This is what you get when a talented architect builds a splendid church, then a talented organ builder builds a great organ, then a talented restorer restores it to its former glory before the two rebuilds, and finally, a talented organist brings forth its quaint and ethereal beauty. Thank you so much, Bálint, for producing this video and for sharing it with us and congratulations on superb playing! Just one minor addition regarding the Pedal department - the third Pedal stop {presumably a Violon 8'} was already added during the 1876 rebuild - it was replaced by a Superoctavbass 4' stemming from a different Pažický instrument during the 1976 rebuild. The Pažický workshop would usually build at least a 3-stop Pedal - even in larger one-manual instruments. The Močenok organ would be their only known 2-manual instrument featuring only two Pedal stops. This was most likely caused by the space constraints in the organ loft. As other extant 2-manual Pažický instruments feature a Superoctavbass 4' as the third Pedal stop, it was only appropriate to retain it in the restored organ in Močenok, as well.
Meister Karosi's unique style of organ demonstration brings out, for those willing to listen to the whole, the entire range of tonal possibilities for the instrument. Here, we have an organ with unremarkable specs on paper but which, in the hands of an expert becomes a star sapphire because of its quality voicing to the near-perfect acoustic in which it sounds.
Dr. Karosi. The undisputed champion of Improvisation. And pretty darn good with sheet music as well! Thank you Balint for this wonderful and enlightening tour of this unique and special instrument.
Thank you Georg what a wonderful church, that is blessed with such a fantastically decorated and historic organ. I can only imagine the voices of the past that have echoed in this space and added to its acoustics. The Portunal 8’ and 4’ conversations are incredible
I have to admit that this organ has some of the best principals out there, if there is a faint string sound on top. Nice was the demonstration with the Portunal how wind can be controlled with mechanical action, I looked it up and it's called displacement sensitivity, bit like aftertouch on an electronic keyboard. Also the demonstration how the temperament influences the keys in which can be played in was very educative. As a whole, the acoustics of the church and the voicing of the organ made for a very nice and clear sound with good separation between the ranks.
That Vox Humana sounds, to me, both different from and more pleasing than most. None, including this one sound much like human voice to me, but that’s not a problem if they make a pleasing sound that works for the music.
There is a fantastic Rudolph von Beckerath in Pittsburgh, Pa at St. Paul Cathedral that was restored by Taylor and Boody. From my understanding, Beckerath considered it to be his Magnum Opus. It would be wonderful to hear you come play it.
Bellísimo instrumento de sonoridad alegre y clara que recuerda a los órganos hispánicos del XVIII. Espero haya podido visitar Valladolid hace unos dias, como tenía previsto.
Just Beautiful. The Church and the Organ is stunning. I have never seen this particular playing arrangement with an instrument. Does the lattice work above the music desk open to the "Rückpositiv". I have seen reversed consoles to the main organ, and forward facing consoles on the Rückpositiv with the main case at your back, only on some Sandinavian Insturments. The pedal stops divided at your back too! I guess that either you knew the liturgy by heart and where play, or had an assistant to let you know what is going on down at the altar!.
There is usually sort of hole in the back and front side of the organ case in the height of organists eyes heading to altar. Here I don't see it from whatever reason...
