Hello again Desiree'
I'm in awe of you, our new friend. I quietly tried to suggest you might not want to reopen this Disney can of worms again, and not only did you reopen it, but you used your can opener on about 12 more different cans of worms, and did it all in one post. I don't think we have seen such proclivity since dESERT bOB left the list to go and roto till on some other forum.
Seriously though, I would suggest that the visual impact of this instrument runs so counter to the poise of traditional organ case design, that many of the organ folks who object to it, do so because it is hard to take it seriously. It's like that guy on TV who tries to sell you his book about government grants, but does so by jumping around and yelling at you, while wearing a suit covered by question marks. The book may actually be the definitive guide on the subject, but how can you take the man seriously when he dresses and acts like that?
I have often thought it would be an interesting exercise to gather a list of names belonging to the Disney Hall Organ nay sayers as evidenced by their posts to this and other organ chat lists. In the same vein as the recent flood of "reality shows" seen on TV lately, we would find a sponsor with deep pockets to fund an organ crawl, and we would invite everyone on the nay sayers list. We would even pay them to participate. The catch is, though, they must consent to be blindfolded the whole time, and we of course would take them to several different organ encounters throughout the country, flying them on a chartered jet. The trick to this is, they will not be told where the organs are, and hopefully they will not realize
they are all members of the Disney bashing crowd. Of course the Disney Organ would be included somewhere within this fantasy organ crawl. Once the crawl was complete, the participants would be given recordings of each organ they heard to help them remember which organ was which. Each recording would be in a plain separate jewel case, identified only by the order number in which the organs were heard. They are then to write a brief review on the merits and the deficiencies of each instrument, and submit them to the host of the organ crawl in order to receive their payment for participation.
Now, granted, this was a very long way to go to make a point, but I cannot help but wonder why the non-traditional appearance of the Disney instrument is enough to cause a group of otherwise objective musicians, to make a blanket judgment about that instrument BEFORE EVER EVEN HEARING IT. It suggests the seemingly irrational hypothesis that the organ experience is a combination of sensual input that places the visual stimulation at the same, or at an even higher level than the sound. Can this really be true?
Ok, I admit it. I have wanted to say my 2 cents worth about the Disney Organ for a long time, and Desiree' kindly created my chance. I hope I have not bored you with my impudent message, and hope to have perhaps entertained a bit. I also hope I have clearly indicated that I am on the side of those who will wait to hear the instrument before passing any kind of judgment upon it. Quite frankly, it is the name "Rosales" that creates the deepest sense of excitement and anticipation in me. I'm interested only in the part of the facade that speaks.
Now as to Desiree's opinions concerning AGO, those with "airs", those with "attitudes", and those organists who are male, I gracefully and thankfully refuse to comment. I'm sure others will take up where I left off. Should be interesting. LOL
Cheers
Mike Gettelman
"T.Desiree' Hines" wrote:
> Well, while this probably was discussed before I mentioned it here, The Disney Organ in my opinion is beautiful. Im very anxious to hear it, and can't wait for the workshope on it at the Convention. My opinion on thie instrument has actually gotten soem praise form some people who don't post here on Piporg-l because of "airs" that organists seem to have.
>
> so what...its not some EM Skinner rebuilt, or some Schnitger/Silbermann wanna-be in werkprinzip fashion. Its not a church organ...its an organ for the general public to enjoy.
>
> Fact is, that organ will be seen by a LOT of people who have
> A: Never seen a pipe organ
> and
> B: Live very secular lifestyles and don't attend church or other venues that have organs in them
>
> Im sure that the Disney Organ will be more than capable of handling the repertoire of organ music that actually makes a croud of common, cosmopolatian people enjoy the organ...NOT just tightly bow-tied AGO members with DMA's and purist players. It will handle the WELL KNOWN crowd pleasers of Bach (ie the great super fugue on Wir Glauben, the Cathedral Prelude and Fugue, the D minor 565), Langlais' Fete, Durufle's Suite op. 5, Boellmanns Suite Gothique, Jongens Symphone Concertante,Buxtehude's Preludium in C with the pedal solo to open, and other pieces that KEEP AN AUDIENCE of young, hipsters interested in an instrument that they usually call boring. Thats another thing...PROGRAMMING on organ concerts makes a crowd too!
>
> Wealthy, sheek, Hollywooders and LA dwellers are going to enter Disney Hall and be awestriken at the beauty of this instrument. Their children will be interested. Hell, they will want to become the future of our profession.The design will be the first thing to strike them. Maybe when they see the organ, they will realize that there are more organs.
>
> Of other interest to me at AGO 04 will be the workshops talking about how to revitalize interest in the organ among young people (in addition to Neauveau designs liek the Disney organ). I remember when I first saw Diane Bish play on television. I was spellbound by here garments, playing, personality, and repertoire. And the registrations just took it to another level. Virgil Fox as well! Both of them had/have personalities that are out of this world when performing. And personality is what makes or breaks an organists popularity among common people...not just other organists.
>
> Which brings me to another point. Ever think that some people don't like organ music because they dont like organists? Even some of us here don't like other organists. Theres nothing worse than an organist with an "Air". Condescending in nature, cruel neck slicing attitudes etc will not get anyone interested in the instrument we play if the player is an arrogant ....Well...you get the picture. These very attitudes are why some organists will not join the AGO. And why some churches will not associate with AGO members (remembering Ken's say that when we were talking about NYC employment.) Whats the point in being Mr Attitude. And its usualyl the male organists. Just be happy. BE GAY! haha!
>
> >From Desiree'
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