Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs

[Guest]

As you might have already noticed, you can watch Cameron Carpenter perform on their new organs. (check www.johannus.com) Very inspiring!

[DellAnderson]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



[quote user="Eric Douglas"]As you might have already noticed, you can watch Cameron Carpenter perform on their new organs. (check www.johannus.com) Very inspiring![/quote]</p>

Well...I for one couldn't find Cameron Carpenter anywhere on the English or Dutch Johannus websites. I did find other things (like musical contributions, the intro of the Vivaldi (no that isn't Cameron best I can tell unless he has undergone significant changes in the last week and a half!)
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[Manum de Tabula]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Eric must be in a world two days ahead of us[ap]. I couldn't find Cam either. </p>

It would be nice to hear the organ without the massive amount of reverb.
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[DellAnderson]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Looks like Eric has tipped his hand as a Johannus insider. I hate bait and switch. But maybe this is just bait and wait.
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[Orglemann]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



When this does happen, it will be interesting to see the reactions owing to the polarization of opinions on CC ... as evidenced here and on other organ related groups and chat lists. I don't know if overall, it will be a plus or minus for Johannus. Someone, certainly is bound to comment that CC started concertizing on the world's most expensive E-org, in Trinity Church Wall street ......... and is now associated with a manufacturer known for the least expensive models of any major manufacturer. I'm certainly eager to see the new videos, having enjoyed the YouTube vids I've seen of these 2 new lines of organs.
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Phil
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[Guest]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Sure, Cameron's collaboration with Johannus might cause some of us to stir a negative controversy. It's a matter of maturity and perspective.

When I was a youngster I bought and drank the Kool-aid doctrine of E. Power Biggs whom I still greatly admire. But I was a pipe organ snob, a fool really, and I condemned the performances of Virgil Fox and his Black Beauty. I even missed out on attending a great concert Virgil gave an hour's drive from here. What a dumb ass I was.

Cameron Carpenter is outrageous. I'm hoping Johannus will introduce a couple of new digital organs that are capable of demonstrating how truly outrageous are Mr. Carpenter's interpretations and virtuosity.

Cheers!

[Guest]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



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Check this out:</p>

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HrhZ1-cPJE</p>

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[DellAnderson]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



[quote user="Orglemann"] owing to the polarization of opinions on CC ... as evidenced here and on other organ related groups and chat lists. I don't know if overall, it will be a plus or minus for Johannus.[/quote]</p>

Yes, the old foagies are bound to complain about a secular talent moving into the 21st century, but that doesn't make it a negative for Johannus. My opinion of the company just quadrupled if this rumor is indeed true. I would worry more about CC's reputation associating with el cheapo consoles, but from what little I know of his philosophy it appears he is more focused on the talent of the musician, NOT fuddie-duddie exclusive bragging rights about the rare exotic wood console of an instrument (providing it is serviceable for the music intended).
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[Guest]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



This outrageous Cameron Carpenter performance is worth a few minutes. Now I understand the granny shoes: he plays four and five note chords in the pedals.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HrhZ1-cPJE
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[Guest]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs





Our Johannus Rembrandt 497 doesn't have an "el cheapo console". Quite the opposite, every part of the console is constructed of selected European dark and light oak, some cross cut, some quarter sawn, the cheeks are slab cut, and the oak veneer bookmaking is spectacular. This was a not a custom job, it's off-the-shelf quality.

Now, our Catholic friends down the street have a new Rodgers installation and the little rails around the top look like wood but are plastic, the desk is junky, three pedal notes didn't work the day I was invited to play, and theirs cost a lot more than our beautiful Johannus 497.

Granted, it's no Arp Schnitger and we can't compare with that. But this sturdy Johannus digital might blow out your candle.



Cheers!

[DellAnderson]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



[quote user="ContraTrumpet"] Our Johannus Rembrandt 497 doesn't have an "el cheapo console". Quite the opposite, every part of the console is constructed of selected European dark and light oak, some cross cut, some quarter sawn, the cheeks are slab cut, and the oak veneer bookmaking is spectacular. This was a not a custom job, it's off-the-shelf quality.[/quote]</p>

Good. There's always room for choice and a flagship model. I admit I have never see the 497, I was judging the brand primarily on the Sweelinck 3 manual I played. </p>

My original comments were more tongue in cheek, but more to the point, an exquisite console is all well and good, but can CC play Stars &amp; Stripes Forever? And will it hold up? That's really what matters, not the "oak veneer bookmaking" (I have to admit I don't even know what bookmaking is).</p>

I have a feeling that talent like CC's, coupled with affordable Johannus organs, will go a long way towards alleviating the organ business woes alluded to by ArieV in a separate thread which in my opinion has been caused by a tradition of stuffiness and uptightness.</p>

CC said at a recent concert that there is no music that the organ should not be able to play, although he said bluegrass was showing some resistance. ;-)
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[nullogik]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Well its now 0 days and there still no revelation on the website...[:(]</p>

But I'll introduce a spoiler... In continuation to my Viscount price list thread, here are the prices for what we can gather are some new models plus a few existing ones.
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Again prices are in Euros and are for the European market. Prices include 19% sales tax, but don't include installation and custom audio setups.
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Eclesia - Specially designed for Church use specifically.
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Eclesia T25 - EUR13,950 (US$17,350)
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Eclesia D35 - EUR17,950 (US$21,600)
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Symphonica - French, German and Dutch sampled organs. 3 manuals, 43 and 55 stops respectively.
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Symphonica 35 - EUR17,950 (US$21,600)
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Symphonica 45 - EUR19,950 (US$24,900)
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Positive range of organs.
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Conservatoire II - EUR15,950 (US$19,900)
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Conservatoire III - EUR17,950 (US$21,600)
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Cavaille Coll inspired model with 60 stops and French terraced console
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Cavaille Coll - EUR33,500 (US$41,700)
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[DellAnderson]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Finally!
http://www.johannus.com/en/</p>

(at least on the English version site)
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[nullogik]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Hmm, rather mixed for me. I wasn't terribly impressed with the sound of the organs. I came away with the feeling that they sounded very "synthetic" and lifeles/sterile </p>

Perhaps a more lively acoustic environment (like a Church or Cathedral) would have been a better place to demonstrate these instruments where the sound could interact with architectural features and the fabric of the building. Then again put any digital organ from any manufacturer in a space like whats in the videos and most, if not all would sound rather uninspiring.
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As for the Cameron endorsement, what a peculiar affair. What happened with his partnership with M&amp;O? Endorsing two brands is not usually the done thing, then again perhaps M&amp;O don't mind so much since Johannus products are not direct competitors to them (i.e. not in their price range!). </p>

After that build up, frankly I feel a rather underwhelmed and disappointed. If I were looking to buy a new digital organ these videos would not do anything to persuade me to buy Johannus.
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[Guest]

Re: Cameron Carpenter introduces new Johannus organs



Having been used to hearing CC play some pretty decent (if grossly overpriced) instruments over the years, to see him play the two Johannus models left me totally underwhelmed. Even with Cameron turning out in a helicopter and his silver sequinned top and matching shoes didn't really convince me that these instruments were sounding anything but rather mediocre. A touch too much spin and presentation than actual hardware substance.</p>

I agree with nullogik that these organs should be heard in the appropriate settings that you are likely to hear them. Hearing them in a studio set-up seems a tad sterile and artificial.</p>

Johannus should have got Cameron playing some of the Makin models. |n my opinion, they are far better than their own offerings.</p>