How I learned Bach's Toccata and Fugue when I was 13 years old! - Gert van Hoef

[@evertvanderhik5774]

And it's funny that his beginners piece is one of the most complex ones.

[@ronsmith4328]

You have an incredible gift. You have also worked very hard. The world is in a great debt to you. I watch some of your KZbin videos almost every day. It is a great way to relax. Thank you so much.

[@ronsmith4328]

My wife has had Multiple Sclerosis for 25 years and now lives in a nursing home. She comes home in her electric wheelchair sometimes and she always asks to watch some of your KZbin organ music videos. She enjoys them very much. Thank you.

[@rojostu1]

Gert Van Hoef the hasselt version has five million views because it is the best version of this piece on you tube and quite possibly the best version recorded, and i mean most sincerely, the organ, the acoustics, you playing, your right hand men pulling the stops at the right time, it is quite simply the best out there, that is why it has five million views :))))

[@Soffity]

roger sturgess you are absolutely right, he doesn’t rush, he waits and listens and understands the music so well. Now we all know how he learned this piece, it’s obvious why he plays it so well and so eloquently..

[@annemackellar6293]

Here, here. I replay that recording at least once a week. Fabulous!

[@LucindaLamour]

I agree with you, Roger! It is quite simply the best out there, as you said. The music, the way he plays is, is sublime, and being able to watch his performance adds another layer of magic for us viewers. Love watching the stops action.

[@TerryP1922]

I was already impressed by your magnificent playing of the organ, but the ingenious way you thought of as a young boy to learn the notes of music and the pedals so you could play the Toccata is mindblowing. That took a lot of time and concentration and the beginnings of a budding maestro. I think you use the same colors today as cues for your registrants. I truly admire you and like everything you play. I hope you get many more viewers and subscribers because the organ is your heart and you play it that way all the time. May you continue to be richly blessed and I look forward to more videos. !!! Way to go Gert. 🤗

[@Fk67Lg]

I'd like to buy you a drink.

[@TerryP1922]

@@Fk67Lg thank you, that is very kind of you but I don't drink.

[@wtburns01]

@@TerryP1922 How about a nice chocolate milk? ;0)

[@TerryP1922]

@@wtburns01, how about a nice tall glass of sweet tea? 🤗

[@chrisiam2438]

♥️

[@richardrodgers758]

Gert ... I am an American teacher in Japan and I have always believed that children have the ability to move mountains if they choose. To do this they not only need the desire but they need to be surrounded by supporting adults. You obviously moved a mountain at the age of 13 and you obviously had wonderful parents that supported you. Someday, I hope to move a mountain like you. I congratulate you.

[@garywait3231]

Thanks immensely for taking us on your fabulous odyssey through your mastery of my favorite Bach tocatta and fugue. I am a relative newcomer to your channel, as an American church chorister and choral conductor, and have been searching out all your wonderful performance videos, and the very insightful interviews which you have posted, and thoroughly enjoyed and learned from them all. Many, many thanks for your wonderful performances and performance philosophy. Am looking forward eagerly to all your future posts. 👍👍😃😃 !!!

[@sb859]

What a pleasure to get to hear you break this down for us. Your 5 million view video is a Masterpiece, worthy of the music itself!

[@DB-jj5gx]

That was so heart-warming to hear about your journey with this wonderful Bach's piece! And it is not yet done, for sure. Your whole life, you will have secret or public rendez-vous with this piece, you two meeting again, and again, like how best old friends do. When your life will have highs, and lows, when you will get older, seeing family coming and leaving, the body getting weird, hairs turning grey. Then you will play it, or it will play through you. I would love to see that, how you will mature all this talent of yours, but chances are high I will not. But it doesn't matter, music is eternal, Bach will live for ever, as well as the one that plays his pieces. Thanks to give, even for a few minutes, relief and joy to the world.

[@jrzzrj]

👍...Absolutely astounding Gert....Thanks for such a personal video that takes us back to your early years of learning/playing.....Bravo......

[@Soffity]

Goodness me! That sounds so time consuming and complicated, I’m glad I learnt it using the music, that was hard enough, esp the fugue when the pedals and hands come in together. But what a wonderful piece.. thanks for the subtitles, love from rural Australia.

