J.S. Bach Toccata, Adagio and Fugue

Clara Gerdes plays Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugue at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (Rieger Orgelbau III/59, 2005)
Recorded November 26, 2018
Many thanks to Edward Landin, Jeff Brillhart and Sharon Torello for their help with this project.

[@steveinman6712]

Bach would have been proud. By memory, no musical score. Tempos and registrations perfect.

[@gunnarbjorck929]

I am a big organlistener… and i dont think i have ever seen and heard such effordless and so well played piece of Bachs hard and difficult pieces…and without notes…brilliant miss!!!!!!🫵🤗🙏🙏🌷

[@mbettu1596]

A masterpiece magnificently performed, I particularly observed the way of moving hands, uncommon for organists, which makes the performance seem so easy and so fluid. Also the work on pedal is absolutely outstanding. You deserve three words only: bravo, bravo, bravo!!!

[@josephstubler4903]

BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE. I HOPE THAT THIS VERY TALENTED YOUNG LADY HAS A GREAT CAREER.

[@pierricweibel]

Une jeune organiste qui survole littéralement son instrument avec une fluidité exceptionnelle. Un vrai bonheur.

[@yvescarof1458]

Oui vraiment

[@michelborel4131]

Je ne me lasse pas de l'écouter

[@mk5244]

…ohne jede Effekthascherei, ganz dem Werk verpflichtet. Dem großen JSB und seinem Schöpfer zur Ehre. Mi piace moltissimo

[@valeriobuso2591]

F A N T A S T I C A, la musica salverà il mondo

[@ericboero]

Speriamo proprio!

[@grandmoller]

Oh boy, here we go! Another prodigy of absolutely incredible talent. J S Bach would be proud!

[@organboi]

Yep. They never cease.

[@johnboettger864]

ah...no good

[@FraserGartshore]

This has just become my favourite version of this. The fugue is particularly magnificent. Clever registrations, perfect tempo!

[@limitstoprogress]

It's amazing to see another young organist who has totally mastered this instrument! Super fine performance, thank you! This goes in to "Favorites"! (from Canada)

[@benedictcowell6547]

And such exciting performances, just splendid, and at the risk of being thought a male chauvinist I delight i seeing so many young women in a field where once men predominated, and the feminine brings something special to music, My father always said the women can do something men cannot, they can live in all four dimensions of cognition simultaneously.

[@richrich9278]

Merveilleuse interprétation, quel talent, quelle douceur, quelle beauté ..

[@lysliepope3967]

This is, in my opinion, a real recital. To slide onto the organ bench with just the clothes on your back and what you know in your heart and your fingers. The mind has very little to do with this recital. Hats off.

[@grandmoller]

Crazy...absolutely CRAZY! What a gift to the world of classical music.

[@DorothyDolenc]

I admire the mastery she has of the most marvellous of instruments. Thank you for sharing!

[@altrocanto]

Savoir faire passer la musicalité avant la "facilité" de la virtuosité, c'est un talent rare. Ça chante, ça respire, c'est magnifique !

[@TurtleFL]

I don't think I've ever heard it played that fast, and so cleanly.

[@SAMGREYCUP]

A huge talent with a pianistic background.

[@bertiebassett2488]

A wonderful performance, and one I could (and no doubt will) listen to many times over. I note that some of these comments go back as far as 4 years or so? Nevertheless, listening today, to a recital played with such profound empathy for the work, together with outstanding organ craftsmanship, was a pure delight. Furthermore, every single note in the manuscript was played from memory, too! Bravo to a truly outstanding talent. And then bravo again!

[@renaldo1]

You can use all the technical descriptions you like, but what I say is “ WOW!!!” Hear the difference between skilled and gifted, learned and blessed. !!!

[@michaelberg9656]

It's a shock at first to hear the Adagio played so fast, but it sounds just right very quickly. Lovely performance!

[@luisalfonsomartinez1074]

Sorry too much staccato, she is so ocupéid on show off than the fugue; Bach is muuuch more than that….

[@davidthompson3415]

This is my favorite piece. She plays it with absolute precision. Excellent 👍❤️

[@peterworrall1644]

Fabulous playing . A lovely piece and played with a nimble freshness. Very enjoyable, so thank you, Clara.

[@MCRRjim]

@MCRRjim All For Memory?? INCREDIBLE!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@JohnsOrganWorks]

I loved the style and clarity of this performance.

[@Chesterbarnes1]

No sheet music in front of her, her technigue is awesome, her peddaling is superb, her fingering indicates she knows this music well, who is this brilliant young lady. She plays this large pipe ORGAN< and she commands it.

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Fels like you have Done this forever! Totally effortless! Very calm an pleasent! 😊🤗

[@KravchenkoAudioPerth]

40 years ago I first heard this piece by Bach. I have had over a dozen fulls sets of his organ music and a bout 30 versions of BWV 564. I loved your attention to the lines of thought within the music. Your registrations that were attentive to the pace of your performance and still full of vitality and life. Manual changes and presets were thoughtfully used. Not often I hear this with such a degree of thorough contemplation. Played from memory. The best way ! I'll be following you for sure. Thank you for making and sharing this video Clara! Mark

[@timreisel4858]

Like a multi-faceted diamond, this is beautiful and lovely in so many ways. Notice it was played from memory. May this artist enjoy a happy personal and professional life.

