Richard Hills plays Tiger Rag on theatre organ

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14 жыл бұрын

Richard Hills plays 'Tiger Rag' on the Wurlitzer organ in the Assembly Hall, Worthing, UK. The video was taken by David Reed and the audio by John Leeming. The occasion was the Worthing Theatres' 'Open House' day when members of the public wandered in and out of various parts of the building over a period of about four hours.
If the magic of the theatre organ delights you, and you'd like to listen to live shows, learn how these instruments work, discover recordings and podcasts, or even play one, there are plenty of opportunities.
Go to www.cinema-organs.org.uk for more details

Пікірлер: 573

@timd7782 3 жыл бұрын

What a performance! The theater organ is the mightiest (and hardest) instruments on planet earth. Mr. Hills - you wield it like a Jedi wields a light saber! Bravo!!!!

@kiqw 8 жыл бұрын

This performance does not seem humanly possible. FANTASTIC to say the least.

@JohnLeeming23 8 жыл бұрын

It's real. No smoke and mirrors!

@paullangford8179 6 жыл бұрын

Human plus organ!

@josefk.8754 4 жыл бұрын

Richard must come from another galaxy :-) THANKS SO MUCH!

@michaelkemp1294 9 жыл бұрын

A virtuoso performance from a most accomplished organist. Lifts the spirits to hear playing like this. Thank you Richard.

@garyruffer4845 5 жыл бұрын

Michael Kemp j

@retiredsk8tr1953 10 жыл бұрын

It is clear that Mr. Hills has a sound foundation and a highly developed technique with respect to scales, fingering...etc. But most of all he is extremely musical. As a classically trained organist I have much respect for what I see and hear in this video. My hat's off to you Mr. Hill! thank you for this post.

@marjabosmann6927 2 жыл бұрын

Beautyfull .

@10-3leader 10 жыл бұрын

This is how the Wurlitzer is supposed to be played. Brilliantly done.

@Josh-ez2kw 4 жыл бұрын

Both hands and feet playing different notes at the same time!!!......good lord, I have trouble walking and chewing gum. Absolutely brilliant.

@frankchambers8583 8 жыл бұрын

I've only just stumbled across this. Truly staggering performance. Hugely enjoyable.

@JohnLeeming23 8 жыл бұрын

+Frank Chambers Thanks, Frank.

@rich8037 6 ай бұрын

Every so often I revisit this and it's always even better than my memory told me. Frankly it completely deserves to stand alongside Art Tatum's rendering of the same tune in the annals of improbably virtuosity.

@kieraneastwood-mulvaney8736 10 ай бұрын

This is possibly the best rendition of this piece I’ve ever heard on a theatre organ from what I’ve heard Even a lot of the heralded theatre organists have never played this piece with so much variety, control and precision! Well done! Absolutely stunning!!!

@georgewhitehead8185 3 жыл бұрын

Richard Hills Rocks...Magic, Lightning Fingers (and toes) Wow! What a Concert. Smoked the Organ!

@KPO6859 11 жыл бұрын

This is an arrangement he performs when the mood strikes him. Not every theater organ is as crisp as this, and each performance is unique based on the venue and instrument. He is a fabulous performer, talented musician, and a nice man, and this is one of many songs he plays very well - not all this flamboyant. Personally I am inspired to hear this video repeatedly. There are some vintage organists I can do without, but others love them. Fine. We have differing tastes. Just be polite about it!

@MelosAntropon 13 жыл бұрын

I'm an organist, but not a big fan of theater organ. But this man is a genius. Phenomenal technique - times 5 - and incredible musicianship. Excellent use of the "double touch" feature, also. I admire superb performing on any instrument from pennywhistle to accordion, though classical organ is my favorite (I am an organist), but world class is world class, no matter where you find it. This man is world class.

@TheTazz969 9 жыл бұрын

Great talent & skill, must take years to reach this level.

@1969Wilus 7 жыл бұрын

It was a great thrill to hear Richard Hills play this live at the Troxy in London yesterday (7/1/17) , with even more bells and whistles! He and Simon Gledhill also spoke very eloquently and entertainingly about the history of theatre organ music.

@robstockton2463 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, would have loved to be there.

@JesusisJesus 5 жыл бұрын

This is jaw dropping stuff. The level of skill is superhuman. Watch it again and look closely at the pipe lag, he’s got that shit figured out.