[@davidsmallwoodtherapist]

what a nice guy you are.

[@n4gix]

Thank you so very much for letting us share your journey from age 13 until today. I have watched all of your videos and have enjoyed them immensely, especially your "Best Version"... ;) I started formal organ lessons when I was 10 years old. I had grand dreams of becoming a concert organist. At the age of 25 an accident at work permanently crippled my middle, ring and little fingers on my right hand. A few days later I received an acceptance letter from Julliard where I had auditioned during the previous summer. Obviously the accident cost me my scholarship. Now many decades later I can still play, but not nearly as well I could at the time of my accident. Nonetheless, I still practice at least four hours every day! For many years I did play for a number of churches. Hymnody is so much simpler than Bach! In any case, I deeply enjoy listening to you play these magnificent organs!

[@mikekuwabara3975]

It is funny to know a child started learning organ on his own from visualization of movement of tones on the screen and trial and errors and that hard work paid off! I learned each organist's style of playing are different and it is my pleasure to listen to many pieces done by many organists including you. Thank you for posting many videos.

[@Felionine]

Thank you, Gert! This is a wonderful story showing how a musical master is reborn in our era. It's fitting that KZbin was the source of your inspiration and the mode of transmission for your musical offerings to people worldwide. We feel lucky to be alive to enjoy your profound creative talents. We love you!

[@james.flores]

So good to listen to this story, Gert. Every piece of repertoire we learn has a story behind it. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnwunderlich7491]

Thank you so much for this, it has answered a question I've had in my mind for many years. Namely how does one go from a two fingered Silent Night to the Toccata and Fugue in D. I think I discovered your Channel just about the time you did the Toccata and Fugue on the pipe organ. I too have seen those animated transcripts on KZbin, and enjoyed watching them. You however took it to the next step and beyond. Your true talent shown at an early age. You are a true blessing to all of us.🙏👏👏

[@JBridges1092]

It is SO impressive to look back and see how far one has come. With you, I am constantly impressed with your style of performance and your continued growth as a musician and an organist. Keep up the good work. You've got to be able to teach your son to play at some point! Hopefully he will want to learn to read music first and not learn to play by ear. Thanks for sharing!

[@AandCorganlovers]

Gert, thank you for sharing your story. I think all of us have that one landmark piece that propelled us in to pursuing music further. Easter is my favorite Sunday in the liturgical year. There is one hymn we sang which became my obsession and my first piece I learned to play as I was teaching myself to read music. That is what I needed to get started. To this day, I use that same hymn tune to introduce myself to any new organ I go to play.

[@pst3615]

Beste Gert, ik als oude rocker heb mij heel lang afgezet tegen het traditionele, zoals zovele van mijn generatie. Toch blijft de opvoeding kriebelen. Inmiddels heb ik veel geleerd, waaronder de waardering voor muziek. Ik volg jou al een aantal jaren en heb zelfs jou mogen ontmoeten. Nog steeds zoek ik en luister ik naar jouw verrichtingen en al is niet alles naar mijn smaak, jouw uitvoeringen raken elke keer weer een gevoelige snaar. Wat mij het meest bijblijft is het concert in Marrum, daar heb ik mijn vader mee naar toe genomen, hij was de grote inspirator om het orgel in de kerk te laten restaureren. Inmiddels is hij niet meer, maar dat concert is voor mij een hoogtepunt, ik heb mijn vader intens zien genieten, waarvoor dank. Ik hoop nog heel veel van jou te horen, je hebt grote schoenen om te vullen, waaronder die van Klaas Jan Mulder, de man die mijn liefde voor het orgel pas echt aangewakkerd heeft. Dank voor de muziek, onvergetelijk. Mvg, Pieter

[@adyward1]

Although I haven't followed your KZbin videos from the start it has been amazing to watch your progression over the years watching them. I can't imagine all the hours and effort you have put into mastering the Organ and the pieces you play. Playing any form of keyboard has for a long time been one of my dreams, but sadly I never had the stamina to dedicate so much of my life to achieving that so proficiently. Still, watching artists and musicians playing with such passion continues to amaze me and bring me and so many people happiness. The World would be a lesser place without people like you and the music you play. Thank you for sharing this Gert.

