XAVER VARNUS PLAYS BACH'S TOCCATA & FUGUE IN THE BERLINER DOM

•●The Official Video Site of Concert Organist Xaver Varnus●•
Xaver Varnus plays Toccata and Fugue in D minor (edited by Mendelssohn) on the great Sauer Organ of the Berliner Dom. Recorded live on the Opening Night of the "Berliner Internationaler Orgelsommer 2013".
At the time of its dedication in 1905, the great Sauer Organ of the Berliner Dom was the largest in Germany, with its 7269 pipes and 113 registers, distributed across four manuals and pedals. The court organ builder Wilhelm Sauer, from Frankfurt on the Oder, created an instrument that embodied the newest technical and musical developments of German organ building at the time. In that way, the organ met the high expectations of both the organ builder and his client: in the Protestant Cathedral of the capital city, there was to be a monumental, modern, and in every way extraordinary instrument of the highest quality. The organ of the Cathedral of Berlin represents the highpoint of Sauer’s career. At the same time, it marks the end of the long development of Romantic orchestral organs, whose sound corresponds to the characteristic sound of a symphonic orchestra of that period. Today, the organ in the Cathedral of Berlin is the largest late-Romantic pneumatic action organ in the world that has survived in its original condition.
•●The Official Video Site of Concert Organist Xaver Varnus●•
Xaver Varnus' first piano teacher was Emma Németh, one of the last pupils of Debussy. He has played virtually every important organ in the world, including those in Bach's Thomaskirche in Leipzig (2014), Berliner Dom (2013), Notre-Dame (1981), Saint-Sulpice (2006) and Saint-Eustache (1996) in Paris, National Shrine in Washington, D.C. (1985), and Canterbury Cathedral (2004), as well as the largest existing instrument in the world, the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia (1985). His Quadruple Platinum Disc winning album "From Ravel to Vangelis" (SONY, 2007), is the best-selling organ CD ever. As a Canadian citizen, Xaver Varnus resides in Berlin, and in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia Peninsula, where he opened Varnus Hall in a 19th century church. "Put simply, Varnus is a monster talent, every bit as stimulating and individual as the late Glenn Gould" (The Globe & Mail, Canada's National Newspaper). "He is one of the most influential figure in organ music in the early twenty-first century." (Mark Wigmore, The New Classical FM, Canada).
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[@RandomDuude]

"I play a guitar" "I PLAY A BUILDING"

[@trkk7047]

i play your mother

[@edmardisla8492]

@@trkk7047 you played yourself.

[@richardclay]

That is easily the funniest comment I've ever seen on this thing! Thanks for the laugh.

[@tampawoodworks280]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@poblanomanu2b]

... biggest LOL this month ... !

[@Ladco77]

It's nice to see an organist who understands they are not only playing the organ, but the entire building. His timing as the sound decays across the auditorium is impeccable.

[@verumpraevaleat8177]

oh how true. thats what these buildings were built for...resonance and frequency control. The church stole these buildings and repurposed them.

[@mobuildsstuff]

underrated observation. kudos for noticing

[@gerardomoreno6704]

His timing is perfect.

[@moriscoley5328]

Which adds amazing value to the piece of music and volumes to the audience listening 🎶 in TOTAL, ahh!!! Thank you,

[@aldito7586]

Very well stated !

[@muppit666]

We were working in Rochester Cathedral during the renovation of their organ, and on completion of the renovation, I asked the head organist to play me a request. We don’t play roll over Beethoven in the cathedral he said. But when I said wanted Bachs Toccata and Fugue in D minor he looked a bit shocked. (I’m a 6’3” long haired biker). The following day we were up on the scaffold working away when that very distinct intro started and I quickly told the lads to stop what they were doing and listen. It was definitely a hair on the back of the neck and arms raising moment. Sounded brilliant and even the lads working with me had to agree that it was pretty good. A wonderful memory of what is one of my favourite tunes of all time.

[@alicekuhnigk373]

Was eine tolle Geschichte

[@rogerwalter7097]

Great Job. Thx

[@miguelcastaneda7257]

Very lucky you and them are one of lucky few to hear...feel and even the air of this being played and likewise scooter tramp and enjoyed playing rock but as child I learned classical music I wish I could have mastered this

[@judyjohnson9610]

There's an interesting version done by a group on electric guitar. kzbin.info/www/bejne/raLKgmp_js2piMk

[@oj3888]

I was lucky enough to go to The King's School in Gloucester as a boy, and lucky enough to hear this played on the organ in Gloucester cathedral. I swear you can't hear the low notes, only feel them.

[@sfpeter]

The natural echo in this cathedral is insane, and masterfully played.

[@pepsisinalco]

natural?

[@user-fh4qb3sq5z]

Музыка мира и добра и счастья.Пусть закончится война Пусть люди приходят на чужую землю только с подарками.а не с оружием и на танках.Мир в вашей душе

[@littletweeter1327]

@@pepsisinalco yes, natural. this cathedral in berlin is massive.

[@germanCrowbar]

@littletweeter1327 I don't think he understood what was really meant by that.

[@ImpendingJoker]

Let us take a moment to recognize that this beast of an organist not only played the whole thing flawlessly but he did so, without sheet music in front of him. Press 'X' to pay respects.

[@espressonoob]

yeah most musicians memorize solo pieces, this isn't really uncommon. great organ playing though.

