Bach on Flentrop Organ Harvard University Busch Hall
In this Midnight Pipes video, Murray Forbes Somerville plays the complete Toccata and Fugue in D minor, S.565, on the Flentrop organ in Harvard University’s Adolphus Busch Hall (formerly Busch-Reisinger Museum). The complete 30-minute video, VHS NTSC format only, contains an interview and additional organ music with Mr Somerville, as well as music from Frederick Hohman and other music guests in concert with the Flentrop organ. Details are accessed by entering 9023 in the Search Box at www.zarex.com Murray Forbes Somerville is presently active as a church musician in Nashville, Tennessee. For many years, and during the time when this video was made, he was on staff at Harvard University as organist and as director of the Harvard University Choir. A 2-CD set featuring an all-Bach program played upon the organ at Harvard’s Busch Hall is available from Pro Organo. It is entitled “Remembering Biggs, Bach and the Busch” – Pro Organo CD 7138, and is available at www.zarex.com
@midnightpipes Is the Aeolian-Skinner organ still there?
Thank you for your posts.
how much does a complete Organ Instrument like this cost? I head from somewhere like a million dollars.
Murray, Harvard’s loss, Nashville’s gain! Just go back up to Cambridge and do MORE! The inspiring influence of the old Harvard Flentrop/Biggs recordings and the St Olaf (Mn) Choir under Christiansen on past organ majors is legendary! Another great idea: do another video on the new Fisk in Nashville….(Reid)Augusta,GA
simply brilliant,!
Yes. Mr. Biggs made some LPs on this instrument with Columbia. Before the Flentrop was installed, Mr. Biggs played upon an Aeolian-Skinner organ, installed in the same room, and his playing was broadcast live every Sunday morning (a 15-minute broadcast) over the CBS radio network, so I understand. So, Mr. Biggs, the organ and the hall were all instrumental in introducing the pipe organ to American listeners during the 1950s. – FH
This is the organ that Power Biggs used to play on, right?
Wicked!
what a superb organ. JS Bach is truly a genius. Thanks for the inspiration and posting, awesome!!!
I know I shall be shunned by proper Orgelbewegung circles for saying this, but I like neo-baroque organs. And this organ is close to my heart, for it is recordings on this organ by Biggs that first drew me to JS Bach.
BRAVISSIMO…molto emozionante.
Played as it should be heard! …Excellent! Just like Prof. Michael Schneider, s interpetation , the organist playing it on Sine Qua Non record label in the early 1970,s where I heard this piece for the first time, and got my love for Bach.
Con un parecido a Biggs
100% PERFECT !
Great performance. i really like this organ. but im not to sure of the regestration in the begining but o well
Very clear and superb sounds from the organ.
That is a beautiful organ. Really great performance.
super-special-awesome doesn’t even begin to decribe it!
truely incredible!
Very well done. Excellent phrasing. Perhaps my favorite rendition.
a difficult composition, really good
I just realized that he’s playing, and pulling the stops, without any music. Impressive.
Excellent rendition my friend
))
The audio on YouTube is in mono however I have several CDs of E. Power Biggs on this organ in stereo.
Unlike many conventional church organs in the U.S., the Flentrop organ of Busch Hall was specially designed and built to enhance the sound of works from the Baroque Era. Even those who are not classical or organ listeners agree that the Flentrop organ is really a great sounding instrument.
That was the words from W. A. Mozart. („Die orgel ist doch in meinen augen und ohren der könig aller instrumenten.)
Finally, I get to see the Harvard Flentrop that E. Power Biggs played on. Excellent. This is of course my favorite piece by Bach.
Mooie uitvoering hoor! Heerlijk orgel ook, helder en mooie nagalm!