THE PASSACAGLIA OF BACH ON THE SILBERMANN ORGAN IN RÖTHA - XAVER VARNUS

[@polliebain7450]

75 - alone in lockdown in Nice. The sorrow of covid 19, the wickedness of the terrorist attack here two days ago. Then by chance l come across this: to lift, calm and comfort. I am so grateful.

[@tric5122]

Peace be with you, God bless and I hope you stay safe. This music is just magical.

[@polliebain7450]

@@tric5122 Thank you so much for this. The kindness of strangers has never been more important

[@amber40494]

Hoping you are feeling better, more hopeful. I love Nice, so beautiful. We've had some rough times here in USA lately, but such a relief to have a competent leader now!

[@polliebain7450]

@@amber40494 thank you so much anne marie. Yes l am so pleased your Trumpian nightmare has ( more or less anyway) passed. And thank you l am fine. At least we are having a sunny winter here and no limits on where or the distance we can walk! Stay safe you kind soul

[@amber40494]

@@polliebain7450 thanks Pollie! We still have some crazies in congress and groups of white supremacists causing alot of grief but the fat frito is not able to tweet. Hope it stays that way. Stay safe in sunny Nice.

[@lorenzley1324]

What I love the most is the extraordinary sound of this exceptional Silberman Organ. This Organ is an unbelievable gem.

[@bertspeggly4428]

In my opinion, Silbermann organs are the best for playing Bach

[@muhammedsalihsefiloglu6516]

Thank you, BACH.

[@andrewmcfarland57]

My favorite Bach Organ work, at the perfect tempo. Thank you.

[@l.g.8028]

Like many others I have no words, except that my spirit is uplifted. Mr. Varnus is a master who treated the beautiful and complex piece with such serenity and the delicate and noble organ with utmost respect. 6:55 to 7:55 is so sweet that I wish it could go forever and take my soul to heaven! Most grateful for this gift.

[@wolfburgman]

I believe Bach would have been suitably impressed. This rendition shows full understanding of both the music and the organ also taking account of the accoustics in this building.

[@evrimbayindir]

The sound of the organ is amazing, and the interpretation is exceptional.

[@raffieuropa]

Outstanding, there are no words to describe this serene moment. Indeed a gift from God. Immortal Bach

[@ivancarlson953]

I can listen to this piece a million times and never tire of it.

[@JUANKERR2000]

Such a relaxed and restrained performance, no facial contortions or distracting flamboyant arm waving; just the sublime music of the master.

[@marichuvinas6848]

Exactly. I'm sick of these new show off stars in the classical arena. David from Hackney in the Philippines

[@JUANKERR2000]

@@marichuvinas6848 Just compare Varnus with pretentious little twerp! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnareKumh9SNh68 Yes, the youngster is a talented player and I humbly envy his skill but if I had to spend all eternity with one or the other Varnus and his 'style' would be my choice and I would hope that his calmness would rub off on me. I suspect that the other's company would lead either to his murder or my suicide!

[@unknowntimelord9557]

I hope you don't mind if I say that i also like the version of cameron carpenter

[@JUANKERR2000]

@@unknowntimelord9557 You are as entitled to your pinion as much as I am to mine, there is no right and wrong here. I had not heard of this organist until your reply and have to say that on the basis of admittedly only two examples of his interpretation of this piece that I much prefer Varnus's registration.

[@s1nd3r3llee]

Completely agree! He lets the music and the instrument entertain and Speak!

[@adriennebeecker5000]

Magnificent interpretation with the tempo and clear voice on each manual..You and J.S. Bach are a gift from God with your genius.

[@gowdsake7103]

UMMM God ?

[@mangstadt1]

I saw Gustav Leonhardt playing live on a couple of occasions in Madrid. The first time he played the harpsichord in a trio with Frans Brüggen (flute) and Anner Bylsma (cello). The second time he played the organ, with works by Bach. The recordings of Bach by Leonhardt that I have tend to be a bit fast for my liking. I have to admit that Xaver Varnus is great in terms of tempo and pause. He's in no rush to go put out a fire. He lets the music breathe. The algorithm brought me to his music quite some time ago. It really got it right.