[@dalkbrolne]

X

[@comradevlad7459]

X

[@Anony_mouse2]

X💞

[@JADEGATETIGRESS]

X

[@TheScoobyMix1]

300 year old Heavy Metal. Bach was way ahead of the time.

[@ciderman1950]

Prog rock at it's best.

[@trevorjameson3213]

Oh yeah, Bach was centuries ahead of his time. In this piece alone, you can hear elements of just about every style of modern music composed and played today, including hard rock and metal. But that is because nearly all modern music takes elements from Bach’s compositions, especially this one.

[@pigpotty]

Trevor Jameson yea when I hear mumble rap I’m like “ooh he borrowed from Toccata & Fugue right there”

[@matthewgloberman3682]

WorstPianist , you would be incredibly surprised by how classically melodic some metal really is.

[@matthewgloberman3682]

@@worstpianist3985 , check out Fleshgod Apocalypse's album Agony.

[@ParaFoxxen]

This man knows and has the smoothness and the understanding of how an organ works - that it’s not just the sound from the pipes but the whole reverberation, reflection of the church itself needs to be respected!

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

James Bond knew how an organ worked.

[@tjguzik]

he is a craftsman, not an artist has instructions and follows these instructions, without going beyond what was written his expression does not show any feelings - he knows his profession and does it the only thing he is good at is acting - but there is no spark in him... I have seen and heard many toccata and fugue performances - this one is correct according to the notation, the sound is good - but it lacks one, most important thing - the feeling... organs are very sensitive to feelings, if you don't show them to them - they will only be a tool, not an instrument

[@ncard00]

I really don't like this piece not staying in minor the whole way through, or at least a minor sound, and I really don't like this piece in general, it's all over the place, and doesn't have a reocurring melody that you can remember and sing afterwards.

[@Ale55andr082]

​@@tjguzik it lacks one, most important thing - the feeling... speak on your behalf, thanks.

[@tjguzik]

@@Ale55andr082 Did I hurt someone's feelings? and since when do feelings become corporeal and bleed? If your feelings are bleeding, see a psychiatrist because you have serious mental problems I said what I thought - and I don't give a damn about your political correctness - I'm telling the truth as it is - not sweet words: ""how beautiful it is, what a great game"" he doesn't play great, he's an asshole and not a musician, my 15-year-old son can do better and now take me to court - but your political correctness doesn't work in my country...

[@DarthBane22]

Thank you for taking your time to let the organ breath. So many artists just rush through this piece.

[@trainliker100]

A little bit into the piece I was thinking he did some things too slow and had excessive pauses. And then I started to figure out what he was doing considering the acoustics he was dealing with.

[@sibtainhaider2411]

​@@trainliker100The pause seem longer in recording. But when you are in that hall, the continuous flow is Mind Blowing.

[@trainliker100]

@@sibtainhaider2411 Yes. That's what I figured out at some point. I have been in a large venue with a pipe organ and have never heard a recording really capture the experience. Combine that with tiny tinny little speakers in a computer monitor and the sound is worse yet. Somehow, I think our brains make up for some of the shortcomings of the actual sound from crummy speakers because we know what things are supposed to sound like from experience. And our brain improves upon the limitations of a very limited "sound" system.

[@carmenlegorretag.9997]

I like it.

[@robertosusa672]

Super performance

[@pas5294]

I wanna buy a castle in the middle of nowhere and play this tune while its thundering outside

[@ambarghosh7433]

Full on Addams family vibes bro.

[@desertfox2403]

I always imagined doing that but building a castle in some remote part of Alaska. Play it during a snow storm with the windows open. FILL THE STORM WITH THE MUSIC!

[@eringray1176]

Straight up

[@roberthaney4106]

Amen

[@LXIXXX]

While laughing maniacally.

[@juliomunoz6468]

"He had no notes to read, I have no words to say." (No, I don't mean I'm impressed that he had no sheets, I'm just expressing my awe of his performance!)

[@TroisLuma]

I was in awe also...

[@Hoosirdaddy]

Thats right

[@azazz7297]

Vampire

[@Masterfighterx]

Memory..

[@Maxumized]

Zyx I’d like to spill an open box of matches on the ground next to him

[@TheHeartlessAlchemist]

Bach has died 273 years ago, but he was such an amazing genius that the music he composed is still remembered and revered to this day. And Xaver is such an incredible organ player. His interpretation of Toccata & Fugue is absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring. I love classic music!

[@TheTrueAdept]

Funnily enough, the only reason that J.S. Bach is even known is because of one of his fans who went around Europe, finding every Bach piece he could find... ... and he still didn't find all of them.

[@ClarenceCochran-ne7du]

If it hadn't of been for Felix Mendelssohn, Bach's masterpieces would likely have languished ina dusty conservatory cabinet. He single handedly started the Bach Revival in 1829 with a masterful performance of Bach's Passion According To St. Matthew. It received such critical claim, that it started a movement which has continued to this day. Thank you Lord for Maestro's Bach and Mendelssohn.

[@spmoran4703]

​@@ClarenceCochran-ne7duLet's face it , they are both genius

[@DjMicr0dot]

i thought tocatta de fugue Dm was older than bach tho?

[@MuhanuziMpesha]

He knows the music intimately. It is in his blood. Brilliant performance. Flawless.

[@marktrader490]

Before they built walls of amplifiers they just sat the audience INSIDE the instrument.

[@antoniofuller2331]

I likey

[@tomg1066]

One Word... Epic!