[@jeanlucas3963]

Tu es un musicien prodigieux, virtuose et symphatique. Merci Gert

[@julielaw7825]

Thank you so much for posting your wonderful videos. You are so gifted. I am so glad to have found you. I started playing the organ in my church at age 61. Never played it before. Only piano. I am not particularly gifted at all - but I love the challenge of the organ. I am now 72. I have had a wonderful teacher all these years so have progressed. I remember playing the Toccata and Fugue. I need to revisit it thanks to your inspiration. I’m working through Bach’s Little Organ Book. I love play Bach. I so thankful for your wonderful spirit and beautiful playing. I love that your wife helps you.

[@lesliegore8547]

Bach was a genius and you are too. Please keep those YTs coming.

[@Stevech1]

This is a wonderful and inspiring story. It reminded me of the time that J.S. Bach walked 250 miles so that he could hear Buxtehude play the organ! Only a musical genius could understand how the effort was worth the joy that music and bring. Wonderful!!!

[@maartenvandijk8478]

Gert, enorme waardering voor jou passie en doorzettingsvermogen.Een goed musicus (maar dat geldt natuurlijk voor veel beroepen)dient die eigenschappen te bezitten;vallen en opstaan en de ambitie om het te volbrengen.Daar komt bij dat je een adorabel mens bent.Dank voor je uitleg!

[@caseyflorida]

Thank you for sharing this story Gert--amazing what you accomplished. I have watched you develop over the years. You are an exceptionally talented organist and I love hearing you play and watching your videos.

[@BobMuk08]

passion, vision, determination...and look how they paid off... Destiny! A career, and now your own growing family. That is Blessing!

[@ianmacdonald1008]

Hi Gert, This is a superb video for all of us fans worldwide. Thank you for the sub titles in English. Your pure and intense method of learning to play the Toccata and Fugue by your own special method before you could read music at the tender age of 13 is quite an inspiration. It shows that you had a built in talent and determination to get there against all odds. That talent and determination has continued over the years as you progress to be one the world's greatest organists and improvisation champion. I am currently building my first DIY 2 keyboard hauptwerk organ because of the inspiration and help you have given me. I do not even play a keyboard yet but am determined to enjoy learning a new skill in my retirement years. I wonder how many of your subscribers have been introduced to the wonders of the king of instruments through your KZbin videos. You are a born teacher...….Why not make some more videos to teach and inspire a new generation of organists. You have the skills, the charm, the patience. Of course you have a family to take care of and time is precious. We can only hope...…..Thank you once again for sharing your joys with us...………… Have you thought of running a paid online course for beginners. It would have to be in ENGLISH for international coverage! This could be a good source of income!

[@williamleitzel1810]

Most young men 13 years old would not have the patience and power of concentration that you had. That is also one of my favorite Bach pieces. I have been following you several years now and have some of your DVD's that I play often. Your music makes my soul sing and I will be ever grateful to you for that. Best wishes and keep the music coming. Bill Leitzel

[@aviathor]

The fact that you invented a way to play the piece without even knowing how to read music shows me two things: your great intelligence and your great love for music, especially Bach's music. I congratulate you a lot and I admire you Gert.

[@pipe-usorganicus3700]

Hello Gert. This was beautiful. Thank you very much. Years ago, when I bought my first Synthesizer keyboard, my sister, who is a professional organist, and I were talking on the phone. She asked, "Is your Synthesizer turned on?" I said yes. She said play the highest A you have. I did. she said play a G next to it and A again. I did. Then I said, "Wow, you're going to teach me that?" She took me through enough of the Tocatta that she said it could entertain people who would hear it. It was enough for me. Now I am building my virtual organ with that synth, 2 other keyboards, my home built pedalboard, some microswitches for pistons, stops, and couplers and a wonderful program called jOrgan. i'm still learning to play and still building, but it is great fun and takes up most of my time. Thank you very much for sharing how you came to learn this piece! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Tom Anderson from Toronto

[@theseus27]

What an inspiration to anyone wanting to learn how to play a church organ. You really have true talent Gert, and I can see why you are so passionate in playing this amazing musical instrument. I can play the piano a little bit, but I'm not a professional pianist unfortunately. J.S.B is one of my favourite composers and I could listen to you play the organ every day. Thank you so much for making this video.