@clippedlad 14 жыл бұрын

One Word to describe Organ And Organist: BRILLIANT. Any fool who says organ music is boring, should check this excellent performance out as they would soon change their mind. Well done to all who made this possible! Ben Jordan, 18 year old organist and organ NUT!!!

@kznte 3 жыл бұрын

You haven't heard a huge theatre organ played until you've heard this!!! Flawless performance :)

@grandmoller 6 жыл бұрын

I would like to know if there happens to be a theatre organist on this planet that can even approach the mastery of this man. I sincerely doubt it. UNBELIEVABLE!

@JoePeterzak 11 жыл бұрын

That note at 1:27 was the sound of the organ's English Post Horn. The English Post Horn is one of the most liked stop or pipes of the Theatre Organ. This organ has a very good example of this stop. I love the "ripping metal" sound it makes.

@larrycooper7408 4 жыл бұрын

I've been playing organ for over 50 years but Richard is absolutely the very best.

@mrflamewars 4 жыл бұрын

This is astonishing, particularly so because he is just not stressed at all. Just going at it and not even bothered.

@barbaralcharles 7 жыл бұрын

He plays like a maniac and he looks so calm! Sensational.

@paullangford8179 6 жыл бұрын

Watch a master at anything, and you'll see exactly the same expression as they concentrate on something especially complex: a mastercarver, a top-line computer programmer, a gymnast... The rest of the world vanishes.

@rogerking406 3 жыл бұрын

I've been lucky enough to witness some virtuoso music performances in my 3 score yrs + 10, most of them as an organist, but that is amongst the best of the best. Incredible. Thank you, Richard, for sharing your skills with us on this platform.

@ThePilot314 9 жыл бұрын

NEVER have heard it BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@marmite-land 6 жыл бұрын

Ever heard of the photoplayer 😏 ? kzfaq.info/get/bejne/g9CpjMJiq83Fcok.html

@ianhead9477 4 жыл бұрын

Reg Dixons version

@nyterpfan 9 жыл бұрын

BRILLIANT---this is VIRTUOSO playing!! Mr Hills, you are INCREDIBLE!! (Swear to God--if Art Tatum played this piece on the Wurlitzer this is what it would sound like!!)

@K2shadowfax 10 жыл бұрын

Simply phenomenal!

@rowanlidbury 7 жыл бұрын

A registration master class! (And that's from a Church Organist). An imaginative, skilled and tonally comprehensive performance using probably the entire instrument. Superb! :o)

@Goodchappy 13 жыл бұрын

I keep coming back to this performance, its amazing. I saw Richard Hills dueting with Simon Gledhill in Watford Town Hall a few years ago. These guys are REAL musicians. That Worthing organ is a gem as well.

@ThePilot314 8 жыл бұрын

again and again .................... always superb!!!!!! Simply WONDERFUL

@mrbigarms 12 жыл бұрын

I saw Richard Hills perform yesterday and was totally blown away, he seems to have a super human ability.

@kevinduggan8956 3 жыл бұрын

The legendary Richard Hills on the mighty wurlitzer

@robertm2000 11 жыл бұрын

It's as much fun watching Richard Hills play as it is to listen to him!

@MyOrganist 11 жыл бұрын

Marvellous. This performer is really showing what a theatre organ is all about. There are some rather uninformed comments, Richard Hills knows what he is doing -- and he is doing it damned well!

@apxpandy4965 3 жыл бұрын

Haven't watched this for a while - and, it's still one of the best! Thanks for being such a great performer. I'm exhausted - just watching!

@PeterWillson 10 жыл бұрын

I can't believe how fantastic this is!

@MarcoVenustus 10 жыл бұрын

I've put this videos in my favorites a while ago. Now I'm watching it again and I remember why I did it. That sounds like an orchestra :D

@dcminingtv9427 3 жыл бұрын

Can’t stop listening to this song! Great rendition!

@kevinduggan8956 4 жыл бұрын

Last saw Richard on the mighty wurlitzer at the Victoria Hall in Saltaire, awesome entry and exit through the floor amazing. Also took us for a guided tour of the whole wurlitzer set up afterwards. A true genius and gent. Thanks!

@accousticdecay 9 жыл бұрын

a most amazing performance. 5 stars!

@matthieubazile3350 3 жыл бұрын

The improvisation skills are incredible!

