Toccata - Mannheim Steamroller

[@themusicalbunker]

This is the music that audio dealers and furniture stores kept around to show to potential customers. I recall when it was used to test SPL in car 🚗 audio shows. First in cassette, then CDs 💿. Great music and great memories. Thank you, Chip Davis.👍

[@oig40203]

I remember going to the Pied Piper music store in Huntington West Virginia in the 80's and hearing this on Klipschorns in an acoustically treated room. The sound was amazing.

[@BrianClark23]

This entire album encompasses my entire childhood. Every. Single. Song.

[@SanDiegoUteFan]

You’re welcome, Brian!

[@SanDiegoUteFan]

I first heard this on vinyl on a pair of Klipschorn AK6 speakers at a high end audio shop in Salt Lake City called “The Sound Room.” I was sold instantly. I had barely enough money for a pair of Heresy which I bought on the spot. I traded those in for a pair of LaScalas and never looked back. By any measure, the entire album is a masterpiece. I wonder how many times these notes have passed through my ears. The exquisite writing, production, performance and editing continue to age well.

[@BrianClark23]

@@SanDiegoUteFan I still think I was born in the wrong decade. Wish I could have been there to experience that. Love this!

[@flerebear4203]

We’re we neighbors? I literally don’t know any other kids that listened to this kind of music!!

[@That_80s_Geek]

For real 100% agree

[@KOIamericasSpoof]

Timeless classic... If you are an audiophile, this is a must have.

[@angelperez7891]

Ageless song track to the max! This is one song that spawned vocals like ABBA's Chiquitita, judging by the bill of instruments used, including the harpsichord, which sticks out like a sore thumb as in this Toccata track.

[@vrghr]

Agreed! Not only a fantastic tune to enjoy, it's one of the best "test tracks" for a good audio system ever made.

[@vonee1]

I first heard this on my birthday about 8 years ago. We went into a pine forest for a picnic. There were butterflies and bees - it was magical. Suddenly, out of the pine forest, about 5 cows wandered in and milled around. We sat dumbfounded and enthralled as the music played and the cows stood and seemed transfixed. I remember being overwhelmed with joy - my 47th birthday will always be remembered with this music. Thanks for putting this up.

[@markyounger1240]

Best mastered song in history

[@CENTEXRailProductions]

OH Wow!!! I've had this tune stuck in my head and have been looking for this tune for like 30 years!!!

[@randyhay4740]

Literally 31 years for me. I heard it at a car audio contest and have been trying to find it since. I found it last night on a post in a car audio SQ group. WoW

[@gwernette5971]

first song I heard on a true hi-fidelity system back in the late 70s. Hooked me on the Steamroller for life

[@tdave1234]

Just got home from their Xmas concert. This was part of the playlist and it was amazing live. Been a fan for 32 yrs and finally got to see them perform.

[@RufusZerep1961]

Cry every time I hear this. Wonderful music!!! It hurts so much. Always someone has passed !

[@markyounger1240]

Best song ever for testing the quality of sound systems. Has the full range of everything.

[@domlimited1264]

In my computer store I still use this song for demo on audio equipment so people get a better idea of what their buying it sad their not many home town computer stores around anymore

[@angelperez7891]

Who eould hate this song for it!?

[@josuedelucca7252]

Yes! Blew several speakers back in the early 80's with this masterpiece 😊

[@lorenzoaguilar318]

25 years and I finally found this! This always was in the radio 😢🥹

[@RetroFreak35]

Heard this on the TBS Evening News back in ‘80.

[@motzPHaragas]

In the Philippines, this music acts as the theme music of a 1995 educational program on PTV, CONSTEL's Chemistry in Action. Thank God for the music finder on KZbin. 😀

[@josepheyes4597]

I wonder where is the teacher now

[@johnchristiancanda3320]

And "Banat Visayas, Sulong Mindanao! Maayong Hapon Sugbu!" of ABS-CBN RNG.

[@ColossalSquiid]

Here to pay respects to this legendary song 3/3/22

[@throbgristle]

Audio west demoed their stereo equipment with this. I dropped half a years wage on audiophile gear there! Well played audio west!

