Thanks to Tam for this flash choir video. One of the treasures of Philadelphia is that it’s home to the world’s largest musical instrument, the Wanamaker Organ. I’ve been remiss in not taking Bitter into the city to hear one of the daily Organ Concerts that treat the shoppers of John Wanamaker’s Hecht’s Lord & Taylor, Macy’s:
Philadelphia isn’t blessed with much, but the Wanamaker Organ is one of them. Our symphony orchestra and other performing arts groups are also. This flash choir was put on by the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Performing arts groups, particular opera companies, struggle to find supporters. I worry that eventually the Wanamaker Organ is going bye bye, along with most of the city’s arts community because they aren’t finding enough interest to keep them going.
I miss Hechts
One of my favorite old vinyl LP albums featured Virgil Fox at the Wanamaker as the virtuoso organist. Liebestod was one of the favorites.
Argh – severe nostalgia moment.
Wow. If I was in a store and that many people showed up, I’d get the @#$% out ASAP. Singing or whatever is all fun and games until the stampede starts.
Here is another one of those “flash chorus” deals … some shopping mall. This one seems more of a surprise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Being a social liberal, an evolutionist, an agnostic, few people confuse me with a religious person. That said, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most powerful and moving musical compositions I have ever heard (and likely will ever hear). Truthfully, the Messiah chorus brings tears to my eyes … every time, it seems. Call me silly or overly-emotional, but it does.
Sorry … that’s the “Hallelujah” chorus, not the “Messiah” chorus.
Carl,
“Being a social liberal, an evolutionist, an agnostic, few people confuse me with a religious person. That said, Handel’s Messiah is one of the most powerful and moving musical compositions I have ever heard (and likely will ever hear). Truthfully, the Messiah chorus brings tears to my eyes … every time, it seems.”
Yeah, ol’ George Fred found exactly the right buttons to push in my monkey brain, too. Works every time. Only Beethoven’s 9th (the greatest musical achievement of any human thus far, BTW,) is more reliable in that respect.
Thanks for posting this video. I too worry about the loss of the arts in our society. As a pacifist and anti-gun activist. It is a good reminder that even though we may be on different sides when it comes to the role guns should play in our society, we can be on the same side of other issues like the arts, and being captivated by such a wonderfully beautiful song as the “Hallelujah†chorus.