@richardharrold9736 2 жыл бұрын

You should hear how he plays it these days, with bits of Elgar, Widor and Duruflé thrown in for fun, plus a big solo pedal cadenza for good measure...

@lotsabears 11 жыл бұрын

HOLY COW! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! Bravo Richard!!!!!!

@DrivermanO 3 жыл бұрын

I was fortunate to attend Worthing High School for Boys in the 1960s, when it was a proper school. We had Annual Speech days in the Assembly Hall, but that Wurtlizer wasn't there then (well, I don't remember it). But when the new school buildings were opened, we had our very own ex-cinema organ with its own loft in the main hall. Played every day (not by me) for assembly, and concerts. Wonderful stuff. But this performance blows everything else away! Keep coming back - first saw it 7 years ago!

@yatescr 2 жыл бұрын

Insane. Simply insane!

@kennethwhitlock2671 11 жыл бұрын

Dont know how you can make one single negative comment about his guy, Man, Im a church organist and this guys i just about the hottest Organist I have heard, hes not just good He's Phenomenal, no matter how you feel about the way he plays, He Da Man

@jurgen4301 4 ай бұрын

Das stimmt. Er spielt schneller als ich gucken kann.

@Raul1971xxx 4 ай бұрын

@@jurgen4301Ganz richtig.. 👍👍🇪🇸🇪🇸

@Raul1971xxx 4 ай бұрын

Yes, He is really overqualified.. 👍👍🇪🇸🇪🇸

@graemewebber9948 4 жыл бұрын

Just fantastic playing from Richard Hills. Wonderful. Wonderful. Wonderful.

@tom7601 9 жыл бұрын

Simply fantastic. Thank you for sharing your talent and to the technicians who recorded the video, cheers!!!

@apxpandy4965 7 жыл бұрын

Wow, my fingers were exhausted - just watching! Great technique - thanks!

@glendakirby5579 7 жыл бұрын

Wow! what an instrument, what skill.Absolutely brilliant.

@graemewebber9948 5 жыл бұрын

Simply a Wizard - what wonderful playing !!

@Yaledmot 14 жыл бұрын

Thanks John and Richard for a superb representation of the theatre organ!

@MegaFPVFlyer 6 жыл бұрын

And a thanks to the unsung hero here: John Leeming. The audio quality is fantastic! I swear I can feel every pedal note in my chest.

@JohnLeeming23 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jonah!

@Tmanaz480 6 жыл бұрын

Audio engineer here... Yes. You nailed it! Perspective/ambience, soundstage, frequency balance...all A+.

@johnpocock225 6 жыл бұрын

Everytime I'm feeling blue I play this wonderful piece ......cheers me up no end the man's got magic fingers ....thanks

@mcrosby5013 2 жыл бұрын

wow!!!! I am so impressed,in awh of your mind blowing talent... Im an instant fan! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

@drepalla 6 жыл бұрын

Wow, amazing performance, thanks for sharing with us John!

@rickbullock4331 5 жыл бұрын

Wow! Amazing, I wish my Father was still alive to see and hear this gentleman on the big theatre organ, he would have loved it. 👍👍

@smudger671 4 жыл бұрын

Some nifty finger work here.

@gerobrauer4599 8 жыл бұрын

No words can explain this! It's simply more than great,guy!

@cherylhelstowski3161 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing. What an accomplished organist. Loved it.

@tilozoru1255 5 жыл бұрын

I keep coming back to this video of Richard Hills playing the Tiger Rag, This is one of the finest dexterity tests by far... almost looks alien when playing all three keyboards... HUGE FAN of Richard Hills and I'm sure I'll be back in three days to see/enjoy it all over again...

@Prolinium 9 жыл бұрын

Unbelievable style and talent. SOOOOO enjoyed this !!!!!

@donbradley3953 4 жыл бұрын

Awe inspiring performance. So glad I came accross this video.

@Offshoreorganbuilder 7 жыл бұрын

Incredible control and memory! Thanks for the upload.

@JohnLeeming23 7 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

@robstockton2463 6 жыл бұрын

I wonder if it is, indeed, entirely memorized, or are sections improved?

@zapitozapata 10 жыл бұрын

Bravoooo!!!! Great performance! Great tonal painting, very clean and clear. You achieved something very hard: played something really fast without sounding rushed. Bravo bravo bravo!!!

