Organ music at Notre Dame, Paris. Triumph of the French improvisionist style or hell unchained? (Lighthearted.)

[KnopkaPixie]

A bit long at sixteen minutes but you can get the general flavour after about the first five. Although if you have the time it sort of calms down in the middle, goes into Blackpool Wurlitzer at about thirteen minutes then ramps up again at the end.

My knowledge of organ music is limited but it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

Worth watching for the expressions on the faces of the various politicians and kings/queens.

Prince William looked like he was losing the will to live but Macron seemed utterly enchanted throughout.

Extra points if you spot Salma Hayek. If you timestamp her I'll give you a virtual packet of Haribo.

I know that I'm very uncultured but to quote Les Dawson, "I am playing all the right notes but not nescessarily in the right order."

I think that was Eric Morecombe, but I quite agree. Such a great opportunity wasted.

I don't think it'll make it onto the ear worm thread. In other news ... Trump seems to be morphing into the baddie from Dangermouse (only orange).

A French comment on the video also poured scorn on the poor old priest. (I know that he's much higher up than a priest but ykwim. "Vestments sponsored by Lidl."

He didn't look like he was too impressed either.

I get the style, I'm not a complete moron but for an international audience, can't you tone it down un petit peu?"

You're bringing on Zelensky's PTSD. Have a care.

Forgot to close my bracket. Can anyone, once and for all, explain how to edit a post on a clapped out Samsung phone so I don't keep lowering my online IQ so much on this here forum?

I've tried the horizontal dots.

Thank-you for posting this, just watched it all and thought it was amazing!

Incredible virtuosic organ playing which really showed what their instrument can do.

Am definitely not an expert but apparently improvising is a big part of French church organ playing, and those who are experts could pick up references to French composers and organists which is lovely.

Sadly wasted on the congregation of bigwigs. Although respect to Prince William who had clearly perfected the art of 'I am looking respectful and serious at all times, and no-one is going to catch footage of me yawning'.

Yes, it grows on you the more you listen to it but it was definitely not what I was expecting! The comments in the video sort of explain what the organists are doing and I suppose that it might be a kind of jazz that I was never aware of.

Weirdly I think improvised jazz is an abomination.

I liked the way that they just went all out French and fuck you if you just wanted to turn up to show your importance on a global stage, not recognize the deep spiritual and cultural importance of Notre Dame.

Possibly a bit like the opening of the Olympics which was 'we're Parisian, if you don't like it, tough' and zero thought what a world audience was making of it.