Virgil Fox | Come, Sweet Death | Wanamaker Organ

[@johnanderson3700]

I know Virgil got a lot of criticism for many of his antics, but he was a genius, and he introduced the organ to even the youngest people who could embrace it and love it because of him. His memory was astounding: he memorized the entire Organ works of Bach; and he may not have always played as purely, whateve that means, but he spoke to a generation who otherwise would never have been able to embrace organ music. Indeed, when he played the Gigue Fugue you wanted to dance. I think Bach may indeed have been open to some of his ideas. He could play as straight as any organist, but chose a creative path in order to reach a wider audience. I was lucky to meet him on a couple of occasions, The second time I met him, although we had spoken only briefly after a concert, he looked me straight in the eye and called my name. I don’t know of any memory to match his

[@williammitchell1864]

John Anderson, I am one of those who've embraced the organ, I play the pipe organ!

[@jaredharris1940]

He put furvor and fun into his playing, hard to do!!!

[@jaredharris1940]

I've struggled my whole life tobe proficient at a keyboard, it didn't work bit I came out of it with "talented ears"!

[@PointyTailofSatan]

MY friend and I were conservatory organ students when we went to a Fox concert. His pedal technique in particular was awe inspiring!

[@dontew.6508]

**Bach’s “Come, Sweet Death,” Healy Willan’s “Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue”

[@jameslowery1659]

I played this in Methodist church one Sunday. I put a note in the bulletin about the picture it paints. Not a dry eye in the house, including mine. So powerful to even play.

[@lemare45]

"Come sweetest Death, Come blessed rest, take my hand and gently lead me on.' - Virgil Fox

[@jenflofloberg6239]

Beautiful.

[@jessicawatson891]

Wow... This makes me cry !

[@BerlinBo]

@@jessicawatson891 Is there a person who is not affected by this music? it unites something in all people.

[@steveegallo3384]

Transcendent.......BRAVO from Mexico City!

[@backtoschool1611]

​@@BerlinBo That something is that we all must die.

[@novemberrain212]

If someone were ever to say to me, "Why the organ?" I would reply, "This."

[@mamaisawesome7889]

Exactly. ❤️🎼🎵🎶🎵❤️

[@Engineer9736]

Most people still wouldn't understand, it requires some openness to quite some aspects. The organ itself, having the patience to listen to it, being open to enjoy it, knowing how to listen to it (not like i'm distracted now by writing a comment 😂), and also not seeing this as 'graveyard music' but just beautiful music.

[@simontaylor2319]

This might be possible on other instrumenys by say Pink Floyd, Genesis or Tangerine tDream for example. You've heard it on the organ & so are attuned to that instrument

[@jased30]

Rightly so. Bless you for saying as such.

[@andreasisenberg8700]

Absolutely wonderful. I find it difficult to understand why many people, especially musicians, reject interpretations of J.S. Bach's work on the grounds that they employ new sounds. I am inclined to believe that a musically gifted mind with no training would spontaneously endorse the beauty of those performances one of which we have here. And personally, I think Bach himself was such an independent mind who introduced so many novelties at his time that he himself (probably) would have applauded Virgil Fox on this one. Not as the one and only valid interpretation, but surely as one of them.

[@desertorganist]

My organ professor was not a huge fan of Virgil Fox, but this particular one he loved. Fox is in absolute command of a huge instrument, and dares to play as slowly as possible while still holding everything together. A beautiful take on this bit of Bach!

[@JohannnesBrahms]

Transcendent bliss summoned by the soulful and magnificent playing of this organ genius together with the colors and power of a great organ. One cannot imagine a more perfect rendition of Bach's sublime cry for release from this mortal coil. Everyone is granted this wish but few can express the yearning for it in a way that touches the deepest part our our soul.

[@Heightsomethinghuman]

Could you tell me exactly the name and BWV # of this Bach piece. I adore it.

[@beverlymoore7934]

I studied under this marvelous musician,Dr Virgil Fox for four and a half years at Riverside Church. He was a master teacher !

[@philhand5830]

I heard Fox say of Bach, "His compositions lift you up and clean you out."

[@EllwoodSunnell]

This is the most beautiful rendition of this work available on the entire web. It is played as it was intended by the composer I'm absolutely sure.

[@WinrichNaujoks]

Can't decide if this irony or not. It is irony, right?

