32 footer on the Watgen is playing. One feels it more than anything. It is like sitting on the hood of an idling diesel tractor. The acoustic profiles of St Mark's and Benaroya differ. It would be quite a life's project to experience these works live at a variety of venues.

[@brianmccall6492]

Seems like my mother had an album of E. Power Biggs playing this organ shortly after it was built back in the 1960's. Featuring some of the same compositions that are on this program. I listened to that album over and over until it became permanently etched in my memory.

[@saintmarksseattle]

It's possible, although I've never heard of such an album, and I think it's more likely your mother's album was E Power Biggs playing the *Harvard* Flentrop-which is the instrument which inspired our forebears to commission Flentrop to build this one! E. Power Biggs played the inaugural recitals on this instrument in 1965, but no recording exists of that event, to my knowledge.

[@brianmccall6492]

@@saintmarksseattle now that you mention it, I believe that it was in fact the Harvard Flentrop. When you hit 60, I guess the memory is the first thing to go...

[@artband2]

@@brianmccall6492 Yes! One of my most treasured possessions - that recording acquired in 1961 upon which I judge all Bach organ performances! Columbia Masterworks, MS 6261 (Library of Congress R61-1155). E. Power Biggs on the Busch-Reisinger Museum of Harvard University (fifth recording since 1958 origination). The articulations and nuances of that organ and execution is unparalleled in my estimation but this performance on the 1965 Flentrop certainly has my respect!

[@irmafoster3933]

​@@saintmarksseattle Yes, the Biggest recording is from the Harvard Flentrop. I used a few bucks from my account while at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque working on my BSCE to buy the 33 rpm vinyl disc. I have that treasure to this day, though we'll worn and a bit "hissie",

[@garfixit]

God bless you 🙏 what a beautiful organ. Excellent organ playing 👏 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤🎶🎵🎶

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening, Gary! Blessings and peace to you...

[@JJKSeattle]

Your Passacaglia was exquisite! I heard the piece in a whole new way through your playing. Thank you, Michael!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening and for your kind words, Mr. Koch!

[@pieterverheul]

Well played :)

[@michaelmiller1215]

Thank you for this wonderful concert. As an amateur organist, I especially enjoyed the wonderful tone colors and variety of stops on this magnificent instrument!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Michael, thank you for listening!

[@TheProsaicCult]

Michael, you bring great credit to the great organ music of Bach. This instructive and wonderfully executed video will certainly bring newcomers to the world of organ music. Your predecessor, Mel Butler, was the organist of a church in which I was a chorister, Downtown United Pres. Church, home of the mighty Fisk. I'm guessing you have played this historic instrument. Mel was such a kind person to me, as he was to everyone he met and knew. You seem to be very much like Mel, and a fine successor to him at St. Marks. May God bless you, always!

[@michaelkleinschmidt1632]

Thank you, Uncle Phil, for your kind remarks. I first met Mel when I was a student at Eastman and he presided over the mighty Fisk at DUPC. I did get to play that fine instrument a couple times. Mel continues to attend services at Saint Mark's even while he is engaged part time as Musician of St. Luke's Parish, Renton, WA. One couldn't ask for a more supportive predecessor!

[@TheProsaicCult]

@@michaelkleinschmidt1632, I am wondering; do you have any original compositions? I have composed a great deal of organ music so I'm always anxious to hear other's works!

[@rowanlidbury]

Because this piece has been played to death all over the world, you have to make it an personal, individual performance. And you've captured it splendidly. It's easy to play, but not easy to perfect. This is one of best interpretations I've heard. Well done.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you so much for listening, and for your kind words, Mr. Lidbury!

[@ginadutschke7102]

This is fantastic Michael! So well thought-out as an educational tool. Well done. God bless you. Best wishes from Australia.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you Gina! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@englishfuguefan5872]

What a super treat! I caught this when I woke up this morning in Cornwall UK. Thank you very much indeed.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching! All the best from Seattle...

[@rojostu1]

Hello from another organ fan in cornwall UK :))

[@lucianogattellini4104]

Grandioso sia il Maestro che lo strumento!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Grazie, Sig. Gattellini!

[@DirkSchaap]

Thank you Mr Kleinschmidt for posting this on the st Marks channel. Being able to listen to Bach's fantastically music and your outstanding performance to it on the other side of the world in my home town, 20 Miles from the company Flentrop in the Netherlands. Stay healthy in this uncertain time and wish you all the best. Thanks

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for your kind words Mr Schaap! Stay safe and healthy!

