Love those full, heavy reeds. its so hard to find an organist that really knows how to perfectly balance the reeds and the flues. this guy knows what he's doing.
The thing is, "historically correct performance" (placed within quotation marks for a reason) only really works on historically correct instruments. This is a French-Dutch romantic-eclectic organ, so to speak. A grand instrument by a great builder, and also nothing like what Bach would have known. Bach was known to push organs to their limits. If he had had access to a French romantic organ, would he have let all those grand reeds go to waste? I think not. So this is in fact, I believe, a good example of historically *informed* performance: not merely mimicking the past, but trying to apply the past to the present. Well done; Bach would be proud!
Great to hear a recording that is played at the right speed for the building - so many play it fast in a huge church and the music gets lost in the reverb. This is intelligent and clear. I love it!
I enjoy the slower tempo for several reasons, one of the main ones is i get to listen to the fantastic harmonies that fill the fantasia for even longer!
Simply the best Bach performance on RUclips, this side of Marie Claire Alain. Wonderful organ; excellent, clear registrations; fantastic performance. It is so wonderful to hear an organist that, you can tell, is listening to the organ sing, while playing.
The fantasy in this should indeed, not be rushed. Bach's music needs space to breath; the fantasy plays out much more effectively when played as it is here. Nicely done!. As for the last chords of the fantasy: Chilling!!!
absurdly well played performance of what might be the single most powerful piece of music ever written. Listened to this on maximum volume with earplugs. I am shocked. I would like it 5 times if I could.
This is the best rendition I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of them. Each and every one is lacking in some way, except this one, this one is perfect.
Beautiful, beautiful performance!!! As many times as I've heard this piece I''ve never heard it played so reverently. Remember Bach considered all his music to be praising God. Great job! Thank you so much.
Sorry for my bad English. "Reverently"..."I've never heard it played so reverently." You are wrong! This performance is played by an musican without any respect to the baroque style. The most important in our days, is to restore the old music. This performance is an copy how they played 100 years ago, and we know it's wrong!
geir øyvind eskeland I agree - I love the sounds and almost all of the performance, except the ending sounds far too overindulgent, and we're used to a cleaner performance style. That aside, I really enjoyed it!
I keep coming back to the interpretation of the Fantasia. By the end, the Grand octave notes allow great dramatic impression and touch the very nerves of my soul. Would love to see it live. See it, because this music is so good it can be seen also.
lloyd takes the "JPA" approach to this work (and indeed, to most of what he tackles!!): Just Plain Awesome. From the very first chord, absolutely spell-binding. Thank you SO much for posting this!!!
His music was put on the Apollo and sent out into space so that if it comes into contact with alien life they can learn of the greatest intellectual achievement of our species. We give back to the community, while Bach gives back to the cosmos!
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (May 17), I attended a memorial service for my former pastor at Wiles Chapel on the campus of Newberry College. This was played as part of the pre-service music.
Many kind comments here, thank you! caveat: For me the fantasia has always invited a use of colour that Bach would not have had access to; this of course may offend some purists. Vive la difference! GL
Bravissomo! By far the best performance of the fantasia I heard on RUclips. Perfect sense and expression of the drama, perfect tempo and registration (in particular the contrast between forte and piano parts). This guy really understands what he is playing. This is not yet another virtuosity show (as many other ogranists treat it), but a very deep and emotional piece, Bach wrote shortly after the death of his 1st wife. Well, the tempo is quite slow, but it must be, given the mass of sound involved. Crescendo starting at 4:33 is very romantic and very unorthodox for "historically informed" purists, but I really like it, not only for this reason ;-) In the fuge I like especially the phrasing and articulation. However, its registration is overloaded and in general not convincing to me.
Holy Mary Mother of God - that's one of the best renditions of this piece I've ever heard since Karl Richter performed it on the organ of the Victoria Hall in Geneva!