@GK-ev5rd Жыл бұрын

Tremendous! As a Kid I'd go to the ballpark with my Dad in Detroit and see the Tigers play in the late 50s early 60s. They would play Tiger Rag when the infielders were taking infield practice...it was done in those days and I can see and hear it now! What a great memory from the past! HOLD THAT TIGER!

@trainiacvideos3832 Жыл бұрын

Such style and a great sound love it. A beautiful Wurlitzer and great organist

@organbuilder272 8 жыл бұрын

Damn, that guyknows his way around a keyboard.

@dougmoore9292 5 жыл бұрын

Loved it! Fantastic rendition!

@Mordent9 7 жыл бұрын

Phenomenal and loads of fun! Loved that honking Kinura!

@Tmanaz480 6 жыл бұрын

Mark Holmstrom ... Yes! If you're going to play a Theater Organ, flaunt it.

@youssarianwhisker2679 3 жыл бұрын

someone here in 2020 listening to that awesome masterpiece?

@cathrynmartin4395 Жыл бұрын

I learned to play on a regular Hammond organ - 2 tiers of 88 keys and found it to be an amazing instrument, but this theatre organ and that man's playing ability are beyond amazing! Just too cool to watch and listen to them!

@geoffbabirecki 10 жыл бұрын

Fantastic. Well done Mr Hills!

@kimrunic5874 7 жыл бұрын

Unreal performance. Love it when all the tabs dip at 2:13

@78chuck 12 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic arrangement!

@woollyfingers 6 жыл бұрын

Fabulous! I was lucky enough to catch a recital by Richard Hills in Hereford (on the cathedral organ) last week and was totally blown away by his technique, musicianship, musical curiosity and sense of humour. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@mohelboilandeat 11 жыл бұрын

Masterfully played, great Wurlitzer - fabulous fun. BRAVO sir - BRAVO.

@bryan9587 5 жыл бұрын

HOLY. FUCKING. SHIT. This was fucking beautiful! Amazing organ, and an even more amazing organist! What a beautiful performance!

@ryanneel1029 Жыл бұрын

wonderful!!!! wonderful love stuff like this!! sir you inspire me!!!

@JoeyHahn 2 жыл бұрын

Upon revisiting this video after a few years, I'm glad it exists because this brilliant playing inspired me to learn the organ those years ago, and I am very thankful for that. Thank you very much for putting this up, and next time you see Richard Hills, tell him that he is a real pro and that he has successfully inspired someone else to learn this beautiful instrument! Cheers!

@32pedalnotes 10 жыл бұрын

OMG! BRAVO! You beat da hell out of that organ! Man you got soul! Its all there, swinging, singing, running, chords, registration. Your audience is clueless! You are far worthy of more than that lack luster applause. You are my new favorite! Encore! Encore!

@martinmeier8510 7 ай бұрын

Wow and Wow! Fantastic! What a marvelous virtuoso!

@richardcasey7521 2 жыл бұрын

I just LOVE theatre organs. This one looks a Wurlitzer.

@dog3579 11 жыл бұрын

What a tour de force! The level of virtuosity is incredible. I really enjoyed this performance.

@klavier1us 14 жыл бұрын

I can only hope there will be many more posts from this huge talent. This Tiger wasn't just held its' a** was whipped off! Not just a "Rag" it was in tatters, it out ran its' own stripes. No cage built that can hold this Tiger. I have been around and done some TO playing for over 40 years. I've seen and heard 'em all and don't say this lightly by any means:no one played better than this. This is superbly voiced, played and very well taped-first class on all fronts. Bravo & encore please!

@quickfoxxes 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the selection itself, but more important, that you have perfected your skills to such an admirable level of competency. The wonderful instrument was wrung out by your technical ability and the registration choices. Bravo!! Hope for more "period pieces" of this representative music of times past for the Wurlitzer. Such fun!!! Thanks indeed!!!

@1koolness 2 ай бұрын

This guy is absolutely fabulous!!👍

@musical_lolu4811 5 ай бұрын

Richard Hills and Wayne Marshall are just fantastic on this instrument man! Love them.

@fulcherpj 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing on every level!!

@Organgrinder1010 12 жыл бұрын

I'm winded just watching! He's fantastic! Incredibly accurate in addition to being faster than I thought humanly possible!

@OscarMSmithMusic 11 жыл бұрын

This is officially my favourite video on KZfaq!! Wow Richard every time I hear you play, even if its accompanying the choir in Westminster, it's always exciting!!!