The offerings you'll discover here are varied, even eclectic, showing not only what has been described as "prestidigitation-on-parade" but demonstrating that the quiet tonalities of the 'King of Instruments' can inspire.
More and more I enjoy playing the organ softly. While I would adore being 20 years of age at the snap of a finger, I honestly wouldn't be especially keen to play my beloved, chosen instrument now as I did all those years ago. I suppose, without being overly sentimental, that experience is genuinely the best teacher when it comes to playing the organ 'from the heart'.
Despite the poor sound (no criticism intended) this is flat-out my favourite organ video on RU-vid. I'm not a particular fan of Carlo Curly (again, huge respect, that's only relative and personal) he does an incredible job with this extremely difficult piece. A fine performance by any standard, and extreme flair, sensitivity and excitement. Goosebumps every time I hear this. I agree with other comments, the Chester organ is a jewel. I hope sample sets are made available one day.
Absolutely First Class very sadly missed. I was very lucky to have seen him both at St.Georges Hall Liverpool playing at the same concert as the late Noel Rawsthorne and also twice at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.Never forgotten
I'm astounded by Carlo's statement about the pipes being voiced in the church alone.Organ pipes are voiced in the shop before being sent to their destination so they have the semblance of their intended tone. Once they reach their destination, they're fine tuned to fit the space they're in. Carlo was a friend of a pipe maker so he should have known better God rest his soul.
Well he of course was magic and introduced many people who never had any music shown when young,but he will always be remembered by me and my family Keit john mansell
Carlo Curley e' stato il primo organista che ho ascoltato in CD con il suo Organ Imperial.Veramente un Organista eccezionale e dalle vedute ampie. Riposa in Pace Big Carlo.
When I was a student at Bristol University in the 1970s, we had a seminar from Allan Wicks, the organist of Canterbury Cathedral - one of the best and most thought-provoking cathedral musicians of his day. Someone, a non organist, asked what was the best organ in England and he said, "Chester Cathedral". Organs are too varied to be classified as neatly as this, but I've always thought that, overall, he may have been right. It's a very distinguished beast in which the later additions meld perfectly into the high-class ancestry. The organ world still misses Carlo - such a nice guy, and he could play as well as any and better than most.
Was shocked to just hear of Carlos passing. I loved his style. I have 4 of his CDs. I enjoyed learning more about the organ and playing from this video.
I met you in Greenville, MI USA at a wonderful concert your dueled with the great Beverly Howerton!!!! It was fabulous. Not many can do what the two of you have done with organs. Thank you for your passion.
Very well and very musically aptly played indeed, but.what a hideous "organ" sound. It is grating to your ears. This screaming boom box has absolutely NOTHING to do with an organ, and its noise has nothing to do with any organ sound..
I knew CC as we grew up in the same small town of Monroe, North Carolina. As a juvenile, Carlo made a very unwise decision to break into a church so he could play the it's beautiful sounding organ. He did the wrong thing for the right reasons because he was becoming a budding great musician. After he got out of reform school, as it were back, then he played for the local churches. I used to stand beside him and watch him play like nothing I'd ever seen before. He was a rather unique individual; strange I would say. But he was a great artist.
I worked with the Allen Organ Company for several years. I met Carlo and heard him play on many occasions. Carlo will be missed. His love for the organ and his ability to play this instrument was simply amazing. Is was indeed shocking to hear of his death.
Did Carlo ever Practice? Has anyone seen Carlo Practice , Or memorize sheet music. Has anyone seen Carlo, study sheet music? . I suspect he did neither because his fingers from the top joint to the tip could flex backwards . Not really could. It wasn't a forced flexing it was a natural lay back. The flexibility of his top joint and his ability to preform without practice or study is a kinetic relationship where the two abilities complemented each other
Thanks for your reply. Carlo flipped you off to impress his admirers You are a casualty of the Curley legendary persona Thank you for your service to the legend..
Yes Carlo could play like a real organist, I'm glad he chose not to . His revival of the Charles E Dawes Melody in A made me squirm in my pew just like a real organist.
Well, okay, I wouldn't want you to be offended! :) Exactly, he didn't want to be bothered with my question, he just wanted to talk to other organists - of which I was not, just a lowly fan. So he proceeded to blow me off while engaging the next 1/2 hr. with the other organists still hanging out.
He probably wanted a smoke , an adjournment to the men's . or he didn't feel like bothering with your question.. And if you don't reply to my comment I will be for evermore offended that you ignored me.
Well, it isn't quite true that "no one is playing the organ any more." I have been an organist for forty years. Most of the schools of music with organ departments are full. It IS true that there is a shortage of good well-paying jobs, but this is because smaller churches choose to spend their money elsewhere. Sure, in small churches the congregation can be led very well from a piano, but once a certain size is reached, an amplified piano won't do. The room demands an organ.
Carlo gave to us all in his talent, fun,entertainment and he banished the dust from the stuffy organs of old. I watched him take his lesson with Virgil Fox, and I was glad to see him go on to develope his own great style. We will all miss him. David Snyder, Lumierist Creator of Virgil Fox "Heavy Organ" Touring Production
He is now gone... a great a talent and organ ambassador. I met him in Vancouver about 25 years ago, and chatted about the concert he had just completed. I understand he became more reticent to engage his audience in latter years. Too bad. He had real talent and used it well.
Wow! That's too bad. He may have P/O'ed me a little but I'd never want to see that happen to anyone. No doubt he was a great, great organist and as all1rog stated, he was a "great ambassador for the organ", something we need more of as I don't see the demand for great organ music as much any more. He did a great job of promoting his art, so at least he was successful at something that meant a lot to him (and the most of us too). Well, RIP Carlo. 59 is too soon.