[@izziebon]

The echo is part of the music; no hurry!

[@technofeeling2462]

Now I understand. The dom is the Instrument and the organ is just part of it

[@andrewbarrett1537]

Exactly, because most pipe organs rely upon the room acoustics to help the tone 'bloom'. A great organ can be installed in a bad building (or a good building with bad ideas for installation, which sometimes can be redone and the result improved) and not sound so great; also, an organ considered not-that-great, but with careful attention paid in restoration to voicing, blend etc etc can be sensitively installed in a good building (or in an average building but with careful attention paid to acoustics and installation to make it *work* in that building), and the end result turn out much better than anyone might expect.

[@mongo6043]

Can't imagine how wonderful it must have been to sit in that Cathedral and literally "FEEL" the music wash over you!

[@lena-mariaglouis-charles7036]

It doesn't only "wash over You", it pulsates right THROUGH You, too... and THAT is a most amazing and incredible experience... 💙💛🌹💜🍎🇺🇸

[@ReaperChild79]

That's the reason I sit by speakers at concerts. If my pulse isn't the song, it's too quiet.

[@lena-mariaglouis-charles7036]

@@ReaperChild79 💕 Yet, I dare say that sitting/standing next to the speakers (while at a concert at an outdoor venue...) is the next, best thing... Being up close to the stage (at an indoor concert...) or sitting/standing at ANY PLACE in a cathedral, brings You the ULTIMATE ear and body experience... The people that built the European cathedrals (and organs...) all those centuries ago, certainly knew their craft... (...and I feel truly Blessed to have had the ultimate experience on so many occasions...) 💙💛🌹💜🍎🇺🇸

[@janiv3987]

You should try wearable bass like Subpack M2

[@unorthodox5171]

You will be converted.

[@waelabi-haydar9386]

Half of the pipe organ technique is reverb, which many artists simply miss, but not Mr. Xaver! Perfect tempo and reverb! Imagine what was in JS Bach's genius mind to compose this grandiose masterpiece some 400 years ago when human kind was living at the candles light!!!

[@PoshPaws2703]

I think its rather like the 2 hands having a conversation or a row with each other one speaks and the the other ansas or shouts back. Brilliant work by js so ahead of his time.

[@alecciagiovanni2356]

he died 273 years ago, but the candle was actually still used.

[@DjMicr0dot]

wait isn't this tocatta de fugue dm origins unknown tho. ..its bach who history has first credited for performing but im sure he was covering it by the origins unknown implication....if im missing something please educate

[@metorphoric]

Every now and then, I come back to this video to just marvel at its beauty. This song is nothing without the proper organist playing it. Absolutely marvelous. I cannot say enough good things about this performance. It was transformative.

[@user-ic6vd1jc2x]

but 🙇🙇‍♀️🙇‍♂️alien has each hand with 20 fingers🤣

[@knutholt3486]

The organist plays in a way that fully utilizes the resonance in the room. This includes the long pauses which still are filled with sound.

[@akritithegreat]

Exactly. I loved that too! This shows his understanding of the instrument and the sound it's capable of producing.

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Now do Inna Gadda Da Vida....... ;) Joking aside, this performance is excellent. :)

[@glared]

Underrated comment. Absolutely overlooked.

[@SimonCoates]

So true. The organ and chamber is the whole instrument.

[@dede4004]

Absolutely! I love the pauses. The ressonance is so beautiful, and you can hear every note.

[@johnnyfin8603]

What instrument do you play? - A church

[@reymichaelsungazornosa4040]

the pope probably

[@BillAnt]

At 11:25 he's playing a Sig Sauer. ;) They also make high quality guns.

[@Auberge79]

Actually, yes. The way he plays is considering all the echoes and acoustics of the church itself. Great performance! Simply amazing.

[@alexpearson8481]

Ok. That’s funny. Where do you guys dream up these funny comments?

[@Auberge79]

@@alexpearson8481 just out of mind :-)

[@birkinsornberger263]

MAN I wish I could've been there. How amazing that must've sounded in person.

[@mfiorito5550]

He lets the notes play out before beginning again. I love this, while many others play this way too fast.

[@jamesglass5402]

Yes, it is played far too quickly by so many.

[@lanceortega1]

Yes. That way he presents the dignity of this music and therefore, in result, he deserves our respect and our appreciation.

[@GentleMelodies]

Да,вы правы! Я посмотрела до этого несколько исполнителей и по первым тактам понимала,это не моё! Как печатная машинка! Звук обрывается сразу же без продолжения! А здесь ноты ЗВУЧАТ и уходят в бесконечность! BRAVO , MAESTRO!!!

[@Nepafarius]

The melody around 1:40 always sounded off to me in other renditions. To hear it slowed down has further made me appreciate the rest of the piece as it was intended

[@noravanwyk5460]

Perfectly agree.

[@TheMrFarkle]

Unusually clean and intelligible performance, not the usual "see how rapidly I can play".

[@nendo4344]

TheMrFarkle the difference between showing off and caring about the beauty of the music

[@herseem]

I completely agree. Slow and majestically gothic, laden with foreboding, works best for this piece, especially with the long revert times.

[@lorenzoboyd6889]

Yes! I really appreciate the calm, deliberate phrasing. As God intended.