[@77ralphv]

Now I understand how you started playing and then take lessons to read notes. Starting at age 13 was the perfect time to start learning. Amazing.

[@Body67]

Thanks for this interesting story, you really desserve all this success

[@StankyLegChuChu]

Gert, I hear the glory of God in your performances! I can only imagine the happiness of the Craftsmen whose blood, sweat, and tears went into building the instruments you perform on! I found your Hasselt recording of Bach's Tocatta and Fugue and have been hooked on organ music since! Thanks for sharing your story!

[@SimonIngram]

Fascinating story how you learnt Bach's Toccatta and Fugue. The Knoll Organ video is likely very popular because it demonstrates a young man having a strong command of an outstanding piece of music. The genius of the composer and musician playing it, and the incredible sounds from the organ make the hair on my neck stand up. Also the guys helping are clearly enjoying the moment, all adds to a fantastic video. Johann would be so proud.

[@Hsubetakevol]

Al vanaf het begin volg ik jou. Uren, dagen, ....jaren plezier en ook troost heeft jouw spel gebracht. Heel erg bedankt. Helaas verslechtert mijn gehoor snel. Daardoor luister ik veel minder muziek dan ik zou willen. Ook jouw kanaal zoek ik minder op. Heel af en toe kijk ik nog even. Nu dan ineens dit hele mooie filmpje. Ook daarvoor dank. Veel succes voor jou en jouw familie. Dat wij nog lang van jou mogen horen.

[@tonydevroude130]

Thank you for sharing this, Gert. We all stand in admiration of your abilities, and this video gives us a background of the hard labors you had to undergo in order to become the master that you are. I can not help but wonder who was your most influential teacher ?

[@Boslandschap1]

Super leuk om te horen, ik kan me compleet voorstellen hoe je er destijds op je eigen manier mee aan de slag bent gegaan, met de middelen die je tot je beschikking had en die je zelf kon verzinnen. Los van hoe mooi het stuk op zich is, moet het een heel bijzonder stuk voor jou zijn. Bedankt voor het vertellen!

[@robertfletcher3421]

Gert that was very interesting. It sounds like your brain went into synesthesia, no wonder after 10 hours. I would love to know the story behind your improvisation of "Heer, U bent mijn leven de grond waarop ik sta". Its a beautiful hymn and you have made this a great work.

[@margotkreutzer-lauber501]

Dear Gert, when youtube recently presented me your organ playing in the Stephanuskerk, I felt at once, that there was a very young man playing this instrument with a passion, that can be seen in the movement of his body. I was so fascinated, that I subscribed your channel. And now I listened to your explanations, how you teached yourself playing organ- without knowing notes and I am really fascinated! thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[@jacobduursma5828]

Fantastisch! Ik krijg er tranen in de ogen van. Wat een mooi verhaal!

[@epincion]

Very moving and inspiring tale of how a young man with a brain fizzing with musicality set about learning to play a masterpiece. To me one of the greatest things you have done is to rescue the pipe organ from being a dying instrument mostly played by bearded old men and brought a new generation to love it. Thank you.

[@KameraShy]

There is never a "Best" version, only a "Better" version. Always growing and improving is the key.

[@MagicalPipes]

From the first Video I saw in 2012 posted . it too was performed on the Knoll Orgel I knew I needed to see and hear You in Person Then came Your Personal invitation to travel to NL. From this day I have called each Performance, Golden You are an inspiration to the Next Generation of Organists Bringing Pure Music to the Many.

[@StephenWalkerAhoy-Boats]

Bravo Gert. Such dedication and passion. I too love that performance on the Knoll organ. What singles it out for me is not just the organ and not just the playing of the notes. It is your empathy with the acoustics of the building. The reverberation time is very long and you allow the sound to echo around and to linger after each phrase before performing the next phrase. Brilliant!

