Widor Toccata at St-Sulpice - Scott Lamlein, organ - July 3, 2022

[@fastcoffee9878]

We come to St. Sulpice every time we visit Paris in the hope of catching the organ in action. It is pure euphoria to have your soul shaken and rattled in the way that only these giants can.

[@ogilkes1]

Played at a correct pace, one can hear its majesty.

[@johnny.3693]

Glorious and played at perfect tempo.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thanks so much!

[@marccheban194]

Sir, you are one of the few organists who has paid attention to the articulations indicated in the opening section, before the pedal enters. Thank You!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, Marc! Truth be told, I don't always feel that articulation works, depending on the space, but here, in "Widor's room", it surely does!

[@krischan67]

Imagine you are casually coming into this church as a random tourist and the organ starts playing THIS! I would probably be standing there, with an open mouth, gasping in awe until the organist is done!

[@mattiasbos3159]

You actually see this happening with the lady in the pink shirt walking outside at 0:33 behind her husband in the red shirt, and then reconsidering and staying at 0:37 gasp in awe haha

[@thunderjax]

That must be the thrill of a lifetime to play the composers organ and the composers piece. And so well done!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Yes it was! Thank you so much.

[@marciamcguire6501]

Had to hear this again of course ! Sent it to my friends.... just the PERFECT tempo as Widor intended - let those pipes have their day ! Executed brilliantly !!!! YESSSS !!!!!!!!

[@-mm-4434]

My wife and I chose this song as the recessional for our wedding. It has so much life and hope woven within the melodic and harmonic passages.

[@Calvadoslash]

Us too for our wedding. The renowned composer David Farnon did the honours.

[@kentbloxham3826]

@@Calvadoslash I do agree, it was played more slowly than even I had ever heard it played before. Nevertheless, I loved the deep rich times of this particular organ, so it didn’t worry me too much and I did enjoy that he really used the rich deep footnotes to their full extent which I enjoyed, because I feel that they really add to the drama of the piece, yet so many organists I feel, seem too scared to use them adequately. I will understand if you disagree with the comments I have made. You are welcome to criticise my comments. Yes, he could have played it a little less slowly and if it had been any other organ, particularly one not as large, I would have definitely wanted it to be brought up to the speed for which it was written. Thank you though for your comments. I appreciate your feedback. Warmest wishes Kent🙏🕊✝️🕊🛐🕊🙏

[@davidcraggs3770]

This piece is abused by a lot of Organists by the tempo they play it, which has turned it into a show piece and a demonstration of playing ability. I am not impressed by demonstration of playing ability when a composition is performed in a style contrary to the composer’s original intentions for its performance. This performance, however is an example of original conformity played on Widor’s organ.

[@davidcraggs3770]

@@kentbloxham3826 I for one have no criticism of you comments and I think you would have received a positive response from both Widor, himself and Daniel Roth, one of his successors and neither of them out impress an audience by “Showman” style performance.

[@rshafter4607]

the sound of this organ is like no other, unbelievable!

[@normanchristie4524]

Yes, this is a truly remarkable organ. One of my regrets is that I passed St Sulpice at midnight but did not return and now we are both too decrepit to to return to La belle Paree for a wander! At least I have KZbin to remind me.

[@gijzje]

Very True listen to it on different occasions but it is magnificent...

[@davidcraggs3770]

Played on the Organ it was written on.

[@the_pipe_organ]

What a wonderful organ! It is a huge instrument, and the acoustics of the Saint Sulpice Parish Church are excellent. A total marvel!

[@chrismetcalf934]

Awesome. My son exited his graduation ceremony at Broadwater Hall Manchester to this piece of music... Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it

[@zen649]

I would have given a kidney to hear it live, how wonderful, the tempo is perfect

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, how kind! It was an amazing experience.

[@ExAnimoPortugal]

I love the Toccata at this tempo.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!

[@edwardwilliamson1863]

I love everything about this performance. Getting to play it on the instrument where it was composed and originally played must have been a treat. It was a treat to listen to, that much I can say. Well done.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, Edward! It was a thrill to play there, to say the least.

[@roberrrisk177]

Excellent! steady pace, often played far too fast by other organists. How wonderful to hear it played on this organ.

[@kentbloxham3826]

I totally agree, it’s plaid at the sedate pace it was written to be. I have heard Widor play it himself. This is the best I’ve heard since and I have heard so many other organists play it so ridiculously quickly, as though they are showing off. I love this one also as the very best use of the foot stops are ranked up!! Bravo.

[@kentbloxham3826]

As I have never married, I am going to have this recording and no other played as the recessional at my Requiem Mass 😊

[@gijzje]

@@kentbloxham3826 Sorry to say so but it is written faster If I read the partiture. The version You heard Widor playing was when he was 88 years old , So his hands could not match up anymore because this heavy stuff to play for an Organplayer. I agree however that alot of players play it too fast , but this one is definite too slow..

[@kirstymcdermott5203]

That was my dad at the end standing up and clapping, he’s just come home from Paris and was saying how much he enjoyed this!

[@scottlamlein9637]

How wonderful, Kirsty! Thanks for sharing.

