Leo Sowerby Toccata - Organ Demonstration, St. John The Divine, NYC

This is the 2nd video of a new weekly Great Aeolian-Skinner Organ demonstration by 1 of the 3 Cathedral Organists, each Monday afternoon at 1PM. The Great Organ will be briefly discussed and played, and the Cathedral is inviting anyone interested to drop on by for this free, 20-30 minute demonstration!
This is Bruce Neswick, the Cathedral's Director of Music, performing Leo Sowerby's Toccata.
A few notes on this recording. I used a tripod with my Canon S5, and sat in the first row of the Great Choir. The State Trumpet is heard at the end of the video.
Bruce told me afterwards that the Quimby Organ Co. technicians have finished their work, and Doug Hunt is flying solo - which means that the organ is tonally 'finished' at this point. Also, one of the exciting 'additions' to the Quimby rebuild is the re-instatement of the 1911 Skinner Pedal 32' Bombarde, renamed 32' Contre Ophicleide. This stop was disconnected from the 1953-54 AS console rebuild, but the pipes remained 'winded' (still in place) in the chambers. Bruce didn't have a chance to play it today (he forgot about it until I mentioned the stop knob on the console), but he mentioned that this stop is just phenomenal!

[@georgefelty6357]

Bruce Neswick who is a friend plays this toccata so brilliantly! Bravo!

[@organrepertory815]

Danke für dieses Stück.

[@daveluttinen2547]

Just discovered Sowerby and am smitten with his music. I enjoyed this performance immensely - and even more so having the sheet music in front of me. I should **like** to attain technical proficiency to play this, but will have to be satisfied with "my best." Anyway, bravo!

[@a55b47]

Many, many, MANY thanks for posting these. If you're going to do it on a regular basis, I guess I'll have to subscribe ;-)

[@CoutureOrganiste]

Couldn't agree with you more Mackaronni!!!!!

[@afdcomposer]

Forgot about the 1911 Skinner 32' reed?
?

[@chalouisduletz8511]

Alas, because the organ is split on two sides of the vast choir your microphones in this undoubtedly unauthorized recording only pick up about half of it. The accompanying figures completely obscure the melody in many places as a result. Wonderful playing from a wonderful player, however, and I love the trick with the State Trumpet at the very end.