Rafael Ferreyra plays Elgar´s "Nimrod" at Washington Nat. Cath.

Rafael Ferreyra plays the Ernest Skinner Organ at Washington National Cathedral

[@kontrahylian]

Now this is Elgar at his finest, I wish elgar wrote his Nimrod originally for organ, because it gains another sense of musical bliss one that is calm and serene.

[@johnthomson2164]

Magnificent

[@mothmagic1]

I think you'll find it was originally written for the organ. He was an organist and choirmaster at the time so it's highly likely. That is how I first heard it played

[@dreadnaught90]

This piece of music is played so incredibly well it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for recording it on this organ and in this magnificent cathedral.There are no adjectives left to justify your performance. I would have loved to have heard you playing it in person. I finally was able to visit the Washington National Cathedral a couple of months ago on a trip down from Canada. When I left I was amazed at how such a marvelous house of prayer could ever have been created . To me, it is the Episcopal Church's greatest legacy. I hope it stands for a thousand years.

[@oledocfarmer]

I hope it will eventually make a wonderful Catholic cathedral.....which it would have been anyway were it not for an accident of history: the syphilitic Henry VIII

[@markhall7646]

This work makes me pause and remember "Be still, and know I am God", and I obey.

[@Bailey2006a]

This is gorgeous playing. He brings out the inner melodic lines perfectly and clearly.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you very much!

[@markhall7646]

This is how Adagio should be played. It has breath and majesty. Thank you for sharing this.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks Sir.-

[@wilfriedwang1843]

Very convincing rendition, dignified in its pace and coloration, even the difficult technical task of ending with a pianissimo on an organ. No question that the organ is the better of the keyboard instruments than the piano for this piece.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks sir !

[@wilfriedwang1843]

You are welcome. What frame of mind brings you to listen to this music on New Year's Day? I can recommend one of the best orchestral interpretations of the Enigma Variations, particularly Nimrod at 12:57", performed by the ST. Olav's Orchestra under the conductor Steven Amundsen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpmlkJmuqdJ0iJo @@stylusfantasticus

[@kitstr]

This performance is surely one of the finest of the many organ performances on YT.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks a lot Linus.

[@GaryGP40]

Absolutely fantastic. My "mother" church of the ECNA!!!

[@AquaIgnis2012]

This piece of Music...is for all my comrades who paid the ultimate price for a better world....It makes me humble and it represent all that is beautiful and worth fighting for here In life...thanks to E. Edgar for creating this.

[@stephenulmer5314]

Glorious. Absolutely glorious!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks !!!

[@sapphire6722]

Stunningly beautiful! I love that piece so much, always brings me to tears!

[@stylusfantasticus]

+sapphire6722 Thanks Sapphire !

[@chunkychunks857]

I would imagine it brings tears to many eyes, including glass ones.

[@clippedlad]

Of all the Music composed by Sir Edward Elgar this, in my opinion has to be the best! An excellent rendition and very accurately timed & played. By far the best I have ever heard!

[@mftech1607]

The organists emotion and expression is stunning on this beautiful organ. His registrations and timing are perfect in my opinion. It tugs at you! Thanks for this. Best on KZbin in my opinion of this piece.

[@stylusfantasticus]

You have been extremely kind with your comment. Thank you very much sir .-

[@BryanSlettenrealtor]

This is my favorite recording yet! I love how lush and tender this was. It was truly played con spirito! Well done, sir! :)

[@GamerTechGaming]

I was at this cathedral for a school trip a few years ago. If I heard this played back then, I probably would have cried😂

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you!

[@thimblerig]

This must be one of the best I have heard!

[@sifridbassoon]

The performance was awe-inspiring but the building acoustics are amazing.

[@Mark_Dyer1]

As a cathedral-loving Anglo-Scot, I consider Washington's Episcopalian Cathedral to be one of the glories of the United States. Thank you for these superb photographs of this wonderful building. The organ music was perfect, too.

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Mark Dyer: i truly appreciate your comment - Thanks!