[@poppyrowland1385]

Perfect tempo! WIDOR would be happy about this!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much!

[@marlopuk]

I had the privilege to listen to it at St. Sulpice too A very surreal experience. Loved every minute of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@profilecanada2320]

How amazing to be a tourist and walking in to this!

[@phikep]

By the end, I honestly thought I was listening to a full orchestra! Wow!

[@juaneduardofleming7601]

Divine, a most inspired an inspiring organ composition!

[@danielvs7080]

Wow!!! Merci.

[@annhutchinson8676]

So amazing! I got chills just listening in my kitchen; I can't imagine how extraordinary it must have been in person!

[@scottlamlein9637]

It was incredible and surreal to play. Thank you, Ann!

[@williammitchell1864]

@@scottlamlein9637 Like you, I too enjoy playing the pipe organ! I've had some experience playing them! They are so much fun and uplifting!

[@richardlowe4751]

Perfect tempo with nice 'lean-in' at the beginning of each phase. Very enjoyable, thank you!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, Richard!

[@jamespatterson7780]

I watch KZbin videos of this organ being played nearly every night, and was so thrilled to visit Saint Sulpice on June 3 in person. Would love to have heard this and anything else being played at that time. The sound on this video was great!l

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, James!

[@robinmiric2027]

Beyond compare! I am overwhelmed! x

[@jamesjeffery1686]

Great tempo! I dream of playing there once in my life.

[@vanmusician]

During my last visit to Paris I was fortunate to attend M. Roth's 30th anniversary concert, which he shared with Mme Choplin. He played the first movement of this symphony. Many years ago I attended mass here on Aug 15 - one of the major Mary' festivals. At the end of Mass he improvised a half hour 3 mvt. symphony on Mary plainsong themes. Thrilling!

[@scottlamlein9637]

He is an incredible talent and one of the nicest people. What a joy!

[@jdkoozer]

Excellent Orgel I have many copies of this work in my files Widor Toccata a Highly treasured Favorite of Mine Thank You signed MagicalPipes

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you, Jd!

[@boilingpoint760]

Magnificent sound.

[@urlyburd]

i really love your slight slow-downs to put emphasis on harmonic/dynamic changes, it makes your interpretation so much more clear and emotional! thank you for uploading this recording, ill remember it as guidance for my own interpretation, hopefully within the next year :)

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much! I was really tying into the emotion of being in that space, playing that piece, feeling the presence of those who have gone before me. I wanted to hear every moment...

[@urlyburd]

@@scottlamlein9637 so great, it really comes across! and in my opinion, you didnt overdo it. this, plus playing so well while being this emotional, i find very impressive 👏👏👏

[@jean-francoisleconte529]

Magnifique toccata a l'église Saint Sulpice bravos a notre organiste magnifique orgue a écouté jf

[@scottlamlein9637]

Merci!

[@jennicollins669]

Wow! Just glorious! Jenni (Sydney). Thanku!

[@daniellefoint5034]

Just incredible Scott! The toccata was beautiful!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you, Danielle!

[@georgefieldsjr.640]

Absolutely Magnificent ! ( just listen to the LONG applause 👏👏👏)

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much!

[@nathanparker1879]

Yes!!!! Fantastic!!!! Not to fast!!!! Bravo!!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@christianegger8592]

Juste grandiose!😮

[@marciamcguire6501]

FAAAAAAAAABULOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Scott !!!!!!!!!! BRAVO !!!! The Greatest thrill ride of all time !!!!! This had to be beyond exhilerating to play it there !!!!!!!! I surely would have been Standing Ovation applauding pleading .... AGAIN PLEEEEASE !!!!!!! THANK YOU ~ THANK YOU !!! All the best, marcia

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much, Marcia! It was an absolute thrill.

[@plasticraincoat1]

Flipping marvellous! 🎉wonderful to hear it played on the organ it was composed on and played so well and sound quality great too. Thank you 🙏

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much!

[@RamRam5754]

Mais qu’est-ce qu’il sonne bien cet instrument. On peut s’imaginer Charles Marie Widor jouant SA toccata sur ce monument de Cavaillé-Coll. il existe d’ailleurs un enregistrement❤❤ En tout cas l’interprétation est excellente. Bravo 😊😊😊

[@merlin43004]

How cool is that? Must have been an amazing experience! Nice job on the Toccata, too.

[@jean-jacquessimon6703]

La plus célèbre pièce pour orgue, sans aucun doute, même avant le divin Bach. Voilà qui réjouit le cœur et remplit l'âme de béatitude.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Merci beaucoup!

[@archiebald4717]

Magnificent!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!

[@thomasstahl9683]

Great!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!

[@mathijslange7070]

I'm not sure if Widor composed police sirens in the beginning...🤣 Masterly played on a master organ!

[@Nayte08]

I wish I could have felt this performance

[@paulswindenmusic]

Fabulous performance and articulation - bravo! The tempo is perfect and presumably, with every manual coupled to the Grande Orgue, it’s a sensible speed for those final two pages when the fingers are getting really tired. Very well done indeed! 👍👏

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you, Paul! It was a humbling and thrilling moment.

