A marvellous tribute to some of the brilliant music of Herbert Howells. The fabulous Marcussen at Rotterdam has such amazing tonal resources that it was more than a match for the 'Englishness' of the harmonic writing of Howells. If Howells had ever needed a champion, well, he could not have had a finer one than in these performances by Richard. Absolutely stunning in every respect. BRAVO!
This is just a tremendous concert, and I have loved Howells' music since first hearing a Hyperion disc, made at St. Paul's, London, quite a few years ago. That might be my favorite organ in the whole world, but the Rotterdam instrument does a fine job also. Congratulations on a superb concert!
It's nothing short of incredible how much effort you put into all of these performances. This is one of the best channels on youtube and few can even compare in terms of how much prep must go into so many recitals and other professional performances.
Master Tallis's Testament - probably one of my favourite pieces of organ music ever since hearing it played on the Milton organ of Tewkesbury abbey back in the 1970's! Absolutely stunning.
This is an absolute joy. I must have listened to this album over two dozen times now. I had mostly only known Howells from "Master Tallis's Testament", but you have opened my ears to his full genius. The Rotterdam organ sounds amazing. Well done!
Such a splendid program Richard!! Sharing from your spirit this magnificent music of Howells draws the soul into the soaring of the lines of music into the ether of the "music of the spheres." Bless you, Caroline and the baby to come. Thank you for what you do. DJ in Knoxville TN
My journey into the wonderful world of organ music somehow bypassed Howells - but I am indeed very glad that I have been introduced to his wonderful universe in this thrilling and immersive way! Thank you, Richard, for such dedication, passion, and commitment to bringing this wonderful recording to life. As always, nothing short of excellence in audio-visual production; but the music... what a feast of harmony and emotion - your connection to Howells music is clear. I hope to learn some and will be returning to this recording as a valuable reference. Bravo!!!
So love when you play J.S.Bach and Eugene Gigout “Grand Choeur Dialogue” but so many thank you’s for introducing me to Herbert Howells. His music is superb.
Superb performance. My favorite is M T Testament. Remember recording James Lancelot, in a pitch black Durham Cathedral (loft light on only), while trying new microphones, back in the late 90's. Still play it back in 2021. Well done Richard
This concert really is so wonderful!! I enjoy every note of it and the sound of the organ is very impressive and beautiful. It sounds so full-bodied and massive yet subtle at the same time. Thank you and carry on the good work!
Bravo - I think I have only ever heard two or three of those pieces. In the autumn I discovered that the organist and choir master of my youth of over 50 years ago had passed away through COVID in the spring. He trained at the RSM and when practising a piece of Rheinburger heard heavy breathing behind. It was Howells who exclaimed, “I wish I wrote that!” In an hour I feel I have caught up with all the voluntaries I have missed before and after the evensongs that I have been unable to attend. You have transported me to another place and brought to memory a musician who introduced me to Howells and so much else. Many thanks. You must be exhilarated but exhausted after this!
Howells on a Dutch organ? "Would that work" I thought? Having listened, I am converted, an unequivocal "Yes it does work!". A superb Hauptwerk console you have there too. Thank you for the concert.
The powerful organ played with such a huge level of confidence such as this, is 'simply the best.My own clever brother played many, which gave me the absolute need to hear them year in & year out.Super show.Thankyou Utube.
Richard, this is a wonderful recital, great to see your enjoyment of playing these sumptuous pieces, it is most satisfying to hear some favourites, and some not so well known Howells. Your registrations are really well thought out. Thank you for all that you and Caroline have brought to us this past year.
Such a pleasure to see and hear you play all this HH. I know you love him, but you don't play a lot on your channel. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! And your transcription of the Pavane was MAGICAL!! Is the score for sale? I'd love to play it.
I’m sorry I couldn’t join “live” on Saturday, so catching up now for my Howells fest! You know how eagerly I’ve awaited this since you first mentioned you were going to do it! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this recording, Richard. I fell instantly in love with Howells' music as a chorister in Oxford, and once I was learning organ, it became a major part of my repertoire as soon as it was within my abilities, particularly when I was playing daily services. I can still absolutely lose myself in it at the drop of a hat. One question: I'm curious as to why you chose the (beautiful!) Rotterdam instrument for this recording, rather than an English cathedral instrument, which might have seemed more obvious. (The Rotterdam reeds and the brightness of the mixtures are spectacular, though, I freely admit!)
