Sonata on the 94th Psalm - Julius Reubke. David Briggs at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, NYC
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Sonata on the 94th Psalm - Julius Reubke (1834-58). David Briggs at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, NYC
The son of an organ-builder, a pupil at the Berlin Conservatory and an ardent disciple of Franz Liszt, Julius Reubke left only two major works (this sonata and a large-scale piano sonata) prior to his death of tuberculosis at the age of only twenty-four. The Sonata on the 94th Psalm dates from 1858 and is one of the most classic and kaleidoscopic cornerstones of the high romantic virtuoso organ repertoire.
I think it’s probably at least a decade since I’ve played this wonderful piece, but the morning of the recording session a couple of weeks back I spotted the brown Reubke cover peeping alluringly out in my German Romantic organ music box, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. Nothing like a bit of impulsivity! I’d forgotten quite how much I love it - so I sincerely hope you will enjoy it, too. I think it works rather well on our ‘Father’ Walker...
Conceived on a grand plan, the work is inspired by the following text:
(Grave - Larghetto)
1 O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Herr Gott, des die Rache ist, erscheine.
2 Arise, thou Judge of the world: and reward the proud after their deserving.
Erhebe Dich, Du Richter der Welt: vergilt den Hoffärtigen, was sie verdienen.
(Allegro con fuoco)
3 Lord, how long shall the ungodly triumph?
Herr, wie lange sollen die Gottlosen prahlen?
6 They murder the widow, and the stranger: and put the fatherless to death.
Witwen und Fremdlinge erwürgen sie und töten die Weisen
7 And yet they say the Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
und sagen: der Herr sieht es nicht an der Gott Jacobs achtet es nicht.
(Adagio)
17 If the Lord had not helped me: it had not failed but my soul had been put to silence.
Wo der Herr mir nicht hülfe, so läge meine Seele schier in der Stille.
19 In the multitude of sorrows that I had in my heart: thy comforts have refreshed my soul.
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen, aber deine Tröstungen ergötzen meine Seele.
(Allegro)
22 But the Lord is my refuge: and my God is the strength of confidence.
Aber der Herr ist mein Hort und meine Zuversicht.
23 He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice.
Er wird ihnen Unrecht vergelten und sie um ihre Bosheit vertilgen.
David, Absolutely Amazing !
One of the most haunting pieces of organ music ever written!
It’s wonderful, isn’t it? It gives you the opportunity to portray almost every emotion.
There is no other word other than ethereal (in a spectral sort of way). First hearing for me.
@@davidbriggs6375 I was mesmerized by how totally and constantly busy you were. I've never seen that kind of playing before. this piece certainly demanded it. Seriously mountainous.
@@StephenRCar Thank you so much, Stephen! I'm very happy that you enjoyed it 😎
Magical David. Very moving and inspiring. Thank you for all these wonderful recordings you share here. Stay safe friend.
My very great pleasure, Joe. I hope you are staying safe and well. Would love to come back to Guelph sometime - such a magical building and completely amazing instrument!
Magnificent from first bar to last. A reminder that this isn’t simply a cornerstone of the instrument’s "19th Century" repertoire alone. Like others I suspect, I've heard many performances of this over the years but unable to remember one that showcases Reubke’s brilliance as a composer (rather than simply the player’s technical abilities!!) as effectively as this. This performance serves as a reminder of the tragedy that Reubke passed away in his early 20’s but that we should be grateful he left us this colossal work. “He shall recompense them their wickedness, and destroy them in their own malice”..... I don’t think I’ve ever heard the wicked destroyed as comprehensively as they are in this performance of the work’s fabulous fugue. Amazing; thank you so much for sharing.
This is fab!
Thank you so much - delighted you enjoyed it 😎
Thank you for this. I first heard the work at the Church where I was a Choir member and also member of the Choral Society - Stratford-upon-Avon. It was performed by our DoM Peter Summers. Reminiscing with him today he told me that you played for our Prelude to Christmas in 1979 - in which I would have sung. Peter says he is going to dig out your current performance and listen. Michael Perkins
Thank you very much, Michael - delighted you enjoyed it. I have very fond memories of Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon!
Just at the most tender moment in this piece and a siren, anyway a lovely rendition of this fine Sonata.
All my stuff is generally recorded in one take. I can edit patches but thought in this case I would leave it as a memorial to all those who lost their lives to Covid-19 in New York.
Fantastic, David. Really wonderful. Thank you for bringing your artistry to one of the pieces that inspired me to become an organist so many years ago.
Your channel quickly became my favorite, especially having discovered the beauty of Cochereau’s improvisations just before the tragic fire at the N.D. de Paris. It’s been a great journey. Thanks again.
Thank you so much, Kevin - thrilled that you enjoyed it. Where are you based, in fact?
@@davidbriggs6375 Portland, OR area USA.
David. Thank you very much for sharing your talent, of playing this incredibly beautiful, and I should add very difficult music with us.
Question, how does an electronic organ fill such a enormous space as is St. John The Divine, in NYC?
Excellent performance, David! Is this a temporary console for the Skinner or was this an electric organ?
This is a temporary console. The organ is being restored in the fall. The speakers of this temporary console were placed I think in the exact area of the Skinner Organ.
The Zimbelstern… debatable
so, there is nothing wrong with choosing registration not fully according to what the composer wanted. but i just want to know why you used a reed in the beginning
It’s just a personal choice! 😎