[@markyounger1240]

Only song to test your equipment

[@freedumb2003]

Thank you for posting this!!! You have no idea what golden memories this cut has for me! I was at a M/S concert and had a chance to spend some time talking with their manager. Did you know Chip Davis was an oboe player in High School and that started him on his pursuit of Classical and Renaissance sounds? And this song is GREAT when played on a blasting high fidelity system. :) People who have never heard it literally stop in their tracks!

[@BADprid3]

its amazing how music can bring back old memories

[@mda037]

This is classical music that could stand up to some of the best proggresive rock out there. You could play this at a party and the stoners would say.....woooh...what was thaat maaan....

[@ramtha9]

One of my favorites of all time. Mannheim Steamroller is so great. Thanks for posting MannheimSteamrollers! Peace to ya!

[@Platos-Den]

This is what they played when demonstrated my speakers way back in the early 80s. I was easily sold.😊

[@scudrunner79]

Fresh Aire III is amazing! Chip Davis is the man.

[@TransistorBased]

Just saw them in concert last night, this song was mind-blowing!!!

[@zaxsp1118]

I just saw them last night myself. and I share your exact feeling.

[@Littlun17]

+Derpancakes I saw Mannheim Steamroller a couple nights ago and this was my favorite song of the night. The bass parts were especially breathtaking.

[@zaxsp1118]

Oh for sure. I just saw them in Chicago but a week or so ago. it was amazing just as you said.

[@angelperez7891]

It still is!

[@spyr0guy]

2018 and I'm still looping this.

[@bergennorway]

2023 and playing this, still…

[@Wess-S]

​@@bergennorway2024 😤

[@luismanuelsanchezmunoz7689]

Esta canción fue usado para el programa ContraPunto de Frecuencia Latina ( hoy Latina TV ) de Lima - Perú en la década de los 90

[@McKIMBLE2]

Ya ¿¿¿¿¿Y????

@@McKIMBLE2 y tú eres un imbecil que no conoce de historia peruana

[@leninfasanandomelo3731]

Cierto. Justo llegué aquí por ese recuerdo. 😆

[@kevinbarnard3502]

Had this album on vinyl, then cassette and then CD--along with all the Fresh Aire albums until V which was first I bought on only CD. This song used to be local NBC affiliate's morning show opening theme waaaay back when.

[@JR614]

The first time I heard this song, I was 5 years old and it rattled around in my head for years until I heard it again in high school and learned about the great Steamroller. Now 30 years later it is still one of my all time favorite instrumental songs. Hear hear for Chip and the Steamroller!

[@angelperez7891]

With this song, we have been "programmed" by the "Chip" from "Davis Electronics" to appreciate its timeless beauty! It made an impact true to the name of the creator that ran over us, like the Mannheim Steamroller!

[@StratoArt]

This was best heard on high-fidelity vinyl records. The sound of this piece is even better than on CD, believe it or not. I remember listening to this on a friends awesome stereo system back in the mid 1980s. Perhaps my favorite along with "Cricket" and "Amber"

[@JonasClark]

Pardon my late reply. I had no idea their "G Major Toccata" (or thisd one) wa=ere in stereo until I found the LP version.

[@AJMWriter]

I know last year they opened with Come Home to the Sea, one of my fave pieces of all time, and I couldn't be there. I can only imagine how that sounded live...amazing. =)

[@flerebear4203]

My dad used to sell cars and this was on the demo tape they played that was installed with all the Bose speakers back in the day, lol. My brothers and I never got sick of listening to Mannheim Steamroller after that

[@jennifero.394]

Can't wait to see these guys

[@PyramidOfBubbles777]

First heard this gem when it was used as the intro to the CTV National News here in Canada back in the late 70's.

[@BooBooDaBleezy]

OOMG THE MEMORIES

[@JackLambert44]

Indeed so much memories

[@BooBooDaBleezy]

Jack Lambert YUS

CONTRAPUNTO

[@markyounger1240]

The best audio mastered song in history. Listen to this with high fidelity speakers. You won't believe it.

[@wildweedle6012]

Reliving some tunes from my youth. Thanks!

[@elkinsinboxinc]

This was once used as news music for WTBS.