Thanks Panne. I chose Rotterdam simply because I wanted to bring a new and fresh interpretation to the music. We are so used to hearing Herbert’s music played on English organs, but hearing it on a wonderful Dutch organ brings different colours to the music and allows my audience to hear his music again for the ‘first’ time 😊
@@beautyinsound Thank you! I think you absolutely achieved that: the tone colours were wonderful. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and see whether my playing can be resurrected now that arthritis is under control -- I'm feeling quite inspired by all the wonderful recitals I've listened to over the last few months, notably yours, Ashley Grote at Norwich, and some wonderful Cavaillé-Coll instruments in France. (I wish those had been available 40 years ago when I started learning the romantic French repertoire! I understand so much more about the registration and colours now...)
How and where was this album recorded? The Laurenskerk Rotterdam (NL) isn't mentioned anywhere, but photos of the big Marcussen organ are to be seen. But it also looks as if Richard is playing in a drawing room, with all those paraphernalia around.
Which edition of Laurenskirk Rotterdam did you use? I want to achieve the same acoustics, but wonder if you use the full wet edition, or full dry edition with a custom reverb? It’s an extremely beautiful rendition of every single work, Richard. This gets me in tears. Beautiful. Great work!!
It's a wonderful performance and I always enjoy listening to it. Light shines through the gaps in the clouds, and many angels are likely to come down. It's a seasoned organ, but when did you make it? I'm sorry to ask you a question.
@@beautyinsound best place to start and how to master the different rhythms? I'm sure it's just practice but maybe there's a trick to learning them easier
Try playing it at half speed to get the rhythms correct. There are 8 quavers in a bar, and for the more complicated bars try writing the beats of the bar in the right place so you don’t miss any beats.
Umm - how can there be 52 'likes' at 19:22 when the show hasn't yet started?? Methinks the term 'stuffing' applies here.. A shame 'cos I'm sure when Young Mr. Mc Veigh will ALWAYS get a deserved number of Likes anyway.....
The video has been online for around 24hrs, and I know that people are looking forward to the video. It’s not uncommon for a ‘placeholder’ video, whether it be a premiere or a live video, to get likes in advance 😊
@Marc DeBouw - your words are supremely ungenerous, unkind and harsh. No one is compelling you to listen to this music. Please show some willingness to concede that there MIGHT ACTUALLY be other people out there in the world, unlike yourself, who genuinely appreciate Herbert Howells' music, not least among them our resident artist, Richard. Why do you have to have it be 'Bach or Nothing'?
@@joscallinet6260 First of all...I am a Patreon of Richard's. I appreciate his musical expertise. But second...I am allowed to express my sentiments on the music. I am not criticizing Richard. And just because I don't appreciate this music doesn't mean I am being harsh. You need to settle down. I will not be cancel cultured by you or anyone else.
@@beautyinsound Richard...my comment seems to have taken on a life of its own. I was merely expressing that I cannot appreciate H Howell's music. It is certainly no reflection of your ability to play it...I could not play it even if I appreciated it. Your playing of JSB is akin to my favorite interpreter of his music...Helmut Walcha. I attend the VC every Sunday and cannot tell you how much my wife and I appreciate THAT...astounded really that you would be willing to play hymns for 2-3 hours. When I get to heaven perhaps the Lord will help me learn to appreciate Howell's music. See you tomorrow. Blessings to you and Caroline ... and cats.
@Marc DeBouw: Neither should you use your status as a "Patreon" to "buy" Richard out and shame him into not playing music you, yourself, happen to dislike. You're disgracing and abusing your privilege - using your moneyed influence to "lord it" over others. I can detect the acrid smell of your haughty arrogance from a mile away. YOU are the Lord of the Manor, and Richard is your serf, obliged to do your bidding - or else!
A marvellous tribute to some of the brilliant music of Herbert Howells. The fabulous Marcussen at Rotterdam has such amazing tonal resources that it was more than a match for the 'Englishness' of the harmonic writing of Howells. If Howells had ever needed a champion, well, he could not have had a finer one than in these performances by Richard. Absolutely stunning in every respect. BRAVO!
Pure joy and a lovely meditative journey of glorious sound beautifully played by a master of the instrument!
I agree with your assessment whole -heartedly!
This is just a tremendous concert, and I have loved Howells' music since first hearing a Hyperion disc, made at St. Paul's, London,
quite a few years ago. That might be my favorite organ in the whole world, but the Rotterdam instrument does a fine job also.
Congratulations on a superb concert!
It's nothing short of incredible how much effort you put into all of these performances. This is one of the best channels on youtube and few can even compare in terms of how much prep must go into so many recitals and other professional performances.
Master Tallis's Testament - probably one of my favourite pieces of organ music ever since hearing it played on the Milton organ of Tewkesbury abbey back in the 1970's! Absolutely stunning.
Beautiful and beautifully played. I love Howells and will do some further listening, thanks for bringing it to my attention
Thanks for listening
Maestro Mcveigh the Masters of the Pipe Organ ,have chosen you as their vessel.Thank You.