[@stylusfantasticus]

@@ulyssessquitieri9931 it´s a personal one .- Thanks for your comment !

[@stylusfantasticus]

​@@ulyssessquitieri9931 are you the "Junior at Wilton High School, lifetime pianist, proud Democrat" ? I could send it by Messenger.

[@stylusfantasticus]

@@ulyssessquitieri9931 will be sent via msn soon.

[@stylusfantasticus]

@@ulyssessquitieri9931 check fb please.-

[@mikemount4411]

Wonderful organist and organ combination.

[@cgh98005]

What a splendid performance of this fine piece! Thank you!!

[@tommccaffrey7919]

When I saw the time taken at over 6 mins. my first thought was 'Well, when God made time, he made plenty of it'. It is an acceptable time at approaching the 4 mins. I played it at about that time, only because I was completely overcome by the tune. This is MAGNIFICO. What a beautiful smooth line on the pedals, and like heepitfull wrote a seamless use of stops. The whole performance is so beautiful. As we say in Ireland, "Go raibh mile maith agat stylusfantasticus" (a thousand thanks to you stylusfantasticus) for this great piece.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks a lot Tom and God bless your beautiful "emerald island" !

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks! You have made my day today. All the best!

[@Artemissa1965]

Clearly, you play from the heart!

[@benchkey]

STUNNING!!! I've never been a fan of mixtures, but these were like a wonderful frosting on a cake, just perfect.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you ! And I´m very glad that now you are starting in love with the organ mixtures.

[@mannfan12]

Aeolian Skinner organs are the Roll Royce of organs. There is no stop on one that isn't beautiful.

[@Barefoot12]

Well I appreciate every interpretation. This is great!;

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you!

[@carlooro7406]

No words, just tears! Thankyou for this video

[@gregorymacdonald2481]

As a member of The Navy Band, Washington DC I had many opportunities to play in the National Cathedral and to play our National Anthem. While doing a concert for the Czechosvakian Embassy I had the opportunity to sit under those magnificent pipes as it was playing our National Anthem. It was so moving that I couldn't speak afterward.

[@Tagstarum]

Sir, I have heard your recording of this sound track so many times in the past 2 years. It is full of grace and really a gift from god. I was once thinking: the architect of the church, the composer, and the organist have come from different spaces of time and performed this marvellous piece together. I am very lucky to hear it. Thank you!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Dear Tao: Your words have made my day. Thanks a lot !

[@shalicgraw5280]

Remarkable! Wonderful pacing. Grand as it should be.

[@gerardbedecarter]

Beautiful playing!

[@georgefieldsjr.640]

Beautiful !

[@stylusfantasticus]

+George FIELD Thank you!

[@jempulig]

It's like the heaven opened up in its magnificence. I'm just in pure awe, extremely spellbounded from start to finish. Thanks to you, the most grandeur version was created & never to be forgotten hopefully...

[@stylusfantasticus]

Now is one minute before midnight and hou have made my day! Thanks!

[@dieseldog00]

The best organ rendition of this emotional piece of music I have ever heard. My only regret is not seeing the organist at the keyboards. BTW how does anyone down vote this incredible masterpiece of organ mastery??? I don't understand it.

[@kross9130]

Well, for one thing the organ's not exactly in tune. Not say Ferreyra could do anything about it (it would take several maintenance techs - yes, I know they're called curators - several weeks to tune all 189 ranks) and his performance was quite good, but that could be a reason. I certainly won't be #9 to down-vote it.

[@tedphillips2501]

He doesn't "bring the organ down" as well as others. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn6vioWKlK5jeNE

[@richardmasters5194]

Because he plays it too slow and the rubato is too obvious.

[@adagio2915]

The most beautiful performance of this piece i've ever heard! Perfect tempo. Totally Awesome! Fantastic video too. To hear this is reason enough to go on living. Thank you so much for this magnificent gift!

[@stylusfantasticus]

+ADAGIO To mysterious Adagio: Thanks

[@markhall7646]

I consider this performance as definitive. It is the best interpretation of Nimrod I ever heard. If Virgil Fox ever performed Nimrod I would have to take this performance over any organ Virgil ever performed on, and his performance. There is no comparison. Even God cries at this.