[@davidgriffiths7215]

​@@WinrichNaujoks I hope you're correct!

[@michalgeppert5373]

​@@WinrichNaujoks I hope you're correct too, but i'm not sure so i must write : it actually was played as it was intended by the composer, cause he played this HIMSELF :)

[@TurtleFL]

If it's not, then it's an improvement. :->

[@Engineer9736]

@@michalgeppert5373 Well 80% was composed by J.S. Bach 😉 But Virgil Fox did some great improvements!

[@ramjetrabbit7626]

Virgil Fox recorded this on the fabulous Wannamaker's organ. I can't remember what the year was. In my humble opinion, me thinks this is THE best rendition of this incredible piece. This instrument was made for this work of Bach. It leaves me breathless, and SOOOOOO thankful for my ability to hear. Thank you for posting.

[@edwardwilliamson1863]

No question about it.

[@ne8r]

1964

[@euripidiesupman9755]

It always amazed me the way Virgil could add and withdraw stops in such a way you almost don't even notice. At the end, as it fades away, the registration changes are so smooth. I've never been able to duplicate that.

[@tshollinger55]

I once had the opportunity to meet V.F. When I shook his hand I noticed how long his hands and fingers were. He could play on two manuals with one hand at once which enabled him to effortlessly use the other hand to change stops. As you say, almost unnoticed.

[@LearningFromYou]

From what I've been told by some claiming to have studied with him, he often devoted practice time just to "choreographing" his registration changes, every gesture ingrained as part of his performance. Whether it's true or not, it is a valid course of action that I've included in my own practicing.

[@organbuilder272]

There are few, if any organists today who can hand register. They nee all sorts of electrinic gadgets. This man, whom I had the privilage to know and tune for, was the People's Organist. And he rbought Bach and so much else to the People to hear, to learn and to appreciate that grandeur of the Pipe Organ and the solemnity of the Music written for it.

[@Engineer9736]

@Collen Flarity That could have been used, but not necessarily. And also crescendo pedals have to be programmed. I'm pretty sure Virgil Fox could dream all those registers. Like the entire life of such person is dedicated to the organ, so imagine the amount of knowledge and experience he had.

[@edwardwilliamson1863]

@@LearningFromYou Yes, it was true. My organ teacher met Virgil and somewhat knew him. She states just that. Not only was he blessed with such amazing memory recall, phrasing, registration skill, fluidity and musicality and a deep understanding of the meaning of the literature he played, but he was gifted with very large hands, long fingers with a lot of reach, and he used them to his advantage. He often employed the thumb drop or finger reach up to another manual to get every single note that was needed. He never left out any minute detail, either.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

One thing people don't appreciate here is the actual recording. The Wanamaker is extremely difficult to record, because of it's huge size, and the very strange acoustics of the store. Plus Fox's registrations here are incredibly wide. So a tip of the hat to the engineer that recorded this.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Hopefully, this Bach piece played by Dr. Fox, on one of the premier worldwide organs will have a comeback. The entire album is magnificent! Many of us thought that Dr, Fox was actually Bach incarnate! Don't know how many times I cried when I heard this. Thank You, Dr. Fox, for sharing this with us!

[@barcelobrin6656]

Magnifique version, très émouvante. De plus, la vidéo du cosmos est tout à fait adaptée, on se sent monter là-haut ! Merci à vous.

[@ludomariman9968]

I loss my olders son on the age of 43 year and i m a admire of this wondrful piece of music !

[@jeffmuenster5131]

I first heard the last half of this recording 20+ years ago, and was so moved by it, I just had to hear the DJ 's announcement of the composition and performer. I quickly found some good copies and even though I was never much of a Fox fan, I have to admit he nailed this one right on the head (I was more a fan of E. Power Biggs). The best way to hear this is with headphones with no ambient noise whatsoever. Most organists could probably never play chords this slowly, but Fox makes it work, and every resolution is sheer bliss.

[@WimGelok]

Indeed ! I tried to hold his tempo. Its almost impossible !

[@shabibbabing4727]

This organ still gets played on a regular basis. If ever in Philadelphia, you owe it to yourself to go see it played.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

They have two full time techs whose only job is maintaining the organ.

