This is a unique video because it shows the work of an organ builder mostly known in the modern world for only one instrument. It shows their signature seven octave keyboard.
Thank you. To my knowledge, there are only two existing Midmer-Losh organs in regular use - ours and the Atlantic City one. There is a Midmer organ in a Congregational Church in Patchogue, L.I. I think. There were several reasons, in my estimation, that made our organ special. One was the fact plans continued after signing the contract for building despite the fact the Great Depression began one month later. Another was the fact that a middle class Catholic parish undertook a (what I would consider) an extravagant project - a very interesting stoplist all things considered.
Robert...Thank you. I surely should have known this. I remember my father would correct me when saying the word, "quarter". I used to say, "COURT-er". And I have an English degree.
Hello Tony ! this is Rafael who played at your church years ago, friend of Ezequiel and Tom Murray. I lost your e mail address.....I would love to make contact again. I returned to my country in 2004. Congratulations for this Prayer an keep making splendid music.-
I remember vividly. Rafael Ferreria (Sp?) You gave a concert and played Te Deum by Tournemire, which I learned because of you, and have been playing it ever since! Are you in Argentina? I believe you played at St. Patrick's in Connecticut. Yes, I am still here at Assumption and love it. I hope you are well. I have a new email address. Call the church, leave a number or your email address, and I will respond. I don't want to put the address here.
Thank you, William, for your remarks. Maintenance is always an ongoing issue, but one I believe is worth it. Thus far, the parishioners agree. If ever you are in the area, I would be happy to show you the instrument.
Thanks for sharing this video and for the organ crawl (tour). It's so nice and refreshing to see the pastor himself enthusiastic about the organ which is rare anymore and makes you quite fortunate Tony as you well know that some other pastor wouldn't have been bothered with restoring the organ and would've had it thrown in the dumpster and had an Allen installed of all horrific things to do. How many ranks is it, and in reading the description, Foley-Baker restored it and your church couldn't have done better getting them to restore the organ. Bravo to them, you and your pastor! Keep the king of instruments playing its role, and keep out the toaster ovens unless it's a superior brand that fools both organists and organ builders alike as they're that convincing, like Walker.
Thank you, Mark, for your words of support. It is not the current pastor who restored this organ. It was Fr. Robert Condron, about twenty-two years ago, who began the restoration project, shortly after I began working there. Sadly, he is now deceased. You are quite correct in your assessment of electronic instruments. More pastors need to invest in good instruments, and, more important, good musicians. It is clear the church as a whole does not place good musicianship at the top of the list - or even close. The organ has around thirty ranks.
Burnuim boilers are the best..holy water awsome..love the tour..i was a sexton for 20 yrs and a publib school maitance..man. The sexton play a big part in the church life..and knew the building. And historan too.
Thank you. To my knowledge...and I want to be proven wrong.... I believe there are only two Midmer-Losh instruments in working order and used on a regular basis. The one I play at Assumption, and the one in Atlantic City.
Anthony Well done you have a great feel for the piece. When Maurice Duruflé passed away I improvised on the "Vani Creator Spiritus" someone gave me a recording of it and it was reconstructed and dedicated to Marie Duruflé in memory of her husband. She was happy to receive it. The French organ composers have influenced my skills. This improvisation on Veni Creator Spiritus has a taste of Duruflé in it. You can hear the Improvisation on You Tube.
Thank you, Mark, for your kind words. I shall listen to your version of Veni Creator. Just as you, the French organ composers have influenced my skills. Currently I am working on Boyvin and Messiaen, quite different as you can imagine, but equally enjoyable to register on the organ. Not an authentic French instrument, but the end result is half-way decent, perhaps even more than half way. If ever you are in the area, please look me up.
Thank you for your kind words and interest in this organ. I am working on a description of the organ for our church's website. It shall include organ specs, stoplist and things of that nature. I am hoping within a month to complete this project. If ever you are in the area, I would be happy to show you this instrument.
Thanks for your reply. I will look forward to seeing the specification online. Unfortunately, travel is so limited that we rarely get to go anywhere these days. You are on my list should I get to the area. My brother lives in New Haven. How close are you?
