Organ matters - Organs matter!

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What a joy to report that Paul Jacobs, chair of the organ department at the Juilliard School in New York City and a renowned concert artist, received a Grammy Award at last night's ceremonies in Los Angeles for his CD of Olivier Messiaen's "Livre du Saint-Sacrement" on the Naxos label. 

Mr. Jacobs' award was in the "Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)".  Other nominees were:

Chopin: The Nocturnes
Nelson Freire
[Decca]

Hamelin: Études
Marc-André Hamelin
[Hyperion Records]

Paganini: 24 Caprices
Julia Fischer
[Decca]

20th Century Harp Sonatas
Sarah Schuster Ericsson
[Dorian Sono Luminus]

It appears that Mr. Jacobs is the first organist to win a Grammy for a solo recording, although E. Power Biggs, the Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble, and Vittorio Negri won a Grammy for Best Chamber Music Performance in 1968 for "Glory Of Gabrieli Vol. II - Canzonas For Brass, Winds, Strings And Organ."   

Messiaen's "Livre du Saint-Sacrement" is not for the faint of heart. Composed in 1984, it's a collection of 18 pieces which lasts almost two hours.  The score is costly:  almost $100.00 US.  Most of us will never own it or ever play even parts of it.  In a 2008 review in "The Guardian," Andrew  Clements wrote that "it should be sampled in smaller quantities to appreciate the power of the best of the organ writing. Bonaventure."  To put it in another more personal context: one of my students who performed part of the work has yet to be able to listen to the work in its entirety.  Therefore, Mr. Jacobs' achievement seems all the more remarkable.

Paul Jacobs is truly a musical phenomenon: he brings out the best of the organ and its music without resorting to artifice or gimmickry; he is the picture of graciousness and humility; he is idolized by his students at Juilliard and in other places where he is guest clinician; he is a gentleman who radiates class without ever seeming the least bit self-important.  Aware that his achievements bring extraordinary recognition to the "King of Instruments," I rejoice in his having won so prestigious an award.

Steve Best in Utica, NY

The Glens Falls NY Post Star has just released this article about the destruction of the Queensbury organ.

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_4250a50c-0958-11e0-9d93-001cc4c03286.html

Bert Shapiro, the filmmaker responsible for "The Organistas" and "The Stradivarius of Organs" has asked me to let you know about a special offer for the Christmas season: both videos for just $25.00 US plus $3.50 postage. I own both of these superb videos, have used them for American Guild of Organists meetings, have loaned them to students, and have enjoyed watching them multiple times. This is a perfect holiday gift for yourself -- or the organist in your life!

http://www.pheasantseye.com/special-offers/organs-special-offer.html

I have posted photographs of the organ in Queensbury, NY, which was recently and intentionally destroyed.  I think the following link will take anyone to them, but I am not certain:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2056891&id=4502397&l=abee53ecf1

I speak for no one other than myself -- an individual who finds it incomprehensible that a major instrument with many redeeming qualities -- note, I did not say this was a PERFECT organ -- has been lost.  This particular instrument is a mere 100 miles from my home, and its destruction has been widely reported and discussed in upstate New York.  After all, the instrument was known to those who attended the AGO 2003 regional convention recital on the organ.

Yes, the dedicatory recital was less than a resounding success, and I reported on that event for what it was.  Following is a part of my review which is often overlooked:

"I still have hopes that this organ can be finished and take its place as one of the finer instruments in its area. Mr. DeMarse is noted for exquisite craftsmanship and attention to every detail, and given enough time, I can only hope that his determined effort and skill will make up for what has to be considered a major setback. However, scheduling a recital at this stage of the organ's development was a most unfortunate mistake.

"Lastly, I wish more people would take seriously my number one inviolable rule for dedicatory recitals: NEVER NEVER NEVER even think of scheduling a dedicatory recital until the organ is 100% finished and has been played enough to identify and correct any problems."

The organ is, of course, gone.  If reports in the Glens Falls newspaper are to be believed, 48 ranks of Stinkens and Letourneau pipework have been delivered to a hazardous waste facility because of the lead content of the pipes.  Alas....

At the request of this group's moderator, I am sending along this partial update on the situation involving the demolitiong of an organ in upstate New York:

The saga of the destruction of the 2003 DeMarse three manual tracker organ continues.  The organ is gone, but the controversy which has followed continues unabated.  You will recall that this instrument was located in Our Lady of the Annunciation Roman Catholic Church in Queensbury, NY.   Containing 48 ranks of metal pipes by Stinkens and Letourneau and some larger wooden pipes from Organ Supply Industries, the instrument was destroyed in late October in a move which stunned many, including the diocesan organ consultant, who had worked long and hard to relocate the instrument.  Indeed, just days before the organ's destruction, a group of parishioners from another church had arranged to have the organ demonstrated, a meeting that was abruptly canceled by the Annunciation pastor, who denied these people to the building.  The next day, the organ was destroyed.  The Glens Falls (NY) Post Gazette reported that "The removal of the organ was completed last week by Foley-Baker Inc., which will salvage some parts like the blower and send the pipes to a hazard waste facility due to a lead issue, according to Busch."  Mr. Busch is the resident priest at Annunciation church. 

In the days following the organ's destruction, support for organ builder Harold DeMarse has come from all over the world.  Multiple organ builders which had examined the organ and made suggestions for repairing any deficiencies and/or removing the organ to a new home registered their outrage.   David A. Vredenburg, organ consultant for Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, whose recommendations were summarily ignored, has proven to be a pillar of strength and support.  Donors whose gifts made the organ possible have undertaken a determined effort to set the record straight. Investigative reporters are probing background information which has not yet been made public.  Musicians from across the USA and many other countries have contacted the Rev. Howard Hubbard, bishop of the diocese.  There is much more going on behind the scenes.

This story is far from being over even though the organ has been destroyed.  I will report more as I am able, but I certainly don't want to jeopardize ongoing efforts to salvage some good from such a lamentable situation. 

Although the Allen Organ Company was listed as one of "consultants" on a "position paper" circulated by the church, the Allen Organ Company was NOT, I repeat, was NOT involved in the destruction of this organ.  The first time that the Allen Organ representative knew that company was listed by the church was when I contacted him yesterday. 

The story of the destruction of this organ is in part reported in a newspaper article of today:

http://poststar.com/news/local/article_a47cf020-e557-11df-8631-001cc4c03286.html

However, if you would like to read more about the saga and are already a member of Facebook, you can add me and read several posts which have been written since last Wednesday.  The link is http://www.facebook.com/stevebest

Thanks for helping get the word out about this unconscionable act of deliberate vandalism.