[@Engineer9736]

I visited it one month ago. Got a picture of me taken, sitting on the organ bench. Got to be aware though that the daily concerts at 5:30pm are not played full organ, and there are many people just shopping and making noise, unaware of the significance of the organ that’s playing there. There are monthly concerts afaik for which they remove all the shopping mall stuff and put rows of seats down, and play the organ to its fullest. It’s better to visit those concerts. Though i heard stories that there is a danger that Macy’s is closing down the entire building. The organ maintainers would all have been fired already.

[@markhall7646]

When one knows what and Who truly is beyond death, there is no fear. Perfect Love has cast it out, and silenced it forever. I want this played when I am cremated. As my body yields to the consuming, cleansing power of the shroud of flames enfolding around me as richly as a comforter, I will rest with my fathers in the silent Memory of God. When the One True God speaks I will answer, and stand to newness of life in the Resurrection to be judged by Him to Whom all souls belong. If I am found to be true unto Him and faithful, I will know the joy of serving Him for all eternity; and if not I will return to Oblivion from whence I came, to be remembered no more. Blessed is He Who judges, for He desires all to live unto Him, and not die.

[@jeromejarrett2683]

Mark Hall Right On, Amen !!!The uftimate recessional!

[@SunSign]

Merged with the infinite.

[@joedixon18]

Beautiful words

[@BizarreSuzanne]

I had ALWAYS loved his interpretation of "Komm Susser Tod!" Its and emotional experience for me!

[@peterkralt2974]

The first time I heard this live at Macy's by Peter Richard Conte was a "nunc dimittis" moment. Absolutely overwhelming.

[@nigelthomas7960]

0:22 I think I've just listened to this for about the 200th time time.... it is ASTONISHING musicianship. I can play this piece, but not like Dr Fox..... who could? The restraint, the refusal to "push" any harmony or tempo is SO in tune with the music and the meaning. And.... from Dr Fox!! All of you who know his amazing (controversial!) oeuvre surely can hear as I do a VERY different man playing here. No ego, no bravado, no Dr fox.... he is simply immersed in JSB like no other recording of his I've heard (and loved). This was not Virgil "playing".... this is Virgil's soul laid bare. If you ever asked yourself "who was Virgil Fox?" Then you need only to listen to this. Total command, total control, totally "at one" with instrument, composer and..... I can't help myself, even as an atheist.... with God. Whatever the divine is, it's laid out in front of you right here, just like this......

[@ACELog]

My dear late father bought one of his albums, playing this organ, in the 1960's. Forever after that, I became hooked on the classical pipe organ! Oh, what a blessing it is, when we introduce our children to something beautiful and of long-lasting value! I'm forever thankful to him!

[@jadenscholzen1913]

The fact that there are no reeds being played here is what astounds me! All 8’ and below. Wonderful! The mixtures add wonderful colour.

[@richardstrahl2395]

My favorite of ALL organists Virgil Fox!!

[@malcomstanley8930]

classical pipe organ, and then one of Virgil Fox, and I was hooked again. I had the wonderful privilege of attending two of Virgil's organ dedications many years ago. One at a church in Springvale Maine, and another in Portsmouth New Hampshire, both were spectacular! This man was a flamboyant entertainer plus a genius at the keyboard. I'm sure he's playing the pipes for the saints in heaven. We miss you Mr. Fox.

[@andreasseeful]

Version Stokovski. Wunderschöne Orgel und vom bekannten Virgil Fox sehr getragen vorgespielt. Untermalt mit den Sternbildern bekommt das Vergängliche des tief empfundenen Liedes auch eine visuelle, nachdenkliche Komponente. Erstaunlich, dass ich durch einen knapp 20 Jahre alten Orgelspieler - Gert van Hoef - auf dieses Video aufmerksam gemacht wurde.

[@raywallaceforhire]

Andreas Seeger Es tut mir leid, aber meine deutsche-sprechen ist eine kleine rusty. Stokowski's ist meine am liebsten version. Ubersetzung? Danke shoen.

[@richarddecker758]

Just beautiful. Restrained elegance.

[@w46try7]

Probably the best audio version I've yet heard of this piece on youtube to date. Good video interpretation of the music as well; I think you almost nailed it.

[@Engineer9736]

It’s Virgil Fox who played it, not the uploader 😉 Virgil Fox passed away in 1980 i believe. But it’s a great recording indeed.

[@andreasisenberg8700]

Is there available a LP/ CD version of this particular performance?