[@skay9443]

Very true, but worth considering the performance and the type of instrument. I learnt to play this on a one hundred and fifty-odd year old organ that originally had hand bellows. As my teacher put it, your bellows boys would have rioted had you tried to play that fast and with that many stops out at once. Slow down and enjoy the music and nuance. Seeing as you could hear the mechanical/electrical bellows working hard if you tried to go flat out, I can only imagine how impossible it would have been to keep up with. I still believe you should let the majesty of the music and the organ tell the story, not your technical skill ;)

[@JanBinnendijk]

I Agree, most "versions" are just over 10 minutes..

[@gospelofrye6881]

I have a friend who is a firefighter. He attended a (false) alarm at a church here in Australia, and managed to convince them, after the alarm was cleared, to let him have a go on their organ. He sat up there, in full firefighter gear... and played Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

[@TheMrFarkle]

From what I've read, this performance may well be as Bach intended it be played, with clarity of every note. Bach was a master performer.

[@brucewayne2184]

Some say after he finished playing his masterpiece in the grand hall, he burst into a swarm of bats and vanished, never to be seen again.

[@anthonym612]

Bruce Wayne username checks out.

[@joenobody571]

😂

[@alexiachimciuc3199]

😛

[@tangledshoelace4726]

🦇🦇😁

[@thomasarussellsr]

I'm not saying you're Batman, but I've never seen the two of you in the same room together. I guess you needed this organist more than his audience needed another song?

[@macDaddy1118]

You dont even clap after hearing something like this in person. You just sit and thank god that your alive to hear and feel something so grand and majestic

[@pnotuner1]

Well J.S. Bach dedicated every song he wrote to the glory of God.

[@johnbaggus9966]

Superb comment 👋

[@CORYJOHNM]

I'm a little more cultured now from that comment. I would have stood up and applauded and yelled YEAHH WHOOO! But now that I've read this little thread an feel humble.

[@mariasbarcea4465]

Ce frumos!

[@andreasadelheidwijgmans728]

Amazing the performence with hand and feet and a lot more

[@erwansilvain2761]

he manages to not only remember toccata but the entire fugue which is very long for a memory only play

[@user-pd5fk6id9f]

This is not just a performance of the greatest work by the greatest composer. These sounds convey a true understanding of Bach's music with all its meanings. Indeed, it is true that this performance is one of the most authentic and correct in meaning. BRAVO, Maestro!

[@jorgeedesiothaiss9650]

Por mais que possam aparecer instrumentos com tecnologia moderna, esta harmonia de acordes é algo *insuperável* . MÚSICA, é DEUS falando através de *dedos* obedientes ao seu comando. MÚSICA, é uma verdadeira *VIAGEM* a um *MUNDO ANGELICAL*. Quem duvidar, feche os olhos e se deixe conduzir pelos *ANJOS DE DEUS* a esse *PLANO SUPERIOR*.

[@konst1887]

What does this even mean? It’s not truly authentic to play a baroque piece on an organ that is build in the in the early 20th century. Neither the intonation of the pipes nor the temperament is anything that Bach had in his time. Even the video description says that it’s edited by Mendelssohn.

[@Shaden0040]

NOTE: No sheet music this guy is playing this from memory. Impressive.

[@stormybear4986]

Agreed! The mark of a true professional.

[@user-dk5kj5dv9x]

its muscle memory lol, once you play it alot and you feel a lot of interest in playing it, you will instantly play it even without looking at the notes.

[@jmh1189]

most musicians play from memory.

[@theokleynhans5969]

@@user-dk5kj5dv9x True, but there is much more than muscle memory...

[@user-dk5kj5dv9x]

@@theokleynhans5969 i agree.

[@zneufeld]

I am an organist, and this is the only performance of this piece that made me cry. He plays the music as it asks, without any personal ego or flashiness. Amazing.

[@1988josip]

You have 1 more version of 19 year old prodigy...which was imho even better

[@660reliant]

Have you ever heard disc? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ69foVvbMh8hrs

[@ghostwreckeriii6074]

He played it like a masterpiece should be... In Strenght

[@user-tp9hc8iv2x]

agree 1000x1000 ... it's a gift to bach (and to us) and not to himself

[@SheepdogSmokey]

As the piece needs, just music for the beauty of it.

[@doerthemanahan9912]

No one else can play this without the sheet music. He is just a real genius and I have admired him for quite some time.

[@dirk_walter]

Not the only one for sure. I know two at least.

[@vinceblanket1327]

I can play the Toccata and the first half of the fugue without sheets :)

[@user-yg5qd8lz7q]

Земных слов нет, чтобы выразить ощущения!... Божественно!!!

[@dutchcanuck7550]

Love the tempo here. Too many players race through the pieces, like they're renting the organ by the minute.

[@liberatomirra1130]

Grande maestro 👍💪

[@morpheus6749]

Incidentally, that organ does go for $50 per minute.

[@Demiurg_D]

Too slow! Very long pauses. He smoked hashish?

[@BrookieCooki84]

@@Demiurg_D Nah. Just right.

[@spikespa5208]

@@Demiurg_D Toccata done right for that venue. Magnificent echo. He takes full advantage of it.

[@samuelcrandall1180]

Can we just take a minute to appreciate how cool the name "Xaver Varnus" sounds.

[@Diana-gv1lb]

Gigout toccata kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3fWf6qIftlomck

[@ZurSacheBitte]

Prof. X. Xaver Varnus... alias Dr. Octavus.

