[Youtube Archive of Recorded Organ Music]

20 hours ago, contraviolone said:

That's quite an early recording by Pierre Cochereau though, before all the work carried out in the 1960s. I suppose from a historical perspective it is quite interesting, if only to prove that by the 1950s the organ was falling to pieces.

By far the best recording by Pierre Cochereau of BWV565 was made in 1973, on the Philips label. I have both the vinyl and CD recording of this performance, and for me this represents the pinnacle of PCs abilities as a performer, and also the very best of the Notre Dame de Paris organ before all the changes made in 1992:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0ti8f0GIGw

Yes, it's the organ before the addition of the awful synthesizer-sounding chamades. We have a very different point of view. 
Of course the organ needed restoration, but I prefer the Aristide Cavaillé-Coll smooth sound of the 60s version to the plastic sound of the 70s 🙂

[Real pipe organ vs Virtual pipe organ]

1 hour ago, pwhodges said:

The nearest to a true comparison that I can think of would be to record the organ "live" at the same time and using the same microphones as the recording of the sample set, played back on the same system.  This would enable a comparison in which presence and setup of the sampling software was the only variable.

Paul

this is the case in the video. Same microphones, same placement.

[Real pipe organ vs Virtual pipe organ]

7 hours ago, Keitha said:

They sound pretty close to each other, if not identical.  But, of course, they are being heard in the same acoustic, through the same speakers, via the same amplifier, in my living room. That said, if I had the space (and more cash!) I would buy a digital home practice organ.  I would even say that the latest and best digital software with high quality amplification and sufficient channels and speakers of the right blend and quality will, with expert voicing, sound excellent in a building with decent acoustics. I have trialled them in large churches and the sound can be remarkable.  Even if the acoustics are lacking resonance, that can, to a degree, be fixed to provide warmer reverberation.

That said, I think a good pipe organ has a 'living' quality that even the best digitals can't beat (but may do one day) - which is why I have spent a lot of time and energy on the installation of a pipe organ in my own parish church, which has been received with enthusiasm by the clergy and parishioners.

We agree, nothing beats a real organ, the same goes for all instruments. Nevertheless, it is an excellent tool for working at home

[Real pipe organ vs Virtual pipe organ]

7 hours ago, Colin Pykett said:

The video is comparing a recording of a pipe organ with a recording of a pipe organ.  That is not the same thing as listening to a pipe organ in a building and comparing that experience with listening to a recording of it.

Yes of course.  But although both are recordings, there are differences, have you heard them?

 

[Youtube Archive of Recorded Organ Music]

It's a fantastic YouTube channel, full of exceptional recordings, thanks for sharing.

We can also add the recordings of Pierre Cochereau, one of the greatest French organists, holder of the organ of Notre Dame de Paris. He recorded the greats Bach's Toccatas, the one in D minor at Notre Dame de Paris gives you chills with the 32" stops
 

 

[Real pipe organ vs Virtual pipe organ]

Hello,
I have just made a comparison between the sound of a real pipe organ and the same virtual pipe organ. Of course, nothing beats a real organ, but the virtual organ is still an excellent solution for practicing the organ at home.
What do you think ?