[@albertnielsen1154]

@Michel Angstadt who writes: "I have to admit that Xaver Varnus is great in terms of tempo and pause." Absolutely! listen to his tempo when he plays Toccata and Fugue in D minor on the great Sauer Organ of the Berliner Dom. He sounds a bit slow, but he keeps the exact tempo and pause demanded by the resonance in Berliner Dom. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHmxfZd-mp2orrs

[@mangstadt1]

@@albertnielsen1154 I've seen and heard that performance. It's one to be savoured.

[@albertnielsen1154]

@ Michel Angstadt I listen to it several times a month, and it always induces a wonderful feeling in me of peace with the world. It (almost) makes me believe in angels. On youtube is another video with Toccata and Fugue in Bach’s Thomaskirche, Leipzig, where I live - it is almost as great as the one in Berliner Dom.

[@cameronwhyman579]

That was the first time I've heard the ending of the passacaglia pared down like that to hear every little note where so many others go for the bombastic finish, and then to dive into the fugue with the respect it deserves, and a similar finishing touch there, to get every drop out of each note. A wonderful piece played by a master of his art on a superb instrument.

[@knaw35]

It is due to the low pace and great timing. His play reminds me Glenn Gould way of understanding Bach. I love these ideas. And the sound of the old instrument is thrilling. I'm seriously getting goosebumps.

[@fairwinds610]

The spiritual power of Bach's Passacaglia, three-hundred-year-old organ, and Xaver Varnus! Perfection!

[@cerebrodebabosa]

This is amazing. I have something in my eye... Really touching.

[@GMoralesRCflight]

This tempo is perfect for this piece. Incredible performance.

[@vladoratkovsky8214]

Absolutely stunning rendition, tempo is fantastic, best performance I have even heard

[@Jack-hy1zq]

first time I ever heard this piece. absolutely breathtaking. Bach is THE composer of his millennium.

[@JUANKERR2000]

I venture to suggest of any millennium.

[@EttorealbertoGelli-vr6sz]

The MESSENGER Is for all the space time. One and only a misterius incredibile SINGOLARITY. ( When composed THIS...THIS... HE was about 21 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@peteacher52]

My favourite piece of music. This version is so very different from the usual that I believe it best put in a category of its own and not compared with other organists' interpretations. Mr Varnus is the consummate virtuoso, performing with neither silly facial contortions nor showy bobbing and genuflecting to the console.

[@ЗояНиколаевнаЕсина]

Й1

[@ongardenbythebay]

I’ll join in the praise. Stunning. Deeply moving. I’ve never heard this piece like this. Sublime!

[@insp106]

The written composer, player and instrument come together as one... astonishing to say the least!

[@jjjp6848]

This organ sounds beautiful.

[@Mr89siR]

This is hands down the best version ive heard!

[@rev.newtonhinckley3455]

The genius of mankind lives on with this great recording!!

[@TimmyMoza]

I had to listen twice as there was so much musical information and nuance. Bravo.

[@nobody8328]

I have no words that are good enough. Thank you 💖

[@colombianwheels]

If Bach had a student, his name is Xaver Varnus. This piece of music is perfect during the Fall.

[@gerardbegni2806]

Probably the most impressive piece for organ ever written.

[@jimbo2629]

It was written for “harpsichord with pedal”. This it says on the manuscript ☺️

[@maxouf1]

@@jimbo2629 ossia organo

[@dleimkuehler]

Absolutely!!

[@enzodalena173]

@ jjjjjjjjjuyyyýýyyyyyyazw

[@joshschneider9766]

May be written for harpsichord, I'm no expert but far and away one of my favorites ever played by a guy whose skill I deeply admire.

[@patygutierrezsegundo6725]

GRACIAS XAVER, eres maravilloso.

[@pabloolofssoncastaneda9889]

Awesome! You can hear every single note and without a single mistake.

[@gutfinski]

His articulation is simply masterful.

[@fredluecke7827]

Außergewöhnlich in der Artikulation, aber hochinteressant und meisterhaft gespielt mit einem stimmigen und passenden Tempo bei dem die Intensität und Durchhörbarkeit da ist und vom Organisten gelebt wird, es macht richtig Spaß zuzuhören. Es ist unglaublich aus wievielen Richtungen man die bachschen Werke empfinden kann. Das Instrument selbst läßt keine Wünsche offen. Einfach schön, - und schön gemacht!

[@7QHook]

Feels so good listening to this. thank you.

[@RomanGolubev_A]

Bach's music on the organ of his time. Sublime...

[@user-gu3qs7xo5h]

He is one of the best organists out there if not the best. He doesn't play fast or show off but he plays the piece exactly the way it should have been played.