[@organboi]

Could we NOT notice?

[@roberthunt1540]

Breathtaking! Love the pace of the Fugue.

[@robertk6ha]

Every good artist makes the music their own and she did wonderfully and made it look easy at the right tempo different yet wonderful. Bach was a musical genius and I think he would be proud.

[@alnorman6846]

This organ is exceptional, clarity, reverb, Brightness, scale , installation are perfect , copy this. and may i say Clara is amongst the best

[@michaelhewitt258]

Beautiful pedal work Very enjoyable to watch

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Ouiii!!!! When i smell Bach…i always listen to the end! I love it!!!! And you my lady.. play really good!! Thank you!🤗🙏

[@benedictcowell6547]

Prodigious is the word for 'My lady'. My three favourite versions of this are all by young women, I think it must be in the Psyche, , These are exciting times with young women organists where and when it used to be almost male preserve . It is a golden age for music with performers and orchestras from all over the world which have such diverse membership.

[@tnsnamesoralong]

0:01 Toccata 5:39 Adagio 9:25 Fuga

[@sawdoctor0]

The Adagio is absolutely perfect in every way. This and the slow movement in Franck's Grand Piece Symphonique reduce me to tears.......of pure happiness.

[@АнтонинаХоменко-у9ц]

Молодчина девочка,играеш с правильной скоростью и с паузами..!! Александр Одессит

[@rs8197-dms]

The fugue is simply beautiful. What a pleasure to hear. Very well rendered. Bravo

[@LassonDavid]

This is a thrilling performance by Ms. Gerdes of one of my favorite Bach organ works. The piece was first brought to my attention by the director Ermanno Olmi, who used the adagio movement in his masterpiece "The Tree of Wooden Clogs" (1978).

[@jean-marcmontoya3471]

Du grand art. Une grande artiste jouant avec délicatesse.Merci pour ces 13 minutes de bonheur

[@gyulaerdei3180]

Ügyes kislány ... ❤ - néha, mintha kicsit "hadarna" Ezzel együtt , meghajlok előtte ! ..... 😊

[@markford2988]

Wow, that was really special. Hard work and talent combined, to produce a wonderful musical experience. Fantastic!

[@alveolus2854]

Played with such grace and tenderness! Thank you for sharing and inspiring. Tears of joy....

[@davidthompson3415]

I keep coming back to this video because how impressed i am with how accurate it is played. Obviously this piece was practiced and perfected with much love ove😅r a long time ❤️👍

[@Berta6742]

Clara gives wonderful transitional balance throughout the fuge - those 32 ' bombast are awesomely awakening thank you Clara

[@linddaipauls3584]

I like the "rubato" in the pedal cadenza. She plays Bach just slow enough for the listeners can enjoy and marvel a this man's genius.

[@MortenNilsen-i2g]

Footwork so smooth, graceful and fast deserves an Olympic gold medal. The rest of the performance was equally good. Bravo❣ 😎😎 {Certified Old Curmudgeon}

[@gunnarbjorck929]

..yes..i am listening again…your hands are like angel-wings…so smooth and gentle..absolutley wonderful!!!🤗👍

[@gerryfjellberg6030]

No words, except fantastic, by Bach and by Ckara!

[@johnrborges2363]

While studying late, early morning [2 am], I discovered Clara Gerdes. I subscribed to hear more. JB 🧑🏻

[@camilloflaim159]

Clara, very great your Number of compositions for your Concerts. BRAVO!!!!! I have been on Rome city like organist for one Basilica near Colosseum, for 13 years.

[@dandenham6916]

Clear, concise and wonderful. Best playing of Bach's Toccata, Adagio and Fugues I've heard.

[@patricekieffer6926]

La 564 est mon œuvre pour orgue préférée de Bach et je l'ai entendue maintes fois. Mais quel bonheur que l'interprétation de Clara Gerdes, quelle grâce, quelle justesse dans le jeu. Grandiose ! Clara, You have to come to Strasbourg in France for playing on the Silbermann organ in the cathedral or in the St Thomas church!

[@jerryj1411]

Tremendous. Clarity, precision and a wonderful sense of musical flow. I really enjoyed that. Many thanks.

[@arturonarro3117]

aww... love at first sound!

[@VipiModel-nk3ce]

Love this Organist😍

[@lloydzurn8763]

Wonderful, fresh and clear registration ! Precise and nuanced. Love to watch you make music. Your appearance is simultaneously effortless and absolutely commanding. Hoping to hear you in Richmond, VA.

[@user-leoinmaine]

What a total delight. I first heard this piece 40 years ago performed by E Power Biggs. This performance clearly rivaled that one. Thank you!

[@rwhb1]

All without the music, what an achievement! Well done!

[@patrickbeeson8038]

Brava! My favorite fugue and you played it wonderfully!

[@contrabombarde3210]

Hi Clara, you are my favourite. Fantastic playing, I love Bach.