[@gramps2matt]

WOW!! That animated video you discovered I love too. It's from Steven Malinowski aka Smalin. It's fantastic for exactly the reason you pointed out it shows in real time the note as it is being played and where on the scale it is. A great way to discover music and its spacial concepts. I'm not as impressed with the new style of images he's using however. They're a bit too involved with overrunning patterns. The original way will always be my favorites from him. Love your channel Gert. Do some more videos of your process in learning music.

[@stevenlester2606]

A fascinating history. That video with the 5 million views is what introduced me to your channel and I've been blessed by your offerings ever since. A question that might never be answered, but I'll try. During the 5-million-view video was the older gentleman filming at your right your proud Dad?

[@carlkruyswyk6245]

Yes - That is his Father.

[@stevenlester2606]

@william evans Only Gert would know for sure.

[@soniacarlson7975]

That was a huge project to take on, but so glad you did, or we wouldn't have all your wonderful videos!!!

[@rauldonoso9163]

Congratulations Master Van Hoef. I have followed his concerts for a long time. Now I have just seen and heard your work on digitizing the Toccata and Fuga BWV 565. It is undoubtedly an arduous job of adjusting the classical to the current technological. I hope you finished it in the hope of hearing something from him. Let me tell you that I have admired the simplicity of his nature, which is testimony to his true artistic talent and spiritual nobility. Receive my admiration and respect. Sincerely. Alejandro Donoso Rosso Santiago de Chile.

[@multiSamP23]

Wow, this is amazing to think that you actually wrote this out tone by tone. The level of patience and determination is remarkable. I'm not sure I could have managed that at 13yrs old. I suspect that this level of study is what has made you the superb organist you are today. Keep it up, I never tire of hearing your performances, it inspires me. Thanks to you I have just started playing some of Jan Zwarts pieces, really enjoying them.

[@erickkroll8320]

You must have a very high IQ to be able to map out this Toccata and Fugue all on your own and play from it before you could read music. Congratulations. Watching your videos have helped me play organ better. My favorite organ you have played on is the Knoll organ. I would like to see more recordings on the Knoll organ in the future. Thank you, Gert for sharing your talent with the world.

[@louisalarcon7921]

Gert, the first video I ever saw was that of you playing this piece at age 13. Since then I have followed you faithfully. I never tire of watching and listening to you play.

[@iamsobadme]

A beautiful interpretation, with lots of passion. Lots of people might think that Back is mathematical music, but I love to hear Toccata and Fugue played crazily with passion. Be the Mad Organist while you play! :-)

[@Soffity]

I hope you get as much pleasure from reading the reviews as we do watching your uploads. The first time I ever saw you, you were playing this wonderful piece and wearing sneakers, I said to a friend,,,,”,how on earth does he play wearing sneakers? “. From then on I’ve watched just about every video of yours and loved them all. So many people rush Bach because they can but you stroke and caress every note. Bach is smiling right now...no doubt. And has been since you were 13.

[@johansoderberg9579]

So interesting to hear this... Fantastic, Gert! What a training for your ear. And, I'm sure, for the original musicallity of yours we like so much. It must have been a great leap for it by just that time you told us about! Play with joy, don't forget to improvize as you did for example with "Jesu bliebet meine freude"!

[@micheldegroot5750]

Wat leuk om te zien hoe het begonnen is. Ook voor mij het eerste stuk wat mij in 1987 aan het orgel gekregen heeft, wel gelijk vanaf de partituur zelf leren spelen. Later les genomen in Den Haag. Waren leuke tijden! Nog veel plezier met spelen!

[@gracebailey4435]

And how our sons came into contact with this piece was through watching videos of you performing it!!!

[@zappedguy]

I have been a fan for some time now. Today I spent half the day watching many of your videos from your earliest to most recent, watching you grow along the way. I remember teaching myself the piano when I was a teen. I knew the notes on the treble clef but not on the bass. In those days a popular song on the radio was the theme from the movie Exodus. I liked it a lot and found the sheet music in the key of C. So I started with the treble clef. When I wanted to add the left hand, I had to count the keys down from middle C, then a couple more until I found the first chord. It took me a year to learn that song, but I learned to read the bass clef along the way. I love the pipe organ, the classics and your renditions of Pirates of the Caribbean and Conquest of Paradise are especially thrilling.