[@Benginator1]

Lol yeah, and the music couldn’t be a better fit. It’s almost too perfect

[@karengraeme6273]

He looks like Boris John'son

[@kevinw.8240]

Very star warsy name

[@schallischnalli8567]

XAVER you are total cracked through I listen to this piece every evening and I get tears in my eyes every time he doesn't use sheet music ! Other interpretations of Bach are ok But XAVER makes a epiphany from this music notes

[@andycrellin1798]

i love watching someone that knows what theyre doing

[@ringding1000]

The silence of his pauses are made as important as each note. Truly a masterful rendition

[@reggielongoria1848]

Indeed sir.

[@milztempelrowski9281]

silence is in this case awesome dome-reverb, so yeah definitely

[@jal5240]

Indeed Sir, you are right. Perfect tempo and pauses !

[@sethneumeyer1167]

-Chopin

[@RedOrm68]

@Aeryn Sun also, the notes before and after transitions would have gotten muddled, if he hadn't. This organist obviously knows the acoustics of the cathedral of Berlin well.

[@connorkrystowski7266]

If this guy doesn't come to my funeral, i'm not coming either...

[@nigelharris1419]

Yeah! I’m with you on that. Same goes...

[@stairwayunicorn4861]

coming at a funeral is generally frowned upon

[@kerrymarieeisen5012]

😂😂😂

[@alexandermccarthy]

Yeah, buddy. Book him in early because if he doesn't show at mine, I'm not showing either.

[@psychopompous3207]

You wouldn't be there anyways.

[@emziilouuu]

Not only did he have perfect, entire control of this amazing instrument, he controlled the entire room. From perfect timing to allow it to echo at full effect around the room, to taking his time instead of rushing it. Extremely jealous of every person who got to witness this performance live!!

[@hamboner2]

The scary thing is, to write a piece this intricate, the composer must’ve had a full understanding of the instrument and its capabilities. Writing this piece took absolute genius to be able to understand exactly what you were going to get when it was played and the format it was going to be played in. BRAVISSIMO!

[@uncletom1971]

Well, that's Johann for you.

[@mitchellforney6109]

OMFG I am 45 years old and have been a Bach fan for as long as I am capable of remembering, and this is ABSOLUTELY the best performance of this piece that I have ever heard. This is perfect, absolutely perfect. This is how this piece SHOULD sound ALWAYS.

[@mitchellforney6109]

God damn, that pedal work alone is freaking amazing.

[@SDX9000]

agree on the perfect part :)

[@kathyallman6178]

Agree on the music, but not FG! Insulting! 🕊❤️🙏❤️🕊

[@mwh7022]

The first organist i have heard that listens to the acoustic delay of the hall in order to continue keys... well done Xaver

[@christibbals4087]

Fascinating! Didn't notice, so cool

[@graham2631]

I agree there are too many key pounders that don't grasp the concept that the entire building is the instrument. When one does the true potential of the instrument is realised.

[@MALANGAENHANCED]

Reverb

[@mwh7022]

@@MALANGAENHANCED I refer to DELAY as merely the distinguishing perceptible return of the combination of a multitude of reflections from a single source to a point of listening (PRE-DELAY) resulting in what we overall call reverberation when it is a combination of many attributes. The acoustic sound perceived would possibly appear to differ within a few metres of a particular standing location. Either way, the phenomenon attributed to the sound source and the acoustics in question works pretty well, would you not agree? Also the performance is pretty good too.... :-). Good call to the sound engineer (s).

[@Txepsiyu]

A pop organist this man isn't. The notes came when they were ready, not in a flashy rush. Brilliantly played.

[@edmardisla8492]

Ok, Yoda.

[@ChevronQ]

I haven't heard it said that beautifully before! "The notes came when they were ready" . You just made me smile 😌

[@guscox9651]

@@edmardisla8492 LOL Imma yoink that joke

[@guscox9651]

I don't think his touch was great but his timing and patience was really good

[@bigredmatt1011]

He’s not doing this for himself. He’s honoring the instrument, the room, and the composer.

[@user-sp2ww7yx7e]

Боже! Какое счастье слышать такое исполнение...Я люблю ВАС!

[@snackDaddy3.14]

Si, es perfecto!

[@user-vb7zg3fr8b]

Всегда мечтал услышать это творение своими ушами. Но слушаю только запись...

[@user-km9gg8qg1d]

⁠

[@tomtalker2000]

The reverb is absolutely SUPERB...!!! My mom and my favorite instrument. Nothing like a large pipe organ opened up fully like this. We sung in many chamber choirs together in various cathedrals. And it just gives you goosebumps folks.

[@killer408cid]

Even in our age of technology, we are awed by this instrument and the sounds that come from it. Now imagine that it is the early 1700's. You are a poor, illiterate subject of an Austrian monarch. You attend a mass at a cathedral that has an organ capable of doing this piece justice. You leave, believing you have literally just witnessed the sounds of God.

[@juliafehervari4854]

What comes close is Gregorian Chants.

[@johnwiechelman4630]

Better times

[@talentlesscommenter1329]

@@johnwiechelman4630 are you aware of how the organ was powered back then?

[@margaretharypkema9290]

just sit back somewhere, alone... close your eyes.. and the world is a better place..