[@Kewlpipes]

Actually the keyboard touch is not all that heavy. Played Dupre B Major and Widor 6 there. Not that taxing on the hands.

[@c-historia]

masterpiece

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much!

[@c-historia]

@@scottlamlein9637 have a great week😁

[@brianbrinkman7964]

My favorite pacing of this piece!

[@richardgrant7055]

Nice speed thank you, Scott !!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you so much!

[@delynndehardt1859]

I think that is a tracker organ? I was hoping to hear some of the werks in action. To me it just adds to the grandeur of the organ. But very beautiful in any case.

[@scottlamlein9637]

It is tracker action, and it is very noisy/visceral when close up and playing.

[@scottlamlein9637]

You can hear/see close up in the second half of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWecdWmCltatj9Esi=TifhEJrE4qXlXDEZ

[@larryhagemann5548]

Excellent. Very enjoyable.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you, Larry!

[@ImMilkthedog]

Wish it was better sound quality but this piece is great 👍

[@ВладимирОкоренко]

Супер божественная музыка 🎶 😎😍🤩😃😄

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!

[@dale731]

I loved this interpretation, but it was by far the slowest take on this masterpiece that I’ve heard.

[@scottlamlein9637]

It's the slowest I've ever played it - there's something very different about the work in its original home!

[@westminster860]

I wish these post would include these places of architecture significance and the organ maker.

[@scottlamlein9637]

You make a good point, Jeff… I never thought so many would watch this. I’ll add some info to the description about the amazing Cavaille-Coll organ at St-Sulpice.

[@neuzeliasbahrmilke369]

Lindo!!!👋👋👋🇧🇷

[@Barefoot12]

Really know how to work the Coll my favorite after Skinner! Rieger 3rd. damn sounds like flying

[@DimapeloManual]

How come there were so many empty seats to watch such a spectacle...

[@TheBeautyIn3Dee]

Excellent tempi, just the way Widor himself played it.

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!

[@ACELog]

Just - Wow! Very similar to Daniel Roth's performance (on his CD) Who was your registrant?

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thanks so much! I used Daniel's registrations, exactly, as he had put much research into how Widor himself played this work.

[@janes.mclean4475]

Why didn’t you show the organ and the organist????!!!!

[@scottlamlein9637]

My wife did the best she could, randomly shooting footage while I played the recital. Click the link in the description and you can see the practice session from the previous evening, with lots of shots of the organ and the time-consuming process of preparing to play this monumental instrument!

[@thomastidswell7310]

When I appear at God’s gate and they ask why should I be allowed in, all I can say is that I tried to be good...and played Widor’s Toccata on a 4 manual Harrison and Harrison.

[@hb1338]

Toccata - a piece for organ and maniac.

[@ianshepherd917]

There are many toccata movements by Widor. Please use correct title - Toccata form Organs Symphony 5

[@user-fe7ub6rw3x]

0:33

[@clarktrent8952]

Wish this had views of the actual performer, the organist, and more views of the Sanctuary and exterior. Also, I don't think the location of mic.-placing is the best. Better than nothing.

[@scottlamlein9637]

This was filmed spontaneously by my wife with her iphone - best we could do. See the link in the description for more excerpts and rehearsal footage. Thanks for your interest.

[@brettowen7174]

That's what pedal notes should sound like!

[@bothropsasper5479]

This is for me one Reason to visit Paris!

[@alfredroyal3473]

Spine chilling, neck hair raising.

[@yenaurapourtoulmonde]

Did you ever see a vertical (portrait) TV display or cinema screen?

[@robertfuller6245]

It's is obvious that Widor wrote the piece for this organ it never sounds as good as it does on this organ

[@danielgrinneiser9930]

beaucoup trop lent!!!

[@poppyrowland1385]

Nope, fool. This is the tempo that WIDOR himself played it at. Poor musicians play faster to cover up their poor skill and musicianship. That would be YOU.

[@claudejoyeux318]

un peu lent ,trop lourd pas assez ,enlevé ,,,

[@tedcoons1264]

Claude, you should listen to how Widor himself executed this work - it is/was available on KZbin. Scott has played it here so close to Widor. I invite you to post yourself playing this, inasmuch as you feel you can do better.

[@keplergso8369]

@@tedcoons1264 Maybe Widor played it at this tempo, but maybe he was old when he played it. When you listen to Marcel Dupré recordings in Saint-Sulpice, when he got old he played quite slowly his own works, slower than he was younger. I got the score in the first publishing of the Widor Toccata, it is written 'Allegro 118 for crotchet' (US 'quarter note'). I am not really fanatic of high tempi (cf Virgil Fox), but this toccata can be played a bit faster than here without betraying Widor, in my opinion. Greeting.

[@poppyrowland1385]

Played exactly the way WIDOR played it himself. It’s on KZbin if you don’t believe me. Arrogant, unknowing fool, you.

[@musiclove543]

French organs are the best. Especially reeds

[@Hannes667]

Magnificent!

[@scottlamlein9637]

Thank you!