[@racker9999]

It is like being at the creation of the universe. Xaver Vanus' interpretation is the most beautiful unfolding I have ever heard. He completely understands Bach's genius, awe, wonderment and love. Listening to his recording has made me so grateful for the gift of life. Thank you Xaver.

[@robertstubberud2427]

Beautifully expressed! Agree!

[@racker9999]

@@robertstubberud2427 Yes, thank you. Xaver Varnus' interpretation is so perfect. I listen to this great performance at least once a month. May I offer you another important work, this time from literature? www.sydney-east.info/Poetry/burntnorton.html

[@joshschneider9766]

Today is the one year anniversary of my brothers suicide due to his mental health meds being improperly tuned by his doctors. Although jewish, Mr varners playing of this and other stuff is soothing my soul. This man is an angel made flesh. A true master of his art.

[@racker9999]

@@joshschneider9766 My deepest condolences at the loss of your brother. The Bach C minor is a song of praise and gratitude floating on love’s ocean, so remember in affection and have faith everything is never ending. Peace

[@abegafouda9136]

One of my favorites. What a mastery! Un calme olympien qui cache une émotion intérieure intense mais maîtrisée: c'est cela un maestro... Danke. Thanks. Merci.

[@hansweichselbaum2534]

I've been listening to this masterwork now for more than half a century, and have never come across such an unorthodox interpretation. But I love it! Both a compliment for the composer and the player. The superb organ helps as well.

[@greg-warsaw4708]

Some organ can be cutting, tearing, piercing and crushing with elemental power. These ancient dudes are so peaceful, soft and smooth, oozing pastoral mood of heavenly tranquility.

[@HPD1171]

this is one of the best registrations i have heard for this piece. very good choice of stops and dynamics.

[@amber40494]

Very clear and colors of organ are very beautiful

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

Agreed! Interpretation is grand!🙏

[@s1nd3r3llee]

Agree! Magnificent.

[@ljude01]

His interpretation of the Pasacaglia was genius. I now understand how all the pieces fit together. Just beautiful!

[@m.v.d.k.prepperoma5991]

Phantastisches Stück Wunderbares Instrument Begnadeter Organist 👍👍

[@jhonwask]

I really love the slower then usually played temo; you can hear things never before heard.

[@jaikee9477]

Best version on YT imo, on an organ built by Silbermann himself (who was in regular exchange with Bach). This organ is world heritage and should be protected at all cost. Thank you so much, Xaver Varnus! ❤

[@jphilology7357]

How sweet this is! The composer, Bach, and the organist, Varnus, can not be out done by anyone!

[@Ray-jg5dj]

That little smile at 1:40 describes perfectly how satisfying to hear this piece is.

[@james.flores]

Cheeky!

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

@@james.flores 💜

[@polliebain7450]

Thanks for this - l'd have missed it..

[@usfghost]

9:22 oh my god, does any other organist also interpret the ending like that? that was amazing

[@nancywallace6752]

Danke. Merci beaucoup. Thank you so much from Canada. This music is timeless and Mr. Varnus reminds us of it's magnificence and clarity when life is anything but that now.

[@焼き芋-w1g]

It seems that the organ is singing with a wonderful performance in a simple and elegant tone. Thank you very much for playing.

[@nurturaanimae]

My next touristic destination. It must be a great honor and privilege to play on this organ. The organist shows his talent crescendo in the piece. The attention never fall. Ein phlegmatishes Meister . Bravo !

[@gerhardanton8759]

I am fascinated... what we need now in the World.? Music and Culture... ....

[@joshschneider9766]

Such a small set of controls played so perfectly with what might be the best ever piece for this instrument leading to the unbelievably beautiful music shouldn't be possible. I will show this to people when they ask me why I like orchestra so much.

[@l000kin]

Very impressive interpretation and registration! Many thanks for sharing.

[@jamesurzykowski4918]

Well maintained very old organ, the sound is exquisite. Thank you for another great performance!

[@MC-nq8dg]

I hadn’t heard this piece before watching this video, but it’s hard to imagine any performance stacking up to this one. Thank you for sharing!

[@SurfinScientist]

This is a very unique interpretation! I really like your personal touch. Especially the end is touching: while it is usually very accentuated, here it is full of introspection. The choice of registers is also splendid!