[@jameslowery1659]

I love this piece. I have played it at church and it very moving . I want it at my funeral.

[@TheBlueCream]

same

[@DaleHubbard]

In the top three most astounding musical experiences of all time. E. Power Biggs - eat your heart out on this one.

[@rotory2002]

Biggs was wonderful but I must agree !!

[@davebarclay4429]

I would take Biggs over Fox any day of the week but Come Sweet Death is one of my guilty pleasures.

[@MegaFPVFlyer]

I'm 99% sure I want this to be played at my funeral. My only regret would be that i wasn't there to hear it myself.

[@christelek5415]

Me too

[@jaredharris1940]

Oh yes you will!

[@katzeolivia15]

You will I am sure

[@adagio2915]

Truly magnificent! Thank you for this amazing gift.

[@johnweddel687]

The etherial tempo and patience Fox showed in resolving those candences is sheer genious. An magnificent instrument and organist made for each other!

[@scoretogreatheights]

For your last moments on earth.

[@JimBales]

Very comforting I must say. Yes, death is not a frightening thing.

[@Engineer9736]

Jim Bales If it happens quick then it’s probably less worse than hitting your thumb with a hammer. It’s only wasteful of the life that’s gone. One time when i was young i fainted. It was just like your life is a VHS tape and they cut a piece out of it. A void in time. I don’t think real death is much more than that.

[@abk2k3aaronkauflin83]

i just sometimes wish it came sooner...

[@oucutie1]

Jim Bales Dying is the frightening part, death is the victory!

[@sneadh1]

Just dreary and depressing if this is any indication.

[@stevowilliams8279]

@@sneadh1 this song really isn't life-affirming to you? to me you can hear all of a human life inside this piece, and also all of Bach's realization that death isn't something to fear. It's even in the title.

[@therealrodney8561]

You have blessed the very angels with this ethereal creation and Mr. Fox ...God Bless You!💙

[@mikewilkinson4588]

great man ... great player.....would have loved to see him with ELP....

[@stevelee3264]

Kieth Emerson and Virgil Fox? Very interesting!

[@bluetopguitar1104]

My dad took me and a friend to see him at Wolf Trap in the 1970s. The organ hooked up to big amplifiers with Virgils narration. Really great.

[@ninathesman4084]

Sublime

[@rocketsroar1]

Many, many years ago I saw a live performance of this with Virgil Fox at the organ and a very impressive light show behind him.

[@anthonyvenini6801]

Very powerful! I was in tears during this!

so was I......

[@KeithOtisEdwards]

Nice visualizer. I thought I could see the image of Virgil Fox in some of those figures, seated at the console.

[@Esperite]

Ridiculously Good...

[@douglasbruce3501]

Glorious!

[@JLWide]

Your graphics are accurate. This is otherworldly.

[@SaveKilgenOKC]

Definitely in the same vein as Joe's Lights.

[@Arjunai]

Transcription and rendition are undoubtedly amazing (i.e. is both a serious, brave and full of trust in what will follow, as befits standing face to face of Death), but the visual component of the video has also been chosen appropriately too... :-)

[@suzannelebizarre5705]

Always loved this...

[@PointyTailofSatan]

FYI: they have captured tornadoes providing the wind for the string stops. lol

[@biffalobull2335]

The beauty of this song is in the hope Bach had in Christ and His perfect work on the cross

[@williammitchell1864]

I wish there was an 11 hour version of this!

[@danilkishinskij1548]

WE ARE MAKING IT TO THE WUTHERING HEIGHTS WITH THIS ONE!🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@stevowilliams8279]

Does anyone know if there is a copy of this recording outside of this youtube video? It sounds like its been cleaned up and the background fuzz has been reduced massively from the actual 1964 recording.

[@jimmartin181]

....not sure why this came to my in-box from my subscription to Gert van Hoef's website.

[@robertjoseph1345]

It has been said of the instrument the organ that it is indeed the most daring most glorious most magnificent instrument ever invented by human genius with all it's reeds it's strings and it's principals surely it must be a pedestal on which the soul poises to cross the infinite that separates heaven and earth Bach when he came to face the inevitable the withering the tiring and the dying of his earthly shell he had lived the kind of a life that permitted him to look his maker right between the eyes and say the words of this sublime song we are about to hear Come sweetest death come blessed and take my hand and gently lead me on Quote from Virgil keel fox

[@jamesbarclay7361]

There is a DVD available of the entire album containing "Komm Susser Tod" with a light show, but not this one. If you have a great quality sound system I suppose it will do.