This is an absolute joy. I must have listened to this album over two dozen times now. I had mostly only known Howells from "Master Tallis's Testament", but you have opened my ears to his full genius. The Rotterdam organ sounds amazing. Well done!
Thank you so much Nick - that means a lot 😊
Wondrous music so sensitively performed. Cannot stop replaying!
Such a splendid program Richard!! Sharing from your spirit this magnificent music of Howells draws the soul into the soaring of the lines of music into the ether of the "music of the spheres." Bless you, Caroline and the baby to come. Thank you for what you do. DJ in Knoxville TN
This recording is such a gift. Such musical , thoughtful playing. I return to this repeatedly.
Thank you - appreciate that!
My journey into the wonderful world of organ music somehow bypassed Howells - but I am indeed very glad that I have been introduced to his wonderful universe in this thrilling and immersive way! Thank you, Richard, for such dedication, passion, and commitment to bringing this wonderful recording to life. As always, nothing short of excellence in audio-visual production; but the music... what a feast of harmony and emotion - your connection to Howells music is clear. I hope to learn some and will be returning to this recording as a valuable reference. Bravo!!!
So love when you play J.S.Bach and Eugene Gigout “Grand Choeur Dialogue” but so many thank you’s for introducing me to Herbert Howells. His music is superb.
Wonderful recital: many thanks.
Superb performance. My favorite is M T Testament. Remember recording James Lancelot, in a pitch black Durham Cathedral (loft light on only), while trying new microphones, back in the late 90's. Still play it back in 2021. Well done Richard
Thanks for all your hard work Richard!
This concert really is so wonderful!! I enjoy every note of it and the sound of the organ is very impressive and beautiful. It sounds so full-bodied and massive yet subtle at the same time. Thank you and carry on the good work!
Thank you André!
Bravo - I think I have only ever heard two or three of those pieces. In the autumn I discovered that the organist and choir master of my youth of over 50 years ago had passed away through COVID in the spring. He trained at the RSM and when practising a piece of Rheinburger heard heavy breathing behind. It was Howells who exclaimed, “I wish I wrote that!” In an hour I feel I have caught up with all the voluntaries I have missed before and after the evensongs that I have been unable to attend. You have transported me to another place and brought to memory a musician who introduced me to Howells and so much else. Many thanks. You must be exhilarated but exhausted after this!
Howells on a Dutch organ? "Would that work" I thought? Having listened, I am converted, an unequivocal "Yes it does work!". A superb Hauptwerk console you have there too. Thank you for the concert.
Stunning music masterfully played and registered.
The wonderful music, superb performance and quality of production have made this recording highly addictive.
The powerful organ played with such a huge level of confidence such as this, is 'simply the best.My own clever brother played many, which gave me the absolute need to hear them year in & year out.Super show.Thankyou Utube.
Sorry to be a Late arrival in joining this evening’s concert- Rgds to all from Cape Town
Beautiful pieces, beautifully played. Thank you!
Thank you for your channel and this introduction to Herbert Howell's music.
Superb! Perfect for a Sunday afternoon! Thank you!
Wonderful!
Superb!
Richard, this is a wonderful recital, great to see your enjoyment of playing these sumptuous pieces, it is most satisfying to hear some favourites, and some not so well known Howells. Your registrations are really well thought out. Thank you for all that you and Caroline have brought to us this past year.
COOL!
Fantastic
Such a pleasure to see and hear you play all this HH. I know you love him, but you don't play a lot on your channel. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!
And your transcription of the Pavane was MAGICAL!! Is the score for sale? I'd love to play it.
Waiting impatiently. Headphones and socks on. Cat on lap, ready on keyboard manual.
Aha - somebody else has noted the socks department!
@@henryharesdene4164 and Matt Leach: Sock it tu 'em, bros! LOL
I’m sorry I couldn’t join “live” on Saturday, so catching up now for my Howells fest! You know how eagerly I’ve awaited this since you first mentioned you were going to do it! Thank you!
I appreciate this music quite a lot. Please stick with Howells, JSB, and whatever other composer you wish to play 😁
Simply FANTASTIC.
Thanks Maurice!
Absolutely brilliant
Thank you Steve
The elegiac sarabande always tears me apart.
👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much for this recording, Richard. I fell instantly in love with Howells' music as a chorister in Oxford, and once I was learning organ, it became a major part of my repertoire as soon as it was within my abilities, particularly when I was playing daily services. I can still absolutely lose myself in it at the drop of a hat.