[@amangogna68]

This is my favorite and you are so amazing and fantastic. I could kick myself not continue with my music training later in my life. I started to play the piano at eight years old and was playing the organ at my church when I was much younger

[@suzannelebizarre5705]

Agaiin, Bach is a favorite...as well as Handel, Frescobaldi, Gabrielli, Albinoni, and Widor...'m one who was born singing harmony, and even now as an Octogenarian I "still sing in my head" I used to play starting with the piano, and then the pipe organ (plus guitar, uke, clarinet, sax, and more)...until my father movde us to a dirty stinking steel producing town (for work of course) and I just avoided everything there...got out as soon as possible...never looked back. Had sung with concert choirs on Television, and later also did "Barbership Harmony"....loving the interplay of harmony...still do...even tough my voice is now "gone" and of course I hate that part of what life does to the body...DRAT! I still sing along with various tune online...if only in my own head....sighs

[@Bentcypress]

I've been following since you first started posting on KZbin. I was impressed then and even much more so now. Plus now you have a beautiful wife and son. Keep up the great work Gert!

[@kurtdsauer]

Hi Gert, Thanks for this informative talk on how you first acquired skills to play the Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor. It is a piece which inspired me to learn it, at about the same age. What is so interesting about your story at that age, is that you took an interest in something that spoke to you, when most boys at that age may have chosen to rather sit at their computers playing video games. That was not an option for me growing up as I was 13 in 1963! Haha! A shoutout to the animator who set a vision to Bach's classic work in a way that caught your eye as well as your ear, on youtube. Did you know that Albert Schweitzer kept up his organ skills in a little African hut, while treating the natives, on a special pedal piano? His annotated published score is the one from which I learned to play the work. My interest came from hearing an E. Power Biggs vinyl recording of it in my father's collection. Anyway, I'm so glad that you shared this story of how you invented a way for you to learn the work which Bach created, that is still inspiring young boys to come and discover the power and majesty of music and the organ! Lead on, Gert, and thank you and your family for being here!

[@weldonschmidt]

Gert, Iv'e been following you for several years, and I haven't seen all of your videos, but I have watched a lot of them. This is the first time I've seen you really face the camera and address your audience. Even though I speak English and couldnt understand you, it instantly made you more human. You need to do more of these type of videos.

[@ChenUla]

Thank you so much to share the journey of a young organist, it's rare, you are so sincere and diligent even with your talent. I could see that toil alongside that passion. How admirable!

[@ilonamollema6467]

Wat een prachtig verhaal Gert! En wat een inzet (bijna maniakaal) om het hele stuk zo uit te schrijven, en zo in te studeren als jonge knul zonder enige kennis van muziek noten. Geweldig dat er nog wat van het originele stuk bewaard is gebleven! Prachtige herinnering aan je eerste orgel stuk. 🎹❤

[@ogilkes1]

Wow! You created your own musical notation at 13. Respect!

[@janetlindley4465]

Such determination and hard work Gert but oh my it has certainly has produced a brilliant organist. It is always a pleasure to watch you play and I am delighted you have so much on KZbin for us all to enjoy. How wonderful it would be to hear you at one of your concerts. 🙂🙂

[@peteviney958]

Thank you for sharing your story Gert. This is my favourite piece of organ music - you play it beautifully!

[@jimhill4725]

This is one of the most inspiring videos that I have ever seen: It tells me everything I ought to know, about the enthusiasm, determination, hard work and (I imagine at times) pain that must be endured in order to become a competent musician, let alone a virtuoso! Total dedication: that I could only ever dream about, when I wanted to play music like this. Thank you for working so hard in order to achieve the world class standard, that so many of us can now enjoy so much, just by following your wonderful KZbin Channel.

[@ZwartJaap1]

Leuk verhaal over de begin periode. Met bewondering en ontroering luister ik vaak naar je orgelspel.

[@whatsup403-w2j]

Great history of a piece! I love the progression of abilities and the story of a song with such resonance for you. Thanks for sharing!