[@Mcfaddenskyler]

elkinsinboxinc Was also used for the 1970s OEPBS logo, albeit slowed down

[@PaulR1711]

elkinsinboxinc Here in Peru too, in its Channel 2 there was a news program named "Contrapunto" and used this song.

[@daniellowell2157]

It was also used for WFSB's Eyewitness News Magazine during the 1980s.

[@idelsagil9129]

Used In KMTF 18

[@SirVladHarkonen]

thanks for uploading the song , i was looking for it for a long time

[@FloridaUrbanExploration]

played all throughout tomorrowland at the magic kingdom from the early 70s until around the mid/late 90s.... RIP childhood

[@jennifero.394]

What!!! Are u kidding me???

[@bwhissel]

I poster is confusing this with Baroque Hoedown, the theme of the Electric Light Parade.

[@getyerkix]

Florida UrbanExploration I could have sworn I was on the skyway one time and it stalled and this music came on ad sort of an “alarm”? Did I dream this?

[@TransistorBased]

It's sublime setting this sequence up on my Poly D and letting it play for a while. It's spot on to the record. Simply a two-oscillator triangle patch tuned closely and an open filter. I'm pretty sure every synth bit here is the Minimoog, and that's how it has so much power.

[@ebolaoutkast]

I grew up with this

[@douro20]

The rich sound of the Prophet 5 and the Oberheim Four-Voice...

[@TransistorBased]

Where did you hear that?

[@Wolfrage76]

I wonder what instruments were played ta make this classic shiny gem of an instrumental music?

[@uni126corn]

Very Yes like... love it!

[@octopuscollective]

@nudist0885 you are correct with 5/8.. but if you are really stoked on the impossible change between quarters and sixteens, then to be precise it must be 12/16's or else you would come up a quarter note short. glad you heard this song.. this too was a childhood relic of mine.

[@kp4ia]

Alive & Kicking !

[@la2lvtom]

@frank0357 I believe you might be thinking of "Tocatta and Fugue, in D minor" by Don Dorsey from the album Bachbusters. That version had the wicked lows that everyone back in the day was demoing. Don't get me wrong, this version is fantastic but it just does not have the low end like Don Dorsey's version

[@yazjes6436]

Nostalgia😢😢

[@fvazquez64]

Uuuuuu.... I saw them in Mexico around 96-98.... real geniuses all of them, superb music...

[@eduardososa2058]

Fue en Nueva Rosita, Coahuila?

[@fvazquez64]

@@eduardososa2058 No, yo los vi en el auditorio nacional en el DF

[@NitrousOxideYiff]

Cool my friend i have a never seen vertion of that sound , and your objetive in the description is so great n_n!!!

[@Covencraft]

Great for checking Mids, Tweets, and Lows

[@markyounger1240]

If you have a big woofer, it will blow your mind.

[@bbobt9863]

1979: Fidelity Research phono cartridge and step-down transformer, FR-12 tonearm. Denon AC direct-drive platter in a Mitchell Cotter B1 base; Mark Levinson ML-1 preamplifier, LNC-2 crossovers and ten (10!) each Mark Levinson ML-2 25Wpc class A monoblock amplifiers. ML Hartley-Quad-Decca system modified with Magnepan Tympanis replacing the four Quad ELSs. Each channel, two ML-2s for the wall-mounted Hartleys, two for the Tympanis and one for the Decca. And, the Toccata. Garland Audio, San Jose, CA. For a broke college student, Nirvana.

[@JackLambert44]

In 1979 I was just 1 year old

[@Wolfrage76]

Jack Lambert 4 years myself at that time.

[@content4502]

No, www.google.com/search?client=opera&hs=dh3&q=levinson+hqd+system&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVzrix8O7dAhU0IDQIHcnoA8IQ7xYIKigA&biw=1215&bih=535

[@creepychrysler]

This song was always used by my brother at all the IASCA events back in the late 80's early 90's ..

[@JeroenTel]

Really REALLY nice! Reminds me of my 8-bit history, so I can be assured it's timeless.