[@Mikmarfro]

Very nice. This piece was used on the opening of the memorial concert in Oslo, Norway, after the terror attack 2011. This piece is calm and performed very well!

[@Bruce-1956]

This is used in Commonwealth countries around Armistice Day.

[@josemartinezgazquez900]

Robert the Br

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks !

[@mikedc2020]

One of my favorite transcriptions for organ and played on one of my favorite organs. (and even uploaded on my birthday). What a wonderful gift.

[@hughcreighton9384]

thank you !!! This is beautiful and has soul

[@oucutie1]

Yes. This rendition is what I grew up with and the videographer complimented Elgar, soloist and cathedral perfectly!

[@IloveAmadeusMozart]

Such a Masterpiece! Really touching, thank you so much for sharing!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks Sir !!

[@JustVern]

I absolutely loved the orchestration that you used here. Other versions were so harsh and imbalanced. This is near perfection on an organ.

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Vernon Dodo Thanks a lot Vernon, you made my day today !

[@MrOssjason]

I’ve never been to the cathedral…man do I wish I could. For the organ alone.

[@linddaipauls3584]

From the first notes played by this very talented musician, one knows that this is The 210 Rank Aeolian Skinner Pipe Organ of Washington National Cathedral. The "principal chorus " is very warm and unique.

[@heepitfull]

I have heard this in several quite large buildings on large organs, but this is the quintessential recording. Other renditions become abrupt when the organ builds. This is a seamless with subtle additions of stops. Excellent use of reeds without blare, and the pedal around 5:15 is perfect. It could actually be felt on my smaller computer speakers (It has been over a decade since I was last in the cathedral, and I don't remember that effect, but that could have been the organist then.)

[@stylusfantasticus]

Your kind comment made my day. Thanks a lot by your words!

[@davidcallahan2832]

Agreed: lovely terracing of stops throughout the long build up as well as the swift diminuendo at the close.

[@estevaoerestevao]

Yes!!! That pedal at 5:16!!! I rear it in the loudest volume possible. It's like I can fell it from inside of me. Always when I rear this rendition and it gets to the 5:14 to 5:19 part, I keep returning 10 seconds to rear it again and again. Is it another stop he releases or is it just another note? Could someone clarify to me? Because or really sound like he is adding sound there. Mr. Rafael's version is the only one in which I heard that part played like that.

[@christinewundrow9072]

In memoriam: my mom, my sister in law, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

[@stylusfantasticus]

thank you so much !.....

[@kasha1932]

OUT OF THIS WORLD ...WONDERFUL!!!!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you !!

[@kasha1932]

My great pleasure indeed!

[@kiwibirbnico]

First time I heard it brought to tears. wow! has that effect on me. just does.... I don't know why. It's beautiful! ever have that? I do

[@stylusfantasticus]

Most thankful !

[@mrmaniac3]

4 manual 189 rank. That's a pretty big organ. Very calming, I love this piece. it is very smooth. Very elegant.

[@robertwhite952]

Americans have big organs.

[@edmondbeatty9309]

An organ orchestra full rendition of the “Enigma variations” ,wonderful

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thjanks a lot!

[@paulpetersen3764]

Very nice introspective tempo. Fits the music perfectly.

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Paul Petersen Thank you !

[@aleksanderjanszopa1785]

Beautiful.

[@MrDaiseymay]

Majestic

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks!!

[@Dagdaletwo]

Beautifully paced, and delivered with correct base sound

[@kyrvhy]

I agree with heepitfull. This is the absolute best interpretation & registration ever. Smooth progressions working so well, so musical and not a hint of pretense. And a Tempo that allows the nuances of the music to emerge into a marvelous conclusion. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recording with us.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Your comment is a balm for my spirit. Thanks !

[@kyrvhy]

@@stylusfantasticus May it sooth and calm you.

[@lesliepolk2039]

The Pedal Division is unique in all the world.

[@keithmansell206]

Fantastic organ well played Keith mansell

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you!