[@VinnieSutra]

Thank you for sharing your journey from playing as a child to us today. I would love to see those earlier, childhood, videos. Having viewed a number of your video performances, I am thrilled to see you grow from a boy to a married man with child. God Bless.

[@cabinfever07]

Thank you Gert...I certainly am not a professional musician but am a lover of classical music, especially voice/choral music. I never could take to the organ as an instrument for listening...that is until now. A friend of mine who loves the organ, suggested that I'd listen to your playing. I can never thank him enough for making this suggestion. Listening to you play the organ (s) you've made the instrument come alive to me. The first day I spent three and a half hours listening and could not get enough of it. Since then I've listened to many more hours of your creativity, and as I said at the beginning, thank you. I'm now 81 years of age, (born in Hoensbroek, Limburg, and have lived in Canada since 1951 when my parents immigrated to Canada). I have one question...the young lady working the stops, is she your wife? She certainly appears to be excellent at what she does. You can now consider me a converted organ lover...thanks to your genius

[@GertvanHoeforganist]

Yes, that’s my lovely wife Marjolein

[@cabinfever07]

@@GertvanHoeforganist Thanks again. I just watched your 2017 concert in England where you announced your engagement and your marriage plans. Congratulations to both of you.

[@cabinfever07]

@@GertvanHoeforganist You are totally right...she is lovely and she has a great husband.

[@tonyprice1786]

All that early effort and enthusiasm certainly paid dividends; this has helped my understanding of Dutch too!

[@michaelroark3263]

Thanks so much for sharing the development of your beautiful gifts so honestly.

[@cybershadow58]

You are a *BRILLIANT* player of a *MOST BRILLIANT* Composer-- Bach! I am sure Virgil Fox is looking down upon your talented soul from wherever he is at! Thank you!

[@liaratsoni9768]

Ik heb datzelfde boek! Ben blij dat ik wel op jonge leeftijd noten heb leren lezen maakte het studeren stuk makkelijker. Petje af voor je inzet. Dit maakt me treurig dat ik ooit gestopt ben met spelen.

[@heesendr]

Gert, one of your biggest fans, my twin brother Mark Heesen, unfortunately died on January 25, after years of kidney and liver problems. He introduced you to me via KZbin. Thanks for the enjoyment you gave him and will give me from now on.

[@GertvanHoeforganist]

David Heesen I’m sorry to hear you have lost your twin brother Mark! I’m thankful that I could have shared my music with him and with you now. Gert

[@rivermite1966]

Sheer admiration of your craft; the hard work continues to pay off. I'd really like to thank you for reintroducing me to Hollins, your rendition of the trumpet tune makes my hair stand on end! Long may you continue and I hope to be able to hear you perform live at some stage.

[@xenon53827]

And that version you did on the Knoll-organ? That is still the best version in my opinion from anyone, anywhere. Perfect!

[@777captainron]

I’m really impressed at how you taught yourself. Very committed ....you are the best

[@tomhess5577]

Your talent continues amaze many of your listeners. I especially enjoy your Bach presentations. Thank you .

[@Tocsin-Bang]

Thank you Gert for this insight. The first of your videos I watched was your "Best Version..." Normally I don't watch videos described as "best", because they are usually anything but. In your case it was true and I'm glad I listened, now I watch everything you post! Thank you for years of enjoyment.

[@curtisdaniel9294]

Bravo, Gert! An excellent explanation of how you got to know my personal favorite piece of music. Ahhh, Bach!

[@alamargotbernard]

it's always a pleasure to hear you play the tocata when you were a young boy, thank you for this memory video

[@DavidSmith-bg2ck]

Id love to see you play it on the organ at ST Paul’s Cathedral London. If you ever do, let me know. David.

[@collincourtois8587]

Thank you so much for allowing us to partake in such beauty through your immense talent.

[@michaelhowarth4302]

Fabulous..what a journey! Thank you for posting this!