One question: I'm curious as to why you chose the (beautiful!) Rotterdam instrument for this recording, rather than an English cathedral instrument, which might have seemed more obvious. (The Rotterdam reeds and the brightness of the mixtures are spectacular, though, I freely admit!)
Thanks Panne. I chose Rotterdam simply because I wanted to bring a new and fresh interpretation to the music. We are so used to hearing Herbert’s music played on English organs, but hearing it on a wonderful Dutch organ brings different colours to the music and allows my audience to hear his music again for the ‘first’ time 😊
@@beautyinsound Thank you! I think you absolutely achieved that: the tone colours were wonderful. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and see whether my playing can be resurrected now that arthritis is under control -- I'm feeling quite inspired by all the wonderful recitals I've listened to over the last few months, notably yours, Ashley Grote at Norwich, and some wonderful Cavaillé-Coll instruments in France. (I wish those had been available 40 years ago when I started learning the romantic French repertoire! I understand so much more about the registration and colours now...)
@@beautyinsound .
Do you use a foot stop to change the pages on your score note pad? If so what software are you using?
How and where was this album recorded? The Laurenskerk Rotterdam (NL) isn't mentioned anywhere, but photos of the big Marcussen organ are to be seen. But it also looks as if Richard is playing in a drawing room, with all those paraphernalia around.
Which edition of Laurenskirk Rotterdam did you use? I want to achieve the same acoustics, but wonder if you use the full wet edition, or full dry edition with a custom reverb? It’s an extremely beautiful rendition of every single work, Richard. This gets me in tears. Beautiful. Great work!!
It's a wonderful performance and I always enjoy listening to it. Light shines through the gaps in the clouds, and many angels are likely to come down. It's a seasoned organ, but when did you make it? I'm sorry to ask you a question.
Any advice to someone starting on Master Tallis's testament?
What do you need to know?
@@beautyinsound best place to start and how to master the different rhythms? I'm sure it's just practice but maybe there's a trick to learning them easier
Try playing it at half speed to get the rhythms correct. There are 8 quavers in a bar, and for the more complicated bars try writing the beats of the bar in the right place so you don’t miss any beats.
Wonderful. Thank you and because I am greedy how about another album of Psalm preludes?
It would be pretty cool to see a video where you discuss the registration choices of some of the pieces you record. :)
If you click on the community tab of my channel and look at February's schedule, you'll find that exact video scheduled for 20th February - live!
Umm - how can there be 52 'likes' at 19:22 when the show hasn't yet started?? Methinks the term 'stuffing' applies here..
A shame 'cos I'm sure when Young Mr. Mc Veigh will ALWAYS get a deserved number of Likes anyway.....
The video has been online for around 24hrs, and I know that people are looking forward to the video. It’s not uncommon for a ‘placeholder’ video, whether it be a premiere or a live video, to get likes in advance 😊
I tend to agree that Richard’s “followers” will always “like” his performances - even in anticipation 👍🙏🏼
😍♥️😍♥️😍♥️😍♥️😍🇧🇷
I don't appreciate this music...back to JSB please
Marc - I will always play Bach, but I will also play music by other composers as well, especially by someone who means such much to me.
@Marc DeBouw - your words are supremely ungenerous, unkind and harsh. No one is compelling you to listen to this music. Please show some willingness to concede that there MIGHT ACTUALLY be other people out there in the world, unlike yourself, who genuinely appreciate Herbert Howells' music, not least among them our resident artist, Richard. Why do you have to have it be 'Bach or Nothing'?
@@joscallinet6260 First of all...I am a Patreon of Richard's. I appreciate his musical expertise. But second...I am allowed to express my sentiments on the music. I am not criticizing Richard. And just because I don't appreciate this music doesn't mean I am being harsh. You need to settle down. I will not be cancel cultured by you or anyone else.
@@beautyinsound Richard...my comment seems to have taken on a life of its own. I was merely expressing that I cannot appreciate H Howell's music. It is certainly no reflection of your ability to play it...I could not play it even if I appreciated it. Your playing of JSB is akin to my favorite interpreter of his music...Helmut Walcha. I attend the VC every Sunday and cannot tell you how much my wife and I appreciate THAT...astounded really that you would be willing to play hymns for 2-3 hours. When I get to heaven perhaps the Lord will help me learn to appreciate Howell's music. See you tomorrow. Blessings to you and Caroline ... and cats.
@Marc DeBouw: Neither should you use your status as a "Patreon" to "buy" Richard out and shame him into not playing music you, yourself, happen to dislike. You're disgracing and abusing your privilege - using your moneyed influence to "lord it" over others. I can detect the acrid smell of your haughty arrogance from a mile away. YOU are the Lord of the Manor, and Richard is your serf, obliged to do your bidding - or else!