Great performance! It’s very similar to that presented a long time ago by Andrzej Białko, Polish organist. It’s a bit reckless but sounds pretty good. Dress is tasteless from my conservative point of view. Thank you.
I love it! Dude in track pants and hoodie sits at the console and pumps out a flawless performance of one of the greatest masterpieces of all time in western music by the greatest master of counterpoint who ever lived! If that’s not an enduring living cultural tradition I don’t know what is!
Detta är ju RIKTIGT BRA spelat. Organisten har BEGRIPIT musiken. Bra mycket bättre än Karl Richter och hans sentida kompisar . Ren barock-känsla! SUVERÄNT! Gratulerar!
+David Kirk -- This is more in line with Schweitzer's late recording from 1958 or so. Even a little slower. I like the drama of the slow builds he creates.
5 лет назад+2
Why do so many organists slow down to half of the tempo after playing that first chord in the Fanstasia? Play the chord and then continue in the same tempo! The chords are quarter notes, the space between them is a quarter rest. It's simple. But no, this guy's tempo is all over the place (and he is hardly an bad exception, many organists do it). And then in the fourth measure, when there is a pedal tone, he speeds up as if he is afraid the organ will run out of air... I get that recitative parts are not supposed to be in strict metrical time, and can be played rubato, but with rubato the rule is to give back what you steal, not to change the tempo willy-nilly.
It's about expressions. Some people play it fast, some people like it slow. Some people write stupid comments but hey, what do I know? I'm not the one with 100,000 views.
He’s playing to the full expression of the building he is in. The church as you hear at pauses reverberates amazingly/horribly depending on what you’re looking for. I believe he handles it very well, slowing down where notes need to be heard to be understood, and speeding up where notes are less important and need less auditory experience for the listener.
Love those full, heavy reeds. its so hard to find an organist that really knows how to perfectly balance the reeds and the flues. this guy knows what he's doing.
The thing is, "historically correct performance" (placed within quotation marks for a reason) only really works on historically correct instruments. This is a French-Dutch romantic-eclectic organ, so to speak. A grand instrument by a great builder, and also nothing like what Bach would have known. Bach was known to push organs to their limits. If he had had access to a French romantic organ, would he have let all those grand reeds go to waste? I think not. So this is in fact, I believe, a good example of historically *informed* performance: not merely mimicking the past, but trying to apply the past to the present. Well done; Bach would be proud!
I agree with this man explanation! 👌
Interpretazione vera e autentica. Grazie.
Great to hear a recording that is played at the right speed for the building - so many play it fast in a huge church and the music gets lost in the reverb. This is intelligent and clear. I love it!
Very much so!
Powerful interpretation! Congratulations! And the instrument is monumental!
The Fantasia is so epic!
Oj vad orgeln låter fantastiskt och du spelar toppenflott! Kul att vi har denna orgel i Stockholm! :D
I love Bach at a slower tempo he was the god of tonal harmony and you can appreciate his remarkable harmonic creative power at slower tempos.
Yeah, I've been listening to the double violin concerto, the slow movement. The harmonies in that piece makes my soul cry.
I enjoy the slower tempo for several reasons, one of the main ones is i get to listen to the fantastic harmonies that fill the fantasia for even longer!
Wow! That's what I would describe as a colossal interpretation!
Easily the best performance of this amazing piece I've heard. This is a superb instrument. Bravo! ❤
This is great. I like the slower tempo; it gives a sense of great depth.
Nothing like getting a fucking commercial right before music like this. Breaks the damn mood. Thanks, Google.
Just beautiful.
After browsing through videos after videos I must say this is my favorite. Well done!
This piece makes me feel as if I am at both the end and the beginning of the universe.
A really good all round performance on a great sounding instrument. Well done.
My favorite!
Simply the best Bach performance on RUclips, this side of Marie Claire Alain.
Wonderful organ; excellent, clear registrations; fantastic performance. It is so wonderful to hear an organist that, you can tell, is listening to the organ sing, while playing.