[@BruceXuHasADream]

what a pretty song and view and the organ sounds great

[@iamalittleboat]

Amazing rendition. Wish the audio quality was better.

[@mumfordthepitbull4581]

Remember this is recorded in 1964, and probably digitized from vinyl.

[@spitsenschipper]

J.S.Bach .creator of heavenly music.

[@maxvulling]

And Jerry Doege the point of your post below on this particular performance is.........?????

[@PointyTailofSatan]

You will find Jerry's picture in the DSM-V.

[@SunSign]

Merged with the infinite.

[@spitsenschipper]

Bachs masterpiece .

[@spitsenschipper]

This master piece proves that J.S.Bach was in direct connection with God.

[@sneadh1]

Yeah, Satan has the good tunes.

[@Kontrapunkt12345]

Therefor God made the organ

[@WimGelok]

Fox created here eternity... 😢🎉😅😅

[@williamslusing1610]

On the day I pass on from this earth, I want this played at my funeral.

[@jameslowery1659]

It's already in my funeral plans

[@TheBlueCream]

same...

[@myopinion3431]

What a instrument.. And i'm proud to say, i'm able to play it ❤️

[@philippevanweyenbergh9822]

God is playing !

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Fox's arrangement of this is the standard now for almost all organists.

[@juanfelipe8571]

I think Bach's Komm Süsser Tod would also fit well in Evangelion soundtrack, especially this Fox arrangement which is the best version of this piece ever made... in my humble opinion.

[@alfredoa.potthoff6709]

A wonderful, unbelievable piece of music, fantastic! But every time I hear it I get into a strange, almost ghostly mood: I begin to love my death, almost to long for it. A peculiar, slightly melancholic yet joyful mood arises. A very beautiful, deep organ work which I love very much, but I mustn't listen to it too often.. It's actually a great pity that Virgil Foxe's performance hasn't even been digitally renovated - unfortunately, you can clearly hear that it was recorded a very long time ago. 👋👋👋👋👑👋👋👋 '

[@drewguild3879]

Bach's, "Tocatta and Fuge in D-Minor" is so matter of fact for me, having been raised on one of the most wonderful keyboard theater organs in Penn Yan. I think I tuned every pipe with Richard Johnson over the years (pure. Fast forward to my freshman year in college and Virgil Fox just passed away. Profressor Ashton Nickerson (Bradley Weaver and I have stories) turned me on to Virgil Fox's repertoire and this somber Halloween Piece. Or is it Peace. Since then, it has been in my library. Fox took his organ arrangement from Stowkowski's arrangement for String and Full Orchestra in the 1950s. (Link is in the comment section) J. S. Bach's "Komm, susser Tod" is taken from Schemelli's Musical Song-Book of 1736. Was it plagiarism? Here in this variation, Fox slows the piece way way down to a slower quarter note = 30. One is transported from this life to the next in peace...our celebration of Halloween and of LIFE. One notices the setting,,,(opening melody),,,the conflict,,,(man vs man, man vs nature or God),,,the climax,,,(seemingly triumphantly going to "the other side",,,the denouement,,,(decrescendo into eternal peace). A variation that has layers and textures. Many others will find this a nice tribute to our daily struggles to find equilibrium in our lives - as dad used to say.

[@afraazadamakbaralnoormulji4811]

Utterly magnificent registration & gradients (planes) A form of universal dzikr (remembering) of the ineffable (universal soul)

[@french_friesantimd]

UR Gain COLD CALL HAWHA

[@davidkennedy4845]

I'm sure Bach would have loved to hear this piece on such a magnificent organ. The organ, a masterpiece in its own right, made any organ in Bach's time seem somewhat inferior in richness of tone and voices. The advantages of electricity and technology I guess.

[@ClergetMusic]

Proof that God talked with Bach.

[@oucutie1]

Ian Clerget Yes, and that conversation was channeled straight through to Fox!!!

[@sxyslyvxn]

We're all not only part of God's creation, but also partners of the never-ending cosmic dance...

[@frankmathis12]

The Bible, God's Word Gives Us A Glimpse Into What Comes Next, Study, Find Out