Something tells me that mass at this church on July 4th (which is a Sunday in 2021), will end with this hymn. St. Mary of the Mills in Laurel, MD often ends mass on the Sunday closest to Independence Day with "America The Beautiful", and it really is one of the things I look forward to during Independence Day every year.
Thomas...Thank you for your remarks. Your intuition is sublime. I usually try to incorporate some patriotic music into the Mass. This may be within the Mass proper, before or after, or any combination thereof. Where are we as a worshiping community if we do not honor those who helped defend our right to worship freely?
This is an historic instrument. There are only 13 Midmer-Losh organs left in the world. The Long Island company was one of the finest in the early decades of the 20th centuries. I'm glad to see that those in charge of Assumption parish appreciate the instrument, and the music it creates for the liturgy.
Thank you, David. I am curious as to how you know of these 13 organs. I find that fascinating. I know of only two.... ours and the one in Atlantic City. Do you know the whereabouts of the others? Are they in good condition? Yes, we do appreciate good music here. Hopefully, that will not change.
David - it just was brought to my attention you submitted this comment. Please contact me at the church number at some point. Perhaps we can meet if you are local. If not, perhaps we can talk. Thank you again for your comment.
Awesome to see this instrument up close, I’m a huge fan of Midmer Losh organs, and Assumption is a beautiful church, hopefully next time I am in town I can visit
John - thank you for looking. Yes, people see keys and think piano. But, verily, I am grateful they are even interested. Speaking of musical illiteracy, I am not a sports person, but I can surely tell if someone fumbles the ball. Likewise, people may not know music, but they can tell a wrong note or two. Those people comprise the greatest percentage of listeners, as well as donors. I am grateful they keep me employed.
I saw the organ in 1994 at the OHS Convention. It was not in so great shape back then but glad to see it restored and playing. I remember everyone at the convention went up to see the organ up close. Chant de Joie is a favorite of mine!!!
So glad you were able to see the organ. I am happy to say it is in much better shape, indeed, today. If ever you are in the area, I would be happy to show it to you in person. Other than wiring and a memory system, pretty much everything is as it was in 1930. I am very happy the the console remains the same (except wiring on the inside)...same layout, same stoplist and stoptabs, and the longer lower manual. I hope I did justice to Chant de Joie.
@@anthonyburke4785 yes I would love to see the organ again now that it is in much better condition. I remember the church was beautiful too. I need to get up that way to see and hear the Austin at St Joseph Hartford. Great playing. I love that piece of music.
Nice organ in this church. It looks like it is well cared for. I'm sure some of the money from the weekly collection goes towards it's upkeep. The organ at my church is a lot smaller (2 manuals/7 ranks) and may need a restoration at some point, but it is still playable.
Thomas - thank you. The upkeep is relatively small at this point. But it does require regular tuning and maintenance repairs periodically. When in town, please make a visit.
@@anthonyburke4785 Well, hopefully I can visit someday. My visits to Connecticut might be less frequent than they used to be since my paternal grandmother, who lived in East Hartford, passed away this past October. However, I still have family members who live in Enfield. Hopefully you can film videos of you playing "Holy Holy Holy", "Now Thank We All Our God", and "Hail Holy Queen" on this organ.
@@anthonyburke4785 Well, I do intend to visit this church someday. It is a nice church. I wonder if this organ has ever been tuned by the guys at Pelland organ company. They have a lot of videos.
Ty for the tour..it was a great experience..to see i cant wait to see the church interior..hidden gems..i grew up in this type of church in chicago witch is now closed..it is sad to see the decay..
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. But as long as I am at the church, playing this organ, I can assure you it is well taken care of. When you are in the area, please make a visit to our beautiful church and organ.
That is quite a tribute to the family, Tony! And especially to uncle John. He would have been so proud of you. You are a blessing to us all, Tony. Thank you!
Mark...thank you for listening. I think Uncle John would approve. I'm not sure if you are aware but he gave me specific instructions on certain parts of the piece that he wanted brought out more. He gave me a private lesson on the piece. I really miss him and all the rest of them...as I am sure you do as well.
My entire family enjoyed this so much! It brought back memories of when Mr. Burke took us on this tour when we were students at Assumption School! Thank you so much!