The fantasy in this should indeed, not be rushed. Bach's music needs space to breath; the fantasy plays out much more effectively when played as it is here. Nicely done!. As for the last chords of the fantasy: Chilling!!!
Just magnificent, Gregory! Congratulations ! 👏👏
absurdly well played performance of what might be the single most powerful piece of music ever written. Listened to this on maximum volume with earplugs. I am shocked. I would like it 5 times if I could.
Großartig!
This is the best rendition I've ever heard, and I've heard a lot of them. Each and every one is lacking in some way, except this one, this one is perfect.
Bach, le grand et inepuisable Bach ! Un interpretation tres belle.
How is it even possible? One of the deepest things in the world.
Beautiful, beautiful performance!!! As many times as I've heard this piece I''ve never heard it played so reverently. Remember Bach considered all his music to be praising God. Great job! Thank you so much.
Sorry for my bad English. "Reverently"..."I've never heard it played so reverently." You are wrong! This performance is played by an musican without any respect to the baroque style. The most important in our days, is to restore the old music. This performance is an copy how they played 100 years ago, and we know it's wrong!
geir øyvind eskeland I agree - I love the sounds and almost all of the performance, except the ending sounds far too overindulgent, and we're used to a cleaner performance style. That aside, I really enjoyed it!
+geir øyvind eskeland But some of us LOVE the old masters of the 19th century!!!!
I keep coming back to the interpretation of the Fantasia. By the end, the Grand octave notes allow great dramatic impression and touch the very nerves of my soul. Would love to see it live. See it, because this music is so good it can be seen also.
woooowww!!!
lloyd takes the "JPA" approach to this work (and indeed, to most of what he tackles!!): Just Plain Awesome. From the very first chord, absolutely spell-binding. Thank you SO much for posting this!!!
Wow wow, chills! Amazing version! 06:50 at the ending of the Fantasia...wow
Morten Malvik yea I got chills goosebumps and everything else listening this part....awesome !
No this video just proved that Bach is pretty alive!!!
His music was put on the Apollo and sent out into space so that if it comes into contact with alien life they can learn of the greatest intellectual achievement of our species. We give back to the community, while Bach gives back to the cosmos!
Anton Heiller The Best execution! BWV 542: "The apocalypse second J.S.Bach"
Gorgeous. I don't really know what else to say. Stirring and evocative.
Bravo!!!
Fantastique 👍👍👍🙏
Just great! Congratulations Gregory! 👏👏
Bach doit vous applaudir !!!! C'est ça !!!! Au battement de son coeur !!!! Enfin .....j'attendais votre interpretation !!!!😇🥰 Excellent!!!
Beautiful registrations!!!!!!!!
Bach and the Adidas organist have shown that impossible is nothing.
I see what you did there :D
Maravillosa obra
4:32 - 5:14 though simple, is absolutely breathtaking.
My favourite Bach
His memory remains and lives in his music. Proud he is of whoever plays his music RIGHT!
4:32 - 5:12 Was amazing.
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (May 17), I attended a memorial service for my former pastor at Wiles Chapel on the campus of Newberry College. This was played as part of the pre-service music.
😳
This can never be loud enough for me
Hahah, indeed, I totally agree! ;-)
Pheweee I think that's the way this one is supposed to sound! The section from 4:30- 5:15 is just perfect, a lot of people mess that part up...
THANK YOU for pointing out one my very favorite passages. You are right on with your comment.
the end of the fantasia...wow...it's superb:D
Loved the fantasia interpretation. Sooooo dramatic in all aspects.
Once you go Bach, there's no going back.
Many kind comments here, thank you! caveat: For me the fantasia has always invited a use of colour that Bach would not have had access to; this of course may offend some purists. Vive la difference!
GL
this could possibly be the most beautiful-sounding organ I have ever heard.
its just... breathtaking.
Top notch. Guten Morgan -Ronald
Grande!
