Mendelssohn Overture to Saint Paul | John Scott Organist | Our Lady of Refuge | Brooklyn Diocese

Mendelssohn Saint Paul Overture played by John Scott (1956 - 2015). He was excited for the instruments completion, he volunteered to help raise money toward the restoration of this organ back in 2007. As soon as he hear that the organ was reinstalled in the church again he volunteered to record the Mendelssohn and a work by Frank Bridge in October 2013. He took the Q train to Brooklyn from Manhattan several times to practice in Brooklyn. On one of his trips he was studying the score to the Art of Fugue by Bach on the subway, he missed the Newkirk stop and went all the way to Coney Island. John Scott was held the highest and most distinguished positions in music world. He was honored by many including Queen Elizabeth II. He asked for nothing to make this recording, took nothing, but gave so much. You gave him back excellence. That must have been his secret to being one of the best choral conductor.

Months after this video was made John Scott died of a sudden massive heart attack (August 2015). The music community was devastated. Less then 24 hours after his death a Mass for the repose of his soul was said at Saint Thomas Church, more then 300 people were there. The rector said that for John Scott music was for the Glory of God alone. At his funeral the greatest choir in the United States sang the simple Gregorian Chant Mass from the Kryial. He could have had the grandest Requiem sung. As his body was carried from the church while the choir sang the Gregorian chant In Paradisum. I was struck by the plain, unfinished pine coffin that held one of the finest church musicians in the history of church music. Now I understand why you would not even allow me to give you a metro card for you and Lilly to use for your trip back to Manhattan from Newkirk Plaza.

Thank you John.

Yes the ringer, swim trebles were quickly fixed - voicing issued from 1933 - the Newly restored organ had a punch list of some things that were quickly corrected in time for Olivier Latry a few days later. I wish Kilgen had taken a little more care. They got 95% of everything right the last 4% would have put it on a level of a Skinner or a Kimball. The organ is now better then it was likely new. I hope the parish and the Brooklyn Diocese sees to it good care.

The organ at Our Lady of Refuge was restored to pristine condition through an international appeal since the parish didn't have the financial resources to pay for the work itself. Over 1000 donations from around the world paid for the restoration of this pipe organ - many of the people who gave money have never been to Brooklyn to hear the organ in person. Many of those people are JAV Recordings's customers. These videos are JAV Recordings gift to them to say THANK YOU.

The restoration of the pipe organ at Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn was spearhead by Joe Vitacco working with Fr. Michael Perry, Pastor and a terrific team at the parish. In March of 2016 and after 10 years Joe Vitacco retired and resigned from all volunteer work at Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn. Joe wishes the parish the very best and will miss that organ. It was left in the good hands of local organ builder James Konzelman.

The restoration work was carried out by two of the finest organ builders in North American: Quimby Pipe Organs and A.R. Schopp's Sons.

http://quimbypipeorgans.com

http://arschopp.com

For more on the pipe organ at Our Lady of Refuge and its restoration: http://www.olrbrooklyn.org/pipeorgan/

If you are in Brooklyn stop by the church to hear the pipe organ or just attend Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Refuge. Click her for the Mass schedule: http://www.olrbrooklyn.org/mass-times...

http://www.olrbrooklyn.org/contact/