[@wonderfulasyou]

I also discovered the hit and run at 13 years old. At the time, I played the accordion, also performing classic pieces such as Intermezzo from Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. Then one day my father brought an album by Albert Schweitzer with the Toccata and Fuga. I remember I was magnetized by this music. I knew the musical notes, so I decided to buy the score and learn to play the organ. I went to a church near the house on Sunday after mass to practice. At home (I didn't have an organ) but I had a "pianola" that had the piano-keyboard and it generate sound of the organ-accordion-like because it had a fan inside. So I studied at home, and on Sunday I practiced on the organ. Unfortunately I did not go on to perform the whole Toccata e Fuga. But the people of the church who heard me to play the start of the Toccata sometimes applauded me (undeserved). With regard to your execution of this Work really dictated to the Author by the mind of God, I think that you are not necessarily more "bravo" than Albert Schweitzer, but you are very high spiritually when you play. And I think that's why you have more then 5 million views. Also because .. "music is the word of God" (Billy Preston).

[@GertvanHoeforganist]

Click this link to see the original video that taught me how to play the Toccata and Fugue! Thank you, Smalin! kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6Hdg2yYncqcldE

[@danieldelange5223]

GENIUS!!!!!

[@lh.luckyhanny]

u bent mijn nummer 1 fan ik wil ook wat gaan doen met orgel

[@mattiniinikangas7950]

Danke dafür! Es wird interessant sein zu hören und zu sehen, wie die Arbeit für eine unterhaltsame Aufführung geleistet wurde. Dies ist meine Einstellung, die ich Jahr für Jahr höre. Grüße aus Finnland! - Kiitos tästä! On kiinnostavaa kuulla ja nähdä, kuinka nautinnollisen esityksen eteen on tehty työtä. Tämä on mielikappaleitani, joita kuuntelen vuodesta toiseen. Terveiset myös Suomesta!

[@wernervandemeulebroucke4856]

You're a god at the organ, playing like the devil! This is so good, Gert, so incredibly good... Best interpretation I have ever heard. I think Bach would be very impressed if he heard such a young man play such a difficult piece. Well done, Gert!

[@jerrycallender7604]

I 'discovered' you a few years ago and have been following your career with great interest, and was so happy to see you with your new family... Even at your young age, I put your mastery of improvisation with the best - your brilliant work on the Fr. Willis Liverpool organ of 'Land of Hope and Glory' as evidence.

[@jackienoden2270]

The Hasselt version was the first time I saw a video of you. I was so impressed, Towards the end of the video you quickly smile at on of your friends; I had the feeling that you were rather like an athlete running the race of your life and at that point you knew you had achieved it. Thank you for your videos I often listen to you play both the great works and some of the fun works such as the Pirates of the Caribbean. I think the BBC ought broadcast a Prom of St Saen’s Organ Symphony and invite you as the organist. I think you might enjoy playing the Prince Albert Hall’s organ.

[@richthenative]

Thanks for the fun account of your evolution with Bach's seminal work.

[@Dutchhomepage]

You did what? That's a story to be told and you brought this great. I played this when I was nearly 16, so the way you did with this scheme at 13...how? Wow! Thank you for sharing and for fulfilling your dream. Still enjoy every bit of your musical journey! 😃

[@ksxx1961]

Gert, you are an amazing organist, and you are an inspiration to all of us who play musical instruments. You have the King of Instruments tamed. It's a great delight to watch you play. Thank you for many hours of enjoyment.

[@brigittewintzen5674]

Die farbigen Aufzeichnungen von der ersten Zeit des Orgelspiels sind faszinierend! Eine wahre Begeisterung des damals jungen Musikers!

[@richardwilliamjohnson8566]

Gert, I am so thankful you decided to upload your videos to KZbin. I don't remember exactly how I came across you, but it was through some of your videos that I became introduced to organ music, and now I love it! It is one of my favourite genres of music. God bless you and keep up the good work! Edit: just been thinking about it and two of the videos I REALLY enjoyed from you to begin with were the Dance Macabre and the Adagio from Widors 5th, both of which were played on the Knoll organ. You are right, it is totally fabulous. I've not heard anything like it anywhere else since, and that instrument had a very big part to play with getting me interested.

[@joszandstra2044]

That must have been quite an extensive job, studying the piece this way. It really is nice that you talk about it and explain how you started on this piece. Thanks for that