[@rizalchoir9636]

Reminds me of an angel to watch over me when I was born.....

[@stylusfantasticus]

So tender your comment...thanks!

[@douglasnorth4703]

I liked the speed, I liked the adjusted ending . Really nicely done. Would be a marvel to hear your redition on the Atlantic City Con Center organ.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thank you very much!

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

You are to be commended for the sensitivity of the video accompanying this performance. So often on KZbin one must look away from over-busy editing full of cuts, panning and zooming. The video here well suits the performance! Thank you!

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Lawrence Keesler I really appreciate your kind reflection ....my thinking upon these kind of matters is the same...Thanks!

[@lawrencekeesler7369]

I am happy to have discovered these excellent performances!

[@jeffgreen8094]

Being an organist myself, I prefer this recording over any others I have heard; I used to play the tuba in the band when I was younger, so I really liked it when the 32' pedal came on, making this the best recording ever, in my opinion.

[@stylusfantasticus]

You are very kind judge, Sir. Thanks.-

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks!

[@estevaoerestevao]

Hi Rafael, my name is also Rafael, and I'm from Brasil. :-D The first time I heard your version I had mixed feelings about it, perhaps because I was used to Diane Bish's version, which I love. But after hearing your rendition I Fellini in love with it and listened many times now. So beautiful and smooth sound yet powerful at the same time. I wish I could be there when you played it to rear those 32" better. Congrats from a young organ lover!

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Rafael Braga Thanks a lot Rafael for you kind comment about my performance !!

[@organbuilder272]

+Rafael Braga Don't set your standards by Bish. There are other organists who are far better and can perform much more music. She likes to copy, she is not an innovator. May your career be successful. Practice makes perfect. Memorize your music and then play it from the heart. Play all music with feeling. It is not just little marks on paper. Good luck to you. We are waiting tohear your interpretation of great music.

[@dieseldog00]

+stylusfantasticus I don't normally make disparaging comments about a musician's playing to another who plays the same instrument, but you make Bish sound like an amateur. But maybe it was the organ itself that was at fault. I wonder how she would sound playing this one?

[@dieseldog00]

+Everett Cox BTW I am 72 years old but still have much of my hearing intact. I sang bass in my school choir and played tuba in the band so low frequencies are my favorite sounds. The low octaves and harmonies you played just thrilled me to my very bones. And the smoothness Mein Gott what incredible smoothness as you transitioned from one chord to the next!! Don't listen to Daddyclive your tempo was exactly right!!

[@markhall7646]

Diane Bish has reduced this lovely work to a mere old chestnut. She is truly the "Porter Wagoner" of organists- minimally talented and gaudily dressed. I don't consider her as much an artist as I do as a hack.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Gracias Mati-una alegría!

[@Aeoline]

Beautiful ! Quite an achievement to play such a work on the organ with such sensitivity.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks for your comment !

[@charliedeveuve5677]

Just a great piece of music and really nicely done here's to you

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks , Sir !

[@charliedeveuve5677]

Your wrlcome

[@charliedeveuve5677]

Do you do any other music

[@jamietuttle1818]

Man, that must be a tough piece to play! Registration, acoustical consideration, etc. Former Horn player, used to love its involved parts.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks sir !!

[@gabrielpizzi2303]

Hermoso!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Organs are still waiting for you!

[@a55b47]

Listen to those wonderful Skinner strings !!!!

[@mrstevebournias]

heaven on earth

[@stylusfantasticus]

+steve bournias Thanks Sir!

[@norman5313]

Hi Rafael! This is your former student Norman! What an exquisite, sensitive rendition of Nimrod! Breathtaking and moving - thank you!I am playing it on October 4 at my recital. Hope to hear from you!

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Norman Mcfarlane Great to hear from you !!! I remember always our meetings for making music at your church. Please let me know if you still have the same e mail address. Please do it via private message in youtube. A hug !

[@stylusfantasticus]

lamentablemente, no vivo más en los US....gracias por su mensaje!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks you for your beautifull comment!

[@arthurjdale8684]

Great organist...