[@stepanium]

I cried a little when I imagined myself as that peasant)

[@jamesmarch9570]

I love the way he makes the notes finish in the pipes before moving on to another part. A LOT of pipe organists don't do this. When so, it sounds so garbled up. Lower notes take longer to go through pipes than higher notes do. Notice when he went through the high notes, he breezed right through them. But the lower notes, he recognized he had to slow down, and Bach knew this, as this was meant for a pipe organ back in the 1600's, and still make the illusion that this was still an adagio fugue

[@AndrewBlucher]

Hi James. I think you are referring to the Decay Rate of the room the organ is in. The decay rate of cathedrals is why music written for them is so slow. Not only does the organ sound great, the voices sound amplified by the reverberation. Enjoy. This is my favourite Bach piece.

[@jamesmarch9570]

@@AndrewBlucher Hey, thank you! I couldn't remember the name of the process!

[@moriscoley5328]

Because he's a master of his instrument and has been doing it and doing it for years. I am sure that Bach is smiling from the Heavens in the way that this man plays His majestic tune ✨️ ❤️. 🙏

[@rickkoehnlein4629]

Great

[@aldito7586]

You speak something very true. The lower notes should always be spoken a little more slowly and just a little more softly to make the song sound a little better.

[@KellieReed-ee2hd]

I'm at a loss for words to describe how perfect this is. There aren't any words to describe it. Blown away again.

[@dinkylinker]

Old school surround sound. Once in my life I would like to experience this

[@douglasernst9477]

For the second time in my life. Finally I have found a precise, beautiful and ( to my ear ) technically correct playing of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Outstanding presentation. The hours of learning and practice he must have gone through are staggering. To play such an intricate piece by memory is awe inspiring as there was no sheet music in sight. A performance worthy of Bach himself.

[@charlesroberts3650]

I also noticed the no sheet music and marveled.

[@QuantumRift]

Then you must be talking about E. Power Biggs Plays Bach in the Thomaskirche, Columbia Masterworks M30648 (1971)

[@merdasmerdas80]

@dejuren yes, this. never understood "basic" instrument pieces that people stare the entire time at the sheet... after practicing a song 50, 100 , 200 times, even if its something very hard or very fast with a lot of in between notes, the first 50 times you need the sheet or tab, after that you just know what comes next, what the hands should do next without thinking it...

[@andrew_ray]

If it's too hard to sightread (and most complex keyboard music is for most musicians), the music won't do you much good anyways. Imagine reading out loud while speaking faster than you can read.

[@robertalan2427]

How did this marvelous building survive the War?

[@Sky-pg6xy]

Xaver Varnus is a vampire. He probably learned this song from Bach himself.

[@JonnySiver]

No. He teached him.

[@sergioalcantar3290]

Does have a taint of the vampire to him...

[@amber40494]

@@glossyseventy-five1769 Many wonderful Hungarian musicians!!

[@Lv-nq9qz]

That is kind of what you'd name the bad guy in a Ghostbusters movie.

[@tomfetherston5833]

He does look like a vampire.

[@istvannekovacs7835]

Tehetsége, megkérdőjelezhetetlen !!!!!

[@wayneheigl5549]

if Bach was alive and heard this he would cry, how beautiful it is , what a gift to humanity. how blessed we are to here this music being played so perfectly on such a beautiful organ .

[@fmg5301]

In case nobody else mentions it, I'd like to commend the outstanding work of the recording crew.

[@abelpickersgill3884]

Yes! Im really curious what mics and what placements they used. It really captures the low end well. I love that you can hear the building too! You get a bit of an idea about how it sounds, from the echoes and reverb and whatnot! I find lots of youtube clips dont give you that

[@xochitlxochipa4965]

The whole editing of the vídeo is remarkably well done !

[@seekingfinding6204]

Thanks, it really does sound great, and pipe organs are hard to do right.

[@fcooett]

Varnus is a master. He's been playing for 300 years, hidding in the shadows, feeding on virgins blood.

[@austonsmith536]

Thank you!!! I thought I was the only one that noticed this!!! Good eye!

[@CarlosOrdonez-hz1lt]

Outstanding comment.

[@gabaghoul23]

in new orleans of coarse, because we all know the REALL vamps are in the bourbon street area, which is why you DONT go down those corridors between bars in the quarter

[@lynettegill14]

I get an Edward Scissorhands vibe! Joking apart his playing is stunning. Just beautiful. 💗

[@timmym9149]

Probably tutored by The Master himself….🤓

[@user-ir9be6yg1t]

Tegnap, Magyarországon, Debrecenben, a Nagytemplomban hallhattam-láthattam ezt a csodát. Óriási élmény volt! Köszönöm mindenkinek, aki megszervezte ez a koncertet, és persze mindenkinek nagy respect, aki közreműködött.

[@edelweiss-]

I have the feeling that no matter how many keys and buttons you give a person for a piece of music. He will still be able to learn, given enough time, to press the sequence of hundreds of different keys in the right rhythm. Actually, the human being is an absolute "marvel".

[@stormybear4986]

As a classical pianist I have the greatest admiration for someone who can play 4-part counterpoint a la JS Bach with both hands and both feet simultaneously.

[@randombeats8452]

And no music sheet apparently

[@looseele]

As a drummer, we call that “limb independence”. When you fall into an independent syncopation it makes it sound like you have eight arms.

[@Shaden0040]

Also note he is playing it without SHEET MUSIC!

[@stormybear4986]

@Andy MacKay Clearly Xaver has a great natural talent, but I'm sure he would agree that greater still was the phenomenal mind that composed this masterwork.

