Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson (Organ Arrangement)

Advent this year did not start well for me! Storm Arwen left my garden badly battered with a lot of fencing blown down; the snow and ice that followed saw me fall heavily and bruise my lower back (Oooh, matron, my poor coccyx!); I then started with a cold that actually turned out to be Covid (thank goodness I am triple vaccinated or I might not have been able to draw breath and carry on inflicting my compositions on the world!).
Being nearly recovered now from these trials and tribulations, I thought I needed to cheer myself up. And so, for the second time on my channel, I am playing a work not written by me (never the safe option!). I’ve always loved the light, concert pieces of American composer, Leroy Anderson (1908 – 1975) and at this time of year, “Sleigh Ride” is a piece of music I really relish. It’s light-hearted fun, and wonderfully descriptive music.
I have an old score for piano (which is quite leisurely at ♩ = 108, thus suitable for my advancing years and arthritic fingers, which are not so keen to be rushed these days!). I thought I’d give it a go on my favourite Aristide Cavaillé-Coll organ of the St. Etienne Abbey in Caen, produced by Sonus Paradisi. If you are keen to count the mistakes, there are many to keep you occupied. If you like this piece at a quicker tempo, you will find many other superior versions of it on YouTube, and performed on the organ. However, I am pleased to offer my version and I very much hope you might forgive my indulgence and enjoy the glorious sound of this organ if nothing else! Merry Christmas!

[paulpage]

I have often played this as a piano solo, but you have done a remarkable job adapting this “standard” Holiday Season favorite for the organ. You’ve given it a majestic feeling with the slightly-slower-than-typical tempo. Registrations are exciting and beautifully contrasted, too. (Love the accompanying video, too.) Such a pleasure to hear this —- even in the middle of June!

[paulswindenmusic]

I am very ashamed to say that I am watching this video on a hot July afternoon in Suffolk, some several months after you originally posted it! But…it’s a fabulous performance and recording, and the tempo brings out the detail in Anderson’s fine piece! Caen is a great choice - bravo!

[FraserGartshore]

Who says you can’t have fun on a church organ? Well played that man - great registrations too - C-C would love it! Wonderful to see you delving into “my” kind of repertoire - more please!

[aBachwardsfellow]

- what a delightfully-nostalgic performance - audio and visual! Superb registration and articulation - you really made Caen sing and have given us a virtual "candy Caen" ! So glad you're on the mend - keep recovering and "inflicting" us with your compositional goodies - there's better things to come, music-wise and health-wise, I'm sure!

[volkmarbusse]

Dear Graham,
just watched your new video together with my 9 year old son. There is a Christmas mood. Thank you for that, health and God's blessings.
Volkmar

[alexgraziani]

Wow! A proof that everything can be made with the very rich Caen sample set!
Graham, not only you are a great composer but you have amazing registration skills! This recording is really delightful!! I think I'll watch it over and over again!!
Thanks Graham!!

[brawuubrawuzah]

What a great performance! The melody is phenomenal and I am deeply in love with your exquisite play! You got my sub! Kudos and Cheers!!!! ✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅💿💿💿💿💿📀📀📀📀📀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

[organicorgan]

I'm so glad to hear that you're healthy again.
Thanks to you, I am so happy to listen to such a wonderful and exciting carol.
I think the current tempo is just right to enjoy.👌

Merry Christmas!
Graham~

[Japan.Nature]

You have such a wonderful contents! I love watching your videos everytime 💜

[OrganGuyPhil]

Graham, I’m so sorry about all the health struggles you’ve had, but hopefully this jolly tune has helped lift your spirits! It sounds amazing on this organ!!!! Keep healing and keep the music coming! 😊🎄🎶😊

[sandrasedivy]

This is a delight! Thank you, Graham! 💕

[musicarrangestudio]

Such a great performance! Your performance is so beautiful and wonderful! I always respect you and love you!

[Me.Myself.and.I.]

I am sorry to hear of your accident Graham but glad you are back on the mend (pardon the pun!)..awesome playing my friend, , very festive and much needed, you always cheer me with your incredible talents! Happy and Peaceful Advent to you and yours!

[eunjoolisafierro]

I LOVE IT! Oh my goodness... You went through so much... Hope you are 100% recovered!!

[mitpfeiffenundsayten]

Great arrangement! Very effective rendition - the sampleset is perfect for this piece of music.

[DCTOnline]

What a joyous piece, and the colours on the sample were glorious!! Thank you for sharing Graham, and more importantly, I'm glad you're on the road to recovery!! Merry Xmas to you and your family

[RienSchalkwijk]

It’s fantastic dear friend. I loved it from the first note to the last. The beautiful pictures included. BRAVO!

[StoreeDenson]

Beautiful. I almost thought you were playing the St Ouen Composite. Amazing how you can make a three manual organ sound like the organ of St Ouen or Notre Dame de Paris!

[woodbridgeorgan]

This is super-duper fun and cool, Graham!
I'm so sorry that you had Covid and hurt your back, must've been a very hard time to go through. But glad you're healed and back with this wonderful piece!!

[RoDi]

By looking at my mobile first time this day, it gave me FIRST this wonderful video. What a great idea! A good choice of stops, and... it's absolutely lovely how you created the film and the loveliest fotos in the clip. I think it's one of my favorite this year! Please stay healthy and all the best!