神曲!!
gracias
Incredibile!!!
Stark! Und beeindruckend. Karl Straube und das 19. Jahrh. lassen grüßen.
agreed
Bravissomo! By far the best performance of the fantasia I heard on RUclips. Perfect sense and expression of the drama, perfect tempo and registration (in particular the contrast between forte and piano parts). This guy really understands what he is playing. This is not yet another virtuosity show (as many other ogranists treat it), but a very deep and emotional piece, Bach wrote shortly after the death of his 1st wife.
Well, the tempo is quite slow, but it must be, given the mass of sound involved. Crescendo starting at 4:33 is very romantic and very unorthodox for "historically informed" purists, but I really like it, not only for this reason ;-)
In the fuge I like especially the phrasing and articulation. However, its registration is overloaded and in general not convincing to me.
Holy Mary Mother of God - that's one of the best renditions of this piece I've ever heard since Karl Richter performed it on the organ of the Victoria Hall in Geneva!
Wow, i love the tempo, congratz
6:53 Now that's the sound of raw power!
You just listened to a Bach work played by a guy in tracksuit.
BACH = ART + SCIENCE
the adidas pants are so funny!
Look like general's stripes to me.
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685, he passed away in the year 1750.
Great performance! It’s very similar to that presented a long time ago by Andrzej Białko, Polish organist. It’s a bit reckless but sounds pretty good. Dress is tasteless from my conservative point of view. Thank you.
I love it! Dude in track pants and hoodie sits at the console and pumps out a flawless performance of one of the greatest masterpieces of all time in western music by the greatest master of counterpoint who ever lived! If that’s not an enduring living cultural tradition I don’t know what is!
Cosmic journey
Fugue at 7:30
Detta är ju RIKTIGT BRA spelat. Organisten har BEGRIPIT musiken. Bra mycket bättre än Karl Richter och hans sentida kompisar . Ren barock-känsla! SUVERÄNT!
Gratulerar!
One shouldn't skip the fantasia, it's like skipping through a packet of pringles to eat the bottom half and leaving the top majority on the floor. :P
10:58 .. oh mercy
From 7:30
7:30
On the worlds largest pipe organ I believe?
Today I was using Shazam to detect a leaked Daft Punk song, and it came up with this. WHAT
How old is bach??!
Someone's been listening to Richter. :)
David Kirk Everybody listens to Richter!
Steven Carr SOOOOOO TRUE!!!
+David Kirk -- This is more in line with Schweitzer's late recording from 1958 or so. Even a little slower. I like the drama of the slow builds he creates.
Why do so many organists slow down to half of the tempo after playing that first chord in the Fanstasia? Play the chord and then continue in the same tempo! The chords are quarter notes, the space between them is a quarter rest. It's simple.
But no, this guy's tempo is all over the place (and he is hardly an bad exception, many organists do it). And then in the fourth measure, when there is a pedal tone, he speeds up as if he is afraid the organ will run out of air...
I get that recitative parts are not supposed to be in strict metrical time, and can be played rubato, but with rubato the rule is to give back what you steal, not to change the tempo willy-nilly.
It's about expressions. Some people play it fast, some people like it slow.
Some people write stupid comments but hey, what do I know? I'm not the one with 100,000 views.
He’s playing to the full expression of the building he is in. The church as you hear at pauses reverberates amazingly/horribly depending on what you’re looking for. I believe he handles it very well, slowing down where notes need to be heard to be understood, and speeding up where notes are less important and need less auditory experience for the listener.
Just another "expert"with a dumb comment.
Registration un peu lourde, trop de jeux dans les tuttis, manque de finesse.
nice music comparing crappy modern music
que bajavrga son los anuncios maldita sea 😈
Fantasia: 9/10, fugue: 1/10. (the composition)
GREAT GREAT EXECUTION
Automatic down-votes due to the video being interrupted by a commercial.
Bach is dead...
神曲!!
agreed