[@nerysghemor5781]

What is even more amazing to me about Bach’s music is how it’s not just a melody on top of some chords: I can see two or more melodies running independently and weaving in and out of each other yet complementing each other so well! It’s like the chords just *happen* out of those concurrent melodies. I can almost always tell new Bach music I have never heard before, by seeing all those independent melodies working together. I never see it to THAT degree with Handel or other composers of his time. I have synesthesia, which makes it VERY difficult for me to master sheet music. Is what I am seeing the counterpoint I always hear so much about with Bach?

[@rockysmusicandart1250]

I like his phrasing - he allows for the reverb to die away - the piece seems to breathe.

[@TranceEmotion]

Aye playing this song in such a large space with such a large organ you need to pause to allow the sound to bleed out. Most people play the song far to fast and sounds overlap each other. This is probably the best rendition of this song ive heard.

[@Ktulu789]

Maybe you need to pause also to allow for the pressure to rebuild. Anyway, I agree that this rendition is awesome, nevertheless.

[@drsteele4749]

I think he phrased it this way because the building has reverb. He is a very great talent. Check out this other vid, a crisper performance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJ_YomyGjcesraM

[@CockySoupNazi]

I noticed that too, he let the reverberation ring out and fade, beautiful.

[@MrShortygeorge]

Yes. Brilliant young man with God's gift.

[@eyhussain]

This performance undoes the damage that pop culture has inflicted upon this piece. This work is pure poetry and this organist speaks Bach's poetry like a master poet. This is how the piece is supposed to sound. I've been listening to this over and over again. It's so well played.

[@guidodebie8580]

Even on this simple tablet device, absolutely the best version I heared so far,. Thanks

[@jimlaguardia8185]

Bach would have been so happy that we, 400 years later, appreciate his magnificent creations. Thank you, Herr Bach.

[@FoxyBoxery]

Dude deserves it tho

[@JOECANDELA22]

The scary thing is most people don't even know its Bach. They probably think some Hollywood composer created it for the movies. Haunting and powerful.

[@z3my4l]

Yes, exactly. And what about the future, after 400 years into the future, around year 2400, shall they listen to this or ”Oops, I did it again”?

[@lolmanboss]

Many great musicians came from Austria and germany. and bach is one that will be in history books for as long as humanity exists

[@richardclay]

How much of 21st-century music will be around in 400-years? "0."

[@Vugen18]

Truly a master who understands that sound comes from the silence between notes.

[@boldisorstefan9020]

Not the sound, but the music!

[@smashdiz]

This exactly I’m down a rabbit hole wanting to listen to this song but all others play it to fast, it’s the stuff in between, it’s the drama,it’s the feeling.

[@josephwood499]

I heard once a musician saying that silence is also part of music. So true

[@triplanelover]

what a talent and what a beautiful cathedral

[@Demetri450]

My best friend in high school use to play this piece on our chapel organ. He would invite me to sit next to him and sometimes I would turn the pages of the piece he was playing. I learned how to read music better.

[@steak7654321]

I was in that church during midnight mass on Christmas eve. That organ hits you right in the chest. What an experience

[@grenpier]

Adam Smith awesome !!

[@harryareola3656]

That's why it's called an organ, it's healing your organs.

[@antoniorios8284]

16hz of organ power!!!!!!!

[@LargeMuscularTitties]

This really doesnt give off a very churchy Christmas vibe if I'm honest

[@simonbertsch2571]

@@LargeMuscularTitties he really meant he was in his hilltop castle on halloween and he got a wooden stake in the chest

[@PVNICVTTVCK]

This is probably the most fascinating musical instrument of all time. The amount of keys, buttons, pipes… The sounds that come from it are beautiful, and the reverb from it in the buildings the organs are in… Absolutely brilliant invention. Lovely.

[@Brasileiro222]

Just today I had this thought. You wrote what I thought 👍

[@mustangdude86]

Now try building them 😄

[@dgphi]

At one time they were the most complex machines in existence.

[@j800r_aswell]

The buildings are part of the Organ. There are literally pipes everywhere.

[@danko8983]

@@dgphi yep, until the Space Shuttle and LHC came into place

[@bartsimpson955]

A giant. Beyond words. Sixteen plus million views. Speechless. A gift from the universe.

[@jsergiejcottrell1988]

This is how the music of Bach should be played. Timing is magnificent. Finger work is phenomenal. It is so clear you were thoroughly enjoying this as you were playing. Bach's in the great beyond thinking. "Ja. Das ist gut." (Because he was German)

[@markschleupner9548]

Can we just take a minute here and recognize the fact that he is playing this from memory!! There is no sheet music in front if him!! What an amazing genius!!

[@geertjalink]

It's not possible to play this from sheet music unless it is learned in memory. It's to fast for reading notes, must really be practiced hundred times or so.

[@farmerboy916]

@@geertjalink To be fair, that's most particularly technical music. Especially of something of this nature on this sort of instrument.

[@geertjalink]

@@farmerboy916 is Bach technical too? Sometimes I think it is.

[@jeannebouwman1970]

@@geertjalink well his fugues are filled with technical passages

[@geertjalink]

@@jeannebouwman1970 also I think it's some mathematics patterns in several Bach's songs.

[@TheAstroStick]

He's playing much more than the organ itself. He's also playing the cathedral.

[@erikthenorviking8251]

organbuilders often say that the best stop on the organ is the accoustic. Which means Beliner Dom is doubly blessed.

