Applauding the organ

[diaphone32]

At the end of an organ recital when everybody is clapping at the performer, how common is it now for the organist to start clapping at the organ itself?! Seems to be happening quite a bit here, I think it's a good idea!</P>


Jezza</P>

[ReedGuy]

Well that's new, at least for me anyway. I've never seen that before. When I recital solo I haven't done that, but if I am performing with someone else I like to start clapping for the other musicians. </P>


Hmm, your comment diaphone32 is worth thinking about. Maybe I should try that next time. [^o)]</P>

[Menschenstimme]

Hey, ReedGuy:</P>


I have also seen recitalists gesture toward the organ as would a conductor gesture toward a soloist to encourage applause for them.</P>


I received your PM and clicked on the respond link but only got an error message. I will attempt to PM you back instead.</P>


Thank you!</P>

[Don Furr]

We see that a lot around here. Some organs stand out as being really fine instruments and some organs just suck. We often applaud those "special" organs.

[radagast]

We see that a lot around here. Some organs stand out as being really fine instruments and some organs just suck. We often applaud those "special" organs.
</P>


According to the attitude of some, ALL PIPE ORGANS are great. So the ones that suck have to be electronic.</P>


Bill</P>

[Don Furr]

We see that a lot around here. Some organs stand out as being really fine instruments and some organs just suck. We often applaud those "special" organs.
</p>


According to the attitude of some, ALL PIPE ORGANS are great. So the ones that suck have to be electronic.</p>


Bill</p>

</p>

Trust me Bill, all pipe organs are NOT great!!![;)]</p>

[Austin766]

I read somewhere that there was a pipe organ builder whose instruments were the best pipe imitations of electronic instruments, which SUCKED!!!!

[jbird604]

I was under the impression that pipe organs "blow" . . . I believe it was some of the old reed organs that "sucked" . . .</P>


RE: applauding the organ. When I saw Carlo Curley play last Sunday, he frequently gestured toward the organ as he took his bows and looked at it glowingly while clapping. Of course, the organ was the real "star" of that concert, Carlo was just the paid operator.</P>


He was there to show off and dedicate that organ, so it seemed quite natural that he would brag on it and give it credit for some of the gorgeous music. It was a good organ, too, so I don't think he was being hypocritical.</P>


John</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>

[radagast]

We see that a lot around here. Some organs stand out as being really fine instruments and some organs just suck. We often applaud those "special" organs.
</P>


According to the attitude of some, ALL PIPE ORGANS are great. So the ones that suck have to be electronic.</P>


Bill</P>


</P>


Trust me Bill, all pipe organs are NOT great!!![;)]</P>


</P>


Don, I agree with you completely. You will find others here that do not. That's why they would ALWAYS rather have a pipe organ over a digital. It doesn't make sense to me. If I had a choice between a pipe organ that sucked (or blows asJohn said), or a good digital, I will ALWAYS take the digital.</P>


</P>

[soundboarddude]

Some organs with pipes are fantastic

No organs without pipes are fantastic

Therefore, all organs that are fantastic have pipes



I'm not sure if that exactly follows deductive reasoning in logic, but I gave it a shot, eh?</p>



When I am being applauded after playing something, I often will make a gesture to the organ, crediting the organ itself, the builder, etc etc. I don't clap, just make a gesture. I personally think it's a great idea. :)</p>

[Havoc]

Cutting out the bull: I find it pedantic to applaud the organ.

Without organist it is just a lot of wood and metal. Silent and mute. A good organist can make any organ shine, but a lousy organ will always be a lousy organ. It would make sense to applaud the builder*or*the*composer they are mostly forgotten.

[Don Furr]

It's been a very long time since I've been to an organ recital where the organist did NOT make a gesture to the organ. Some organist clap, some don't but almost ALL recognize the instrument.

[soubasse32]

When I am being applauded after playing something, I often will make a gesture to the organ, crediting the organ itself, the builder, etc etc. I don't clap, just make a gesture. </P>


Considering some organs I've had to play, several gestures spring immediately to mind. [:D]</P>


It is rare to see performers acknowledging the organ in my area unless the organ is very old, very new, or has some extraordinary attribute that causes it some fame (such as an OHS citation).</P>


It would be bizarre indeed to see a concert pianist acknowledge apiano, even an extraordinaryone. Most organs fall in that category of being a basic musical tool, butin some cases the organ has the capacity to surpass the performer and/or the literature. It all depends on the organ, the literature, the performer, and the moment.</P>


I've given scores of recitals at my church but only acknowledged the organ twice: after an extensive revoicing/rebuild (the builder was present) and for a recital commemorating the organ's 25th anniversary.</P>

[soundboarddude]

Most organs fall in that category of being a basic musical tool.</p>

Maybe so. I think the simple fact that the organ is the King of Instruments is something worthy of being applauded, though. Plus, what would it be like if people didn't clap for a performer because he didn't play very well? No, I don't recognize electronic instruments, but even a bad pipe organ is generally more than just a basic musical "tool"!</p>

But I do see what you're saying...</p>

[:)]</p>

[soubasse32]

I don't mean to denigrate the Organ when I say that most of them are "basic musical tools". I'm keenly aware of what it takes to design, construct, and maintain one!</P>


Pipe organs being as complex as they are, I can usually find something to admire in just about any instrument. If I can highlight the strong points of a given instrument andavoid its weak points, then I feel I've accomplished something.</P>


Then there are those rare instruments that are very special- I feel I have to surpass my best efforts when playing them.</P>

[Bartolomeo1]

I have never seen such a gesture and would think it out of place and inappropriate.</p>

Applause for the builder, if present, might make sense.</p>

And on the tangent topic, anyone who thinks that all pipe organs are superior to all digitals probably hasn't played a really awful pipe organ (or hasn't played a well-installed digital). There are some pipe organs that are out of tune, wheezing, mushy, over-unified, half-broken down instruments that would have poor sound and worse action even if kept in proper repair. I play pipes at my current Sunday gig on a nice if simple instrument, but have run into real junk while subbing.
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