[@robertganz2246]

I know of no organ that stirs my blood like the St. Mark's Flentrop. To visit it in person is to fight back the tears. How many times I have failed! And here it is, played to perfection by a first-class artist.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for you kind words, Mr. Ganz.

[@twbrandt]

This video has been sitting in my "watch later" list for a while and I am so glad I finally watched it - exactly what I needed on a rainy fall day in the midst of a pandemic and furious political division. Thank you for your wonderful performances of these great works! Soli Deo Gloria.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening, Tom, and thank you for your kind words. Canon Kleinschmidt's next livestreamed recital is this coming Friday, October 23, 2020 - please join us!

[@camilloflaim8933]

To the organo of Auditorium Linz it' s other Flentrop. I have listened here the 565, 564 toccata fa+ and passacaglia.

[@JDDexter62]

Congratulations to Canon Kleinschmidt on a fabulous program - balanced, insightful, thoroughly enjoyable in every way. Thanks also to the cathedral for providing support and encouragement for this program - and for being stewards of the church's music.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for your kind words, Jeffrey. We are so glad you enjoyed it.

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

This may well be the best neo-baroque organ in the world. Thank you for sharing this.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching! We like to think of it as more than JUST a neo-baroque instrument, but there is no denying that it does a pretty good job with the work of J.S. Bach ;-)

[@jamesdenkmann7889]

I cannot remember a more joyful expression as you have given us, Michael! Music to God's ears!

[@martipriest9839]

I watched not by livestream, but later, and I so appreciate this music amidst the chaos of these times. Thank you. What a beautiful organ, and what a talented player.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you!

[@craigbowie8925]

Michael, thank you. I grew up in the PNW and St Marks was my cathedral. I always wanted to hear Bach on this organ but was never present. What a great gift you have given me. You are simply a masterfully brilliant performer. God bless you and thank you.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for your kind words, Craig. Please drop by next time you are in Seattle!

[@josephadams2378]

Magnificent!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you very much, Mr. Adams.

[@BachTheAnimatedSeries]

Beautiful concert! I enjoyed every minute of it!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you so much!

[@petermcclung9730]

Loved seeing this live and in the posted recording. Congrats.

[@KennnnnnyTucky]

MIssed this live as it started at 3.30am UK time and it was well past my bedtime! But well worth waiting for. A challenging program of Bach. An outstanding performance from Canon Kleinschmidt. Thank you to all those who put this event together. Stay safe

[@saintmarksseattle]

So glad you could listen, and so pleased that you enjoyed it!

[@jeffpeters7223]

Some of us got up at 4am to watch Charles and Diana get married - and to hear the Westminster organ. Fine, mostly the organ.

[@TheJohn1567]

Thank you for this magnificent gift! I will treasure this performance.

[@krijnvanderheijden4222]

Beautiful concert, marvellous organist and good explanation. And as a Dutchman I am proud of Flentrop, organmakers in Holland.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching, Mr. van der Heijden! Please check out the video on our channel titled "On the Mighty Flentrop" and visit saintmarks.org/music-arts/organs/ for much more information about our beloved Dutch instrument.

[@robertgift]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@rojostu1]

I to am from cornwall in the UK, i love the old tracker organs of holland but the flentrops are so sharp in there sound :)))

[@richardmutty2473]

Thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Particularly loved the commentary about the instrument which made it a special treat. Having been brought up with a Casavant Frères (Opus 1588) in Lewiston, Maine, was not sure what to expect from a Flentrop but was very impressed. Thank you for a fabulous experience.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for your interest and your kind words, Mr. Mutty.

[@monaglesne9133]

Music for my soul today. Thank you for sharing your great instrument and using Bach as your vehicle.

[@saintmarksseattle]

We're so happy that enjoyed it! Thank you for wathcing.

[@jeremyh.1243]

Lovely

[@SuperPlumes]

Very interesting and enchanting!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening!

[@garyharger528]

Thanks so much. Such a lovely instrument , exquisite music played beautifully

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening!

[@uncletom1971]

Very well played, Michael. Thank you.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching, Tomas!

[@willg1604]

Very much enjoyed that! Thank you! Best wishes!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching!