[@richardmartin8443]

Magnificent! I love it!

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Your hands are dancing so smoothley at the keys like a surfer that found the perfect wave..😊🙏 You look so relaxed and ..conforteble..sorry for my bad english..😊 Thank you miss! I love Bach! And you play it exeptionelly good! Thank you!🌷🙏

[@jerrybutler8917]

WONDERFUL, SIMPLY WONDERFUL !

[@marcinbrys2526]

Very well played! Especially I liked the fugue, which in itself is magnificent, but your playing made it sound even more beautiful and majestically. Very good choice of registrations and this organ sounds wonderful - no wonder, this is simply Rieger! Here in Poland, particularly in Silesia, we have some well-sounding Rieger instruments too. My favourite instrument from this builder is the organ in the Holy Cross cathedral in Opole (German: Oppeln).

[@winfriedbanzhaf1067]

Brava!

[@jean-paulyvetot1783]

Magnifique, et sans partition, chapeau bas !

[@engelbertoaguilarmacias1909]

Excelente

[@MitchBoucherComposer]

I'm very impressed by your performance! Keep up the great work; you've got a bright future ahead of you!

[@moisesnunez7370]

Gran dominio..es una pieza maestra.interpretada por otra maestra....

[@robertvarner9519]

I like your rendition! You are a very talented musician. You will have a successful career no doubt.

[@EndreBelaDrHuff]

Virtuóz előadás. Gyönyörű a regiszterek használata.

[@pillolo51]

Bravissima, ottima interpretazione, bellissimo l'adagio per il quale avrei usato un ancia dolce per il canto, comunque complimenti 👍👍👍

[@attiliodalcavaliere999]

🇮🇹👏👍🌹🌟 Composizione per me eccelsa , potente, dove viene messo in luce le qualità ed il potenziale appunto dell'organo. Eccellente esecuzione, mi complimento con la organista, davvero di livello. Grazie!!

[@ไทยไทย-ธ4ธ]

Usually I don't care for magic......but I really love this somehow.

[@attiliodalcavaliere999]

🇮🇹🌹🌟 Volevo solo aggiungere, questa si chiama arte. Ecco che cos'è l'arte!!

[@twood3270]

The Fugue was excellent! Great tempo

[@mccezar214]

Parabéns você e um anjo tocando órgão você escolheu o instrumento que os querubins tocam parabéns

[@loujan2945]

La beauté faisant chanter la beauté!

[@knollozx]

WOW!!! So unglaublich flüssig gespielt. Wirklich Klasse...

[@bernardcromarty485]

Beautifully played. My favourite Bach piece... interesting registration, brings out those Cavaille Coll reeds well! Slightly faster than I'm used to, but it works! Very clear articulation, eat your heart out, Diane Bish - she's looking for your crown!

[@bernardcromarty485]

Never mind Diane Bish, she's more in Cameron Carpenter's class!

[@JESUSNavascues-ls8xz]

Magnífica, perfecta interpretación de esta obra de Bach, de las difíciles junto con Fantasía y Fuga en do menor. Soltura y pericia totales de la organista en la manipulación de los registros, el teclado y la utilización magistral del pedalier y la expresión. Clara, soberbia y magistral organista.

[@mdt2688]

Davvero complimenti per la magistrale esecuzione!🌹sarebbe una fortuna anche solo essere alle tue spalle..

[@ВладимирОкоренко]

Супер органистка мира королева сердец ! ! !😎😀🙂😋

[@jsb0321]

Beautiful! Thank you!

[@GerardRatigan]

Magnifique ! J'admire vraiment.

[@photo3642u]

I keep coming back to your brilliant performance of this piece. How on earth you manage to co-ordinate both hands & feet is beyond my comprehension. I think you would make a very good helicopter pilot, should the need arise!

[@Mikky570]

Užasná Hra....Nadherná žena...Není nic většího....*

[@303margie]

Wow her feet dance over the pedals. Wonderful performance

[@AubryEric-h9e]

Very Nice...

[@jmdujardin]

bien agréable moment de musique passé avec et grâce à vous, Clara, à écouter le grand JS Bach. Registration bien choisie, prise de son impeccable pour transmettre les sonorités de cet orgue et de ce lieu, merci à vous, et bonne poursuite à vous !

[@davidreneau8212]

played by ear..amazing organist

[@adalbertogomesdossantos4545]

Ótima performance! Execução perfeita e com muita nitidez!Boa escolha de timbres de acordo com as partes e frases! Parabéns!

[@gunnarbjorck929]

Aaah soo Smooth and strait from mind!!🤗🤗👍

[@jorarmx9214]

Para ella es como un simple juego ¡Qué facilidad y dominio del rey de los instrumentos!

[@claudiogomez2945]

Profunda y hermosa forma de tocar!!

[@manuelrys4614]

Genial. Simplemente, genial

[@nakorganist]

Wunderschön :-)

[@lerkkweed]

Absolutely glorious. Thank you.

[@Longwing70]

Wow!

[@juracpms7960]

Wonderfull interpretation, Clara! Hi from Zagreb, Croatia.