[@ВладимирБорисовичЕршов]

С юных лет восхищён тем как звучит орган. Очень был впечатлен звучанием органа Домского собора. г. Рига. Это просто Божественно. Всем мира добра процветания.

[@henryschmidt3684]

Es ist schon genial was so eine uralte Orgel hergibt, wenn derjenige der sie bespielt das Ohr dafür hat! Sie sind für mich ein Genie am Board!!!

[@takeomack2782]

OMG sir, you are a gift from God! You are truly amazing!! 👍

[@stormybear4986]

Another masterful performance by Mr. Varnus!

[@a.luisf.prieto4880]

Gracias Bach. Gracias organista.

[@fernandomacias3735]

MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE FROM A GREAT MASTER!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@Zaskar1978]

Speechless. Just admiring the sound. Wow.

[@minicirco]

Sehr schön. Nicht von diesem Jetzt, entrückt der Zeit, löst sich der Weg. Sein ist mehr ein Gefühl, Zuversicht und Trost. Was für Klänge. Danke

[@AWOldFather]

Bach's ancestor was Hungarian. They're all geniuses. You can finally hear all the notes on a superb organ. Varnus understands JSB completely. Thanks so much for this definitive rendition.

[@fabiofaria4243]

The hungarians have produced some of the finest physicists of the world. But do not forget to include in the list of their achievements their food...

[@jeanpierrecarabas5508]

" Bach's ancestor was Hungarian " ?????? - - - - NO, is a non-sens-legend …. www.bachueberbach.de/ ….. Bachs ancestors => from G R ÄF E N R Ö D A (Thüringen) !!!! … Veit Bach's father go to "UNGERNLAND" => Sudetenland => J E N I K O V (Bohemia)…. and Veit return to Thuringia ..... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jen%C3%ADkov_Sudetenland => JENIKOV …. (Teplice_District) …. "Ungernland" is NOT Hungary !

[@herrickinman9303]

Veit Bach, the oldest ancestor traced in Bach's own family tree, was not Hungarian.

[@amber40494]

No family from Hungary I've ever read about!!

[@amber40494]

@@jeanpierrecarabas5508 thank you

[@allareredeemed]

I love the tone selection and the performance is great too. Thanks for posting

[@daniyarsharafutdinov820]

What I like is the first minute of the Passacaglia here sounds naturally natural.

[@rwspal]

That was just wonderful! A wonderful, beautiful, monumental piece of music, and an astounding performance. Pipe organs - the best!

[@MrVonweber]

Great playing on a wonderful instrument. The passacaglia is so clearly understood when hearing it with a contemporary to Bach organ with incredible and complex timbres! Video variety of shots is also excellent. Thanks

[@Mashinist52RUS]

Xaver, this is the best performance of this piece I've ever heard. After all, passacaglia is a variation, so the character of each variation should be individual. A new variation - a new mood, state. This performance turned out to be very soulful and rich. Silbermann is a great organ. Excellent performance, bravo!

[@НинаДонская-ш4ь]

What a pleasure to hear this beautiful music. Thank you the wonderful performance

[@JesusLopez-yv1rj]

Me encanta, una interpretacion muy noble y delicada en los detalles, muy espiritual, sorprendente y magnifica

[@Jono6671]

awesome to hear these old organs. thanks!

[@biagiologaldo9940]

Adoro! impossibile non amarla. Great Xaver! grazie!

[@zavalinsky9056]

Thank you for posting this masterpiece. The historical scenario, not to mention the sound of this organ. I can imagine the history this instrument holds. Thank you Vielen Dank für die Veröffentlichung dieses Meisterwerks. Das historische Szenario, ganz zu schweigen vom Klang dieser Orgel. Ich kann mir die Geschichte dieses Instruments vorstellen. Danke.

[@frereM]

Magnificent matching of the individual instrument to the music.

The pipe organ sounds AMAZING, I wish I could play it! And the piece played on this organ suits them well, it's just wonderfull to hear it on a historic baroque organ!

[@KendallKent]

The bass is great!!!

[@fulcherpj]

A beautiful piece played on a wonderful organ!!

[@heartofodds]

Best tempo I've heard. Brings it out.

[@katidavid9494]

Fantasztikus, nem csak a zeneszerző, de az előadó is!❤

[@stephenbrown8898]

That was awesome on a two mamual organ. The registration was impeccable. I always heard the end at full organ. It was delightful as played. Thank you!

