Joshua Stafford Arranges Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ for the Midmer-Losh Organ

Joshua Stafford plays his arrangement of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” on the Midmer-Losh pipe organ at Boardwalk Hall.

The Boardwalk Organs upload identifies Stafford and credits him with the arrangement. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Several manuals and the pedalboard let Stafford handle melody and accompaniment across the instrument. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

The song’s contrasting sections require changes in musical texture and coordination between hands and feet. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

The full recording shows how the separate parts connect in one organ rendition. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Watch the performance

Registration changes alter the instrument’s tone as the arrangement moves through different sections. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

The hands shift between keyboards and musical roles to keep the phrases connected. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Pedal work supplies another layer beneath the manual parts and supports the harmonic movement. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

The console view helps show how the large instrument is used to play a familiar composition. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Queen’s song moves through multiple musical styles, which Stafford brings together in his organ arrangement. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Changes in pace and texture give the performance a varied progression. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Boardwalk Organs presents the video within its work around the hall’s instruments. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Another Boardwalk Organs recording shows Stafford playing the Midmer-Losh console with different material. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Queen’s official video offers a separate reference to the band’s original arrangement. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

One performer coordinates multiple musical layers in real time across the organ. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

Stafford’s version gives the song a complete instrumental form at Boardwalk Hall. The full video keeps these details in the musical context. Hearing the full sequence shows how the parts connect and develop.

More videos to explore

Boardwalk Organs’ other Stafford performance presents another setting for the Midmer-Losh organ.

Queen’s remastered official video shows “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the band’s arrangement.

Further reading: Performance background and source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHLRgvNh6Lk