Dick Leibert was indeed an interesting person and a very fine organist. There is a biography and a three part discography that were published in Theatre Organ a few years ago.
The new Christmas show is a great improvement. The terrible video number is gone and has been replaced by the familiar, and much better, “Rag Doll” number. Also, the organists are playing a new medley as an overture. The old one sounded like endless transitions without songs/carols in between. Now, you can identify the pieces that they are playing.
Furthermore, the show begins with the orchestra coming up on the lift, the consoles rolling out, and singers on the waterfall stage extensions singing Christmas carols. They are dressed in traditional RCMH usher uniforms. It’s a nice tribute to the history of the Music Hall.
I also like the way that the organs pick up the last piece as the consoles roll out to play the “Hallelujah Chorus” as exit music. The organists end with a big D major chord and holding bottom D, middle D, and top D in the pedals. That bottom D on the Wurlitzer hits the resonant frequency of the room. A nice old fashioned trick that Leibert used effectively for years. Overall, it seems that someone in charge is being more sensitive to what sounds and looks good in the space. Now, if we could only get rid of that fake proscenium insert that reduces the size of the opening.
I went to see the Christmas Show on Friday November 8. The good things first: 1) the show is impeccably done and is up to the usual standards, 2) the organ was used before the show and during it, 3) the new number “Snow” was quite nice, 4) the hideous speakers have been removed. Overall it was an excellent experience.
Now the bad things: 1) the theater had not been cleaned since the earlier show. There was popcorn everywhere. I complained. 2) there were hawkers selling stuffed animals and urging that customers get their photos taken with a Rockette—very tacky, 3) the organists play exactly the same thing every year. They should listen to Leibert’s Christmas albums, 4) there is an “interior” proscenium fit into the larger one that diminishes the size of the opening, 5) the video game number is horrible. Let us hope that it disappears soon.
In spite of the things I didn’t like, I’m deeply grateful that the theater still exists and is in excellent condition. It really is beautiful. I’m also grateful that the organ has not been trashed and that it is still used.
RE: Seven Hills of Rome. According to a knowledgeable source, Leibert did a solo spot for every screening in which he played “Come Dance With Me” which was his own composition sung by Mario Lanza in the film. Other organists then played the breaks between the film and stage show.
Will the organ be used for the summer spectacular?
Dick Leibert was indeed an interesting person and a very fine organist. There is a biography and a three part discography that were published in Theatre Organ a few years ago.
Can anyone tell me how much of the vocal music for the Christmas Show is dubbed? I assume that all of it is, including Santa’s monologues.
Was the Wurlitzer used before the screening of Back to the Future? Will it be used for the Christmas show?
Are they using the Wurlitzer before and/or during the Spring Spectacular?
The new Christmas show is a great improvement. The terrible video number is gone and has been replaced by the familiar, and much better, “Rag Doll” number. Also, the organists are playing a new medley as an overture. The old one sounded like endless transitions without songs/carols in between. Now, you can identify the pieces that they are playing.
Furthermore, the show begins with the orchestra coming up on the lift, the consoles rolling out, and singers on the waterfall stage extensions singing Christmas carols. They are dressed in traditional RCMH usher uniforms. It’s a nice tribute to the history of the Music Hall.
I also like the way that the organs pick up the last piece as the consoles roll out to play the “Hallelujah Chorus” as exit music. The organists end with a big D major chord and holding bottom D, middle D, and top D in the pedals. That bottom D on the Wurlitzer hits the resonant frequency of the room. A nice old fashioned trick that Leibert used effectively for years. Overall, it seems that someone in charge is being more sensitive to what sounds and looks good in the space. Now, if we could only get rid of that fake proscenium insert that reduces the size of the opening.
I went to see the Christmas Show on Friday November 8. The good things first: 1) the show is impeccably done and is up to the usual standards, 2) the organ was used before the show and during it, 3) the new number “Snow” was quite nice, 4) the hideous speakers have been removed. Overall it was an excellent experience.
Now the bad things: 1) the theater had not been cleaned since the earlier show. There was popcorn everywhere. I complained. 2) there were hawkers selling stuffed animals and urging that customers get their photos taken with a Rockette—very tacky, 3) the organists play exactly the same thing every year. They should listen to Leibert’s Christmas albums, 4) there is an “interior” proscenium fit into the larger one that diminishes the size of the opening, 5) the video game number is horrible. Let us hope that it disappears soon.
In spite of the things I didn’t like, I’m deeply grateful that the theater still exists and is in excellent condition. It really is beautiful. I’m also grateful that the organ has not been trashed and that it is still used.
RE: Seven Hills of Rome. According to a knowledgeable source, Leibert did a solo spot for every screening in which he played “Come Dance With Me” which was his own composition sung by Mario Lanza in the film. Other organists then played the breaks between the film and stage show.