[@juanolmos4636]

Excelente música en órgano que penetra mi mente y me traslada al mundo espiritual divino.

[@gerhardanton8759]

Herr Varnus, my best Thanks and Greetings from Bucharest... all my Life Bach and Beethoven have been the Pillars for strong Existence... Thank You Bernd Fenske, a German in Romania ....

[@NormanicusDiabolicus]

What a magnificent work played with such mastery.

[@dur8805]

Danke für diese differenzierte, transparente Interpretation abseits vom (un)musikalischen Tempowahn der letzten Jahrzehnte.

[@bobbwc7011]

Welcher Tempowahn? Historisch akkurate Tempi wiederzuentdecken ist erstrebenswert. Bach wird stets u.a. als Virtuose an der Orgel beschrieben, d.h. da ging es ab! Es ist aber oft eindeutig am Stück zu erkennen, wo das Tempo liegen sollte. Dennoch: Die meisten heute leider üblichen verschroben langsamen Tempi haben wir den Romantikern zu verdanken; die haben das verbrockt. Fragen Sie mal Johann Pachelbel. Seine virtuose Unterhaltungs- und Tanzmusik in lebhaften Barocktempi wurde verkrüppelt. Kanon und Gigue in D werden in 99,9% der Fälle komplett falsch gespielt. Man kann von romantischer Perversion sprechen. Der Gipfel der Falschheit und des pathetischen Langsamkeitwahns ist erreicht, wenn der Kanon in D wie bei den Amis in der Kirche landet als widerwärtige Hochzeitsmusik. Nach wie vor ist die einzige Version des Kanon im höchstwahrscheinlich richtigen Tempo die Aufnahme von Musica Antiqua Köln. Leider sind von vielen Barockwerken so überbordend viele langsame, perverse Interpretationen im Umlauf, daß die meisten gar nicht mehr mitkriegen, daß das alles falsch ist.

[@dur8805]

@@bobbwc7011 z.b. andere interpretationen des selben werks. und andere werke bzw. dirigenten, deren namen ich nicht nenne.

[@jcpk2925]

As an organ builder, I particularly appreciated the very good choice of registration which highlights the magnificent sounds of the stops of this superb instrument.

[@maurisilliagabriel6020]

I have been in Leipzig some years ago to see Bach, Mendelsohn and to visit this beautiful city with its marvellous architecture. If I knew about Rötha that time wouldn´t miss it. The Rötha church with its mixed architecture of gothic and baroque is quite astonishing that deserves a no rush visit. I loved this video. It was very well filmed with fantastic takes from organ in operation, artist and church, congratulations to camara man and director. The performance of Xaver Varnus for Passacaglia masterpiece was precise and beautiful, congratulations to this great artist too.

[@flyingdutchman4794]

Sir, your phrasing is exquisite. Bravo!

[@saundrawells2603]

Amazing..Instrument and Interpretation...THANKYOU FOR POSTING

[@adrianosarkowicz9478]

Perfect... I listen this non stop, thanks.

[@martinzoller4899]

An incredible organ of Silbermann! Many thanks for playing here! Amazing.

[@inotmark]

Amazing clarity. Thank you.

[@WolfieNamira]

It is very rare to see a video where they show the tracker action of the organ while someone is playing it, I thought that was so COOL!

[@edgarhernandez5403]

Bach un ser extraordinario, al igual que sus intérpretes como éste hombre que se ha consagrado como un organista, sin duda su nivel intelectual está muy por encima de cualquiera. Interpretar a Bach es de lo más grande que le puede suceder a alguien en la vida.

[@edgarvalderrama1143]

Siendo ateo - Bach es mi sustituto por la religión!

[@annekramer929]

Anne spellbinding - great art and skill, most beautiful sound to soothe the soul

[@АлександрЕрмишин-и8ф]

Спасибо, что Вы есть, это словами не возможно передать, только слушать

[@loudfast1261]

simply divine. time spent amongst Bach's work is never wasted, Varnus's work proves the same.

[@josediasdias3991]

Inigualável, único, majestoso, com um som, timbre transcendente de uma pureza mecânica única eleva me pra bem longe de alcance longínquo......

[@cjmars822]

Sir, are you a Bach organ scholar? I appreciate your playing so much. You let the piece breathe, something many organists fail to do. I feel the same about your Toccata and Fugue video. Incredible artistry, thank you for sharing

[@edujoenck]

Maravilhosa execução lindo demais. Bravo.