[@robertmartin5494]

Such Wonderful Music. Thank You.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

There is something about the sound of either a Flentrop, or a Casavant. Both are like organs brought back to present time via time machine from the 1700's.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for listening, Mr. or Ms. TailofSatan!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

@@saintmarksseattle Well, I had the good fortune to regularly play a small but fantastic 25 stop Casavant. One so good in fact, that Peter Hurford flew all the way to Toronto just to record on it. It's also the sister organ to the one used by Glenn Gould to record the Art of Fugue.

[@Saxymancan]

What a treat, love the passacaglia would love to hear you play Prelude and fugue BWV543

[@saintmarksseattle]

YOU'RE IN LUCK! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIvafJmeeat2d5I And normally I would apologize for the noisy congregation chatting during the prelude to the liturgy, but right now during the closure of the building, we would give anything to hear the sound of a chatty congregation in this space once again.

[@grahaml6668]

I've listened to this organ for 40 years -- your exquisite touch is among the best I've seen/heard. Sadly, the empty building adds to the sound quality.

[@saintmarksseattle]

You are correct, alas, although the new, highly-insulating windows installed in 2017-18 made a big difference as well.

[@rolliefingaz1515]

I want to learn too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@g.k.failla9389]

One of my favorite bookmarked Bach concerts. First heard a Flentrop organ on a radio broadcast of an E.Power Biggs organ album. That's a very modern organ case. The 1991 Flentrop organ at the Catholic Cathedral here is more traditional looking, though not "Baroque " in style. From Chicago, U.S.A.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you so much, Mr Failla! You may be interested to know that the recordings (and broadcasts) made by E Power Biggs on the Harvard Flentrop were the direct inspiration that caused the leadership to commission our instrument from the Flentrop firm. And E Power Biggs played the inaugural recitals on the instrument in 1965!

[@g.k.failla9389]

@@saintmarksseattle Wow. Fascinating how things can come together like that. I wore out my vinyl E. Power Biggs Bach albums recorded at Harvard. From Chicago, U.S.A.

[@jbeck0255]

Greetings from All Saints Ashmont

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for watching! Michael will be thrilled to hear from Dorchester.

[@michaelkleinschmidt1632]

Yay! Ashmont. Thank you for watching, Jim.

[@cromorno8749]

I usually don't like neobaroque organs, but this one seems to be a beautiful instrument, and played in a very good way! Hope to play it, maybe in concert, someday. Greetings from Italy!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Thank you for your comment! We like to think of it as fundamentally more than just a neobaroque instrument, since the need to accompany the cathedral choir in both Anglican chant and choral anthems of the Anglican tradition was part of the tonal design from the very beginning. And the additional reed stops and couplers added in more recent decades have broadened the repertoire even more. Many find the organ particularly successful in French repertoire-please check out Canon Kleinschmidt's recent all-Widor recital, also available this KZbin channel!

[@cromorno8749]

@@saintmarksseattle ok, thanks!

[@garfixit]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@smokestaxx7479]

Sounded more grand at LDBC

[@lcarliner]

He curiosity: would it no be useful for instructional purposes to have an option in which the Pedal could be coupled to one of the keyboards so that a pedal only passage can be played from the keyboard!

[@saintmarksseattle]

Interesting! It's actually not possible for mechanical reasons. If the action were electric, it would be no problem, but when these couplers are engaged, the organists hands and feet are physically pulling down the keys on the coupled manual. For a coupler TO the pedal to work mechanically, one finger would have to PUSH the corresponding pedal down, and that would not be practical from a playing perspective. Great question!

[@lcarliner]

What would be needed is that a duplicate set of trackers could be constructed to access the pedal ranks. Normally, these trackers would be left uncoupled, but could be coupled to one of the keyboards when appropriate. This set would not be coupled to the pedal keys.

[@anthonylu958]

Is there a pdf program of this performance?

[@saintmarksseattle]

There is! thanks for asking: saintmarks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/All-Bach-2020-program.pdf

[@fiorenzointagliata3252]

28.35

[@bcshelby4926]

..I consider the Toccata in F more of a carillon piece due to its "swaying" rhythm and punctuating chords ,.

[@saintmarksseattle]

Interesting!

[@MrMASSEYJONES]

Not bad, But I consider T&F to be like Pepsi, when the organist puts his own little variations. I like my Bach “pure”, the way he wrote it

[@johnstevenson7610]

this idea of a calling card from the human race if you will has been done. j.s. bach brandenburgh concerto. on voyager some 50 years ago