[@creepychrysler]

@frank0357 what state was this injust askin

[@franciscotrujillo3632]

I like to much this video or i want say this theme very good

[@TheRulobass]

Nice music

[@frank0357]

The first time I heard this song was in my freind Heath mini truck back in 1990.He had 16 15's in his Nissan pu.This song sounded great in his truck.LOW LOUD & NASTY that was the name of Heath's truck.This song was used for sound competion.Heath that summer hit 157.3 SPL in his truck

[@LocalDogRescue]

@valeskaheq2 i had to laugh when i read this, i was about the same age when my dad bought his hi-fi "Bose" stereo along with this album. I think they were using it as a demo in the store. He played this song so many times it's been burned in my head the past 30 years. When I finally decided to look it up a few years back i too thought the group was called Fresh Air. Took quite a while to track it down, but im glad i did. Sounds as good now as it did back then...

[@andorerolents1600]

This makes me feel like playing Astro Warrior or going to the Space with a crew

[@RobbyMinx]

This stuff isn't well-known, but I'm almost glad for that. It truly does stand with Progressive Rock tho. Most progressive Rock sucks and it's in my top 3 favorite genres.

[@planetrob555]

I first heard this song back around 1981 or so.

[@narcisogalan3496]

Inmenso sonido de los 80 que pieza hermanos ??

[@nudist0885]

As I'm sitting here listening to this song on June 28th 2010 (for the first time in my life I add) I'm wondering what the time signature is between the beginning and 0:48. It actually took me listening until about 0:58 to get it down to a very allegro 5/8 or an impossibly difficult switch between 4/4 one measure and 10/16 each of the next 3 measures. (8^) (8^) (8^)

[@ryancarroll1697]

nudist0885 it’s in 7/8 or 7/4.

[@TransistorBased]

It's 5/8

[@nikkiwisor7512]

Don't Forget: Maria Saga Yuriko Electro Mark Sumo Guillermo Millenium Pedro Vivasix Victor Brisa Joseph Phoenix Carlo Ibiza Juliette Punto Xiuping Drott Bowen Halftrack Jose Pax Dylan Jupiter Delilah Jolie Sho Ypsilon Millie Sherman & Bernd Horizon

[@Ccrazyfella]

The firs time I heard this song was on a local Sunday Morning talk show. I forget the name.

[@j3rdog]

The alexandria, la local tv news had this as their bumper music in the 80s

[@loveheelsandlegs]

thnks 4 sharing

[@TheOriginalScoutBlue]

Awesome song! Much better than the one by Bach.

[@eduardososa2058]

98 División Noticias de la XENR, de Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, México

[@AerojetGeneral260]

thumbs up if you heard this at the magic kingdom prior to 1993

[@getyerkix]

AerojetGeneral260 OK now I’m theorizing that I was not wrong. I was on the skyway and it stopped and I heard this theme as sort of an “alarm” either that or it just happened to start playing at the same time as a coincidence

[@gto66solstice08]

@mda037 No Doubt Re: the Stoners, Fellow Mannhiem fan...

[@christiansloan243]

SUBWOOFERS

[@OALXI]

From The Oregon Network

[@AbsoluteDigitalPictures]

Ah, so THAT’S the PBS logo I remember this from! Thanks for refreshing my memory!

[@fourfrombattleforbfdi7243]

From the Oregon Network

[@max6525]

A mi Bro que me oriento en la musica...

[@nikkiwisor7512]

Guess Who Invited To Violet's Wedding Nick Thema Siobhan Yeoman Abe Gregoire Tomoko Zephyr Ashley Giulietta Luca Rosa Megan Stag Ian One Chris Indigo Sota Yplison Helen Nova Barbara Hijet Hiroshi Navara Steve Yaris Maria Spider Vincenzo Blazer Ai Gemini Yoshi Expo Shouta Yukon & Anna Giulia

[@Bonewmobile]

auto show Db test song

[@oscareneitortris7953]

Who's still hearing this awesome song in the 2020?

[@TheScarefaceeeeeeeee]

Contrapunto año 2000

Año 1989

[@elizzerscott5927]

0:21 FROMTHEOREGNNETWORK.

[@Mcfaddenskyler]

Elízzer Scott True!

[@jackstein104]

@mda037 lol i don't know about that, i think you're living in the 70's. Im not saying that this ain't good, but it's definitely an acquired taste

[@Wodenhelm]

This is absolutely horrible.