[@stylusfantasticus]

+Arthur Dale Thanks Sir.-

[@cornwall59]

+Arthur Dale I agree with you,a fantastic sound,those Strings,wow !

[@organbuilder272]

+stylusfantasticus This is played with such feeling, passion, how nicely registered. Perfect..

[@stylusfantasticus]

+robert shaw Thank you Mr. Shaw for your words.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Merci beaucoup ! - trés gentile.

[@JasonMasters]

The only comment I can find that fits my feelings right now is: Wow!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks a lot for your kind comment. I keep wonderful memories from that "unique" instrument....

[@stylusfantasticus]

Takk for dine varme kommentarer !!!

[@stylusfantasticus]

@SacredMusician Hi! thanks for your interest and also for your comment. Concerning your question : I worked over an arrangment made by W.H.Harris ( Ed. Novello & Company, Limited, 1932) for the organ. I hope this will help.

[@thimblerig]

This must be one of the best I have heard! ( dont think I will hear the like of this again!)

[@rikuurufu5534]

The hearing loss is worth it.

[@francomulet8897]

Ça m'a profondement touché. En écoutant, je suis en larmes. Soit être inspiré.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks for your understanding....regards!

[@HobbyOrganist]

I always love that part at 3:00 and 4:10 and 5:27 in this recording that repeats a couple of times!

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks! I have been crtitiziced a lot for that, but i like also....

[@brailateo]

Sounds great! Very nice, congratulations! I would like to include this masterpiece in one of our next "Mozart ROCKS" concerts in Romania. The scores for your arrangement would be available? Thanks in advance!

[@neilanyon4792]

Absolutely the best registered version of Nimrod I have come across. The most subtle build-up from delightful strings - not too keen sounding - to the wonderful Skinner chorus. Even as an Englishman I'm happy to admit that this instrument is right up there among the best ;-)

[@stylusfantasticus]

DEar Neil: Thanks so much for your kind comment. You made my day!

[@stylusfantasticus]

@mikedc2020 You very kind-thanks!

[@aadbind64]

after this...silence..........

[@jimshepard7099]

Yes this is an amazing performance of this piece . May i for Elgar , organ , and music fans strongly recomend a performance on You Tube of Elgar's Imperial March played by Carlo Curley on the organ of St.Mary Redcliffe in Bristol . Finally thankyou to the organist here .

[@russellbond1232]

So beautiful. What else can I say?

[@stylusfantasticus]

Thanks!

[@russellbond1232]

You're welcome and thank you so much for posting this!

[@Elhombresombra]

Bibliopolist, the tempo is "Adagio", 52 bpm to the crotchet (quarter note) to be precise... you go faster, you ruin it.

[@denisnicholson2528]

Anyone have an idea what transcription or arrangement this is by? Thanks.

[@stylusfantasticus]

Hello. It is an arrangement of an arrangement... the original organ score was by W.H Harris (Ed. Novello). Regards!

[@pjclutterbuck230473]

I remember bursting into tears when this was played at Prince Philip's funeral outside Windsor Castle. The building and its architecture are beautiful, but I have to wonder how it can be a National Cathedral when the Constitution forbids the establishment of a national Church, meaning there is not an archbishop or Church that can have a seat (cathedra) here. It makes no sense to me.

[@mastered38]

In Eb major

[@SacredMusician]

This is really lovely. Can you tell me whose organ transcription this is, and if the sheet music is available? I'm doing an organ recital in the fall and I would love to play it.

[@stylusfantasticus]

@bigbdog32 Thanks!

[@adgodbee3272]

Need other Ernest Skinner organs recorded and pllayed

[@stylusfantasticus]

I agree...Dobson is a great artist most suitable for this conspicuous instrument.

[@SacredMusician]

@stylusfantasticus That does help. Thank you!

[@vinyalonde]

This doesn't sound like other performances that I have heard. Did the organist make changes to the score?

[@plindblom]

Very nice interpretation! What arrangement is this?

[@stylusfantasticus]

It´s my own arrangement. Thank you very much!