[@bigdaddydons6241]

I mean, i know you're praising the man, and i agree but with most organs that size they're literally built into the cathedral itself so he is literally playing the building

[@MrJoel9679]

You appreciate the interpretation instantly. Even while listening on a phone.

[@elcamino2133]

Some people play guitars or pianos, this guy plays cathedrals

[@davemiller6055]

That is actually literally true. The building is part of this and the old cathedrals were constructed with acoustics in mind for the music played and sung in them.

[@magdolnagrafinehornyak2162]

Nem véletlen, hogy az orgona a hangszerek királynője, és Varnusz Xavér müvész úr fantasztikus virtuóz jàtéka korona a hangszeren.Köszönet èrte!

[@user-ou8rf5tc4s]

Somewhere in the wide universe there must be something or someone who has or will write an organ piece greater than J S Bach's Tocatta and Fugue in D, but it hasn't happened yet. Chills run up and down my spine, and my eyes tear up!

[@kishascape]

I. Ron Butterfly

[@bobkonradi1027]

All serious pipe organists should be required to watch this video several, many times. There are "mechanics" and there are "artists" sitting at the keyboards, and 99% of them play this piece as though they are "mechanics." They follow the notes, but they just play one note after the other. Xaver Varnus is a Grade A artist. He interjects pauses at strategic intervals. He allows the venue's acoustics to participate in the presentation. He individualizes Bach as I've never heard anyone do it before.

[@luisdonayrespillpe777]

De acuerdo,ese sonido entre celestial y tenebroso

[@Crogon]

I believe that that's called adding character to the piece. Actually, I recall that there's another orchestral term for it, but I can't quite recall it.

[@amarissimus29]

@@Crogon Voicing.

[@lisbethbird8268]

Phrasing is everything

[@delihusnu278]

Valley of the Wolves kzbin.info/www/bejne/noKZiaGbo85npM0

[@sonopro1]

Let it breathe, let it breathe. This organist respects the instrument in its acoustic environment, which has always been an integral part of the instrument, as it is supposed to be. And most importantly, let the Master J.S. Bach breathe. Wonderful ! Wonderful !

[@mariaasunciongrandes1940]

Excelente interpretacion... Imponente templo.

[@mogwai2884]

I have no understanding of pipe music, but some how understand that you have to let tubes breathe. i.e escaspe of air and new input of air. Amazing.

[@EwicoCylinder]

@@mogwai2884 An Organ Pipe does take to speak much longer than a piano string and also as it bigger it get's with the base pipes (up to 9 Meters), the longer they will take to speak. So for that an organ should be always played with much slower tempi than a piano and a great Organ Master (like Varnus) takes use of it and also respects it acustically.

[@user-ng6yl9cj1d]

Создать такой инструмент!!!!и создать такую музыку!!!!!!

[@maj-lenaskagerlund3118]

Well said. As a professional organist I agree with every word. You have to work w i t h the acoustics -, not a g a i n s t it !

[@dennistregellis9162]

I agree with all the comments on how Xaver masters instrument and space. Only one word.. Perfection.

[@amandaoutlaw1349]

This man's talent playing an organ is amazing! Tocatta and Fugue are my favorite. God bless this man!

[@gowdsake7103]

god ha ha ha ha

[@jankiwi]

"12 minutes? Oh, I might just listen a bit in the beginning, and then move on." *listens to the entire thing and getting goosebumps*

[@lebarotnak]

Doesn't feel like 12 minutes. :)

[@ghostwreckeriii6074]

Same

[@ghostwreckeriii6074]

@@lebarotnak it feels like a story a full movie of more than 3 hours...

[@FoilHatMusic]

Same. There was really no place where it would have felt right to just stop it.

[@justiciapormanopropiaaa]

He is draculaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Hahahhaha

[@Ladypavs]

The reason why ears and goosebumps were invented

[@Jchathe]

Beautifully put! 👏💖

[@harryfriesen5404]

I know nothing about music. Just sounds I enjoy. This is one of them

[@eliskeryll6186]

Amazing , timeless, beautiful. Blessing to us all.🌍🌎🌏🛰🚀🛸

[@iamcarbonandotherbits.8039]

Bach must be saying"At last someone playing the piece as I intended it to be performed. Update treated myself to expensive headphones oriented to classical music, went to musical nirvana having heard notes not picked up by my old phones. So glad I saved for these new cans. This piece sounds so sharp and fresh I felt like one of the audience.

[@Pushingbuuttons]

I don't think Bach ever had any intention of his piece being performed this well.

[@paullewis2413]

Of course Bach had no idea how the organ would be developed in the future but if he could hear this I'm certain he would be overwhelmed by his own work!

[@iamcarbonandotherbits.8039]

@@paullewis2413 . I'm just glad he wrote it it fills me with awe that for all our human failings we can produce music like this.

[@NathanaelDuke]

Without exception the best rendition of this piece I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Finally, a player unafraid to linger and let the beauty of the flourishes wash over the hall like an autumn breeze.

[@iamcarbonandotherbits.8039]

@@NathanaelDuke Totally agree with your sentiments.

[@CandiceJoergan]

Most organists play this piece way way too fast. This was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

[@jeffdickey]

Um, not sure about that. I’ve heard this piece a couple of hundred times in scores of places (I’m a musician but not an organist). The words that came to mind repeatedly were “ponderous” and “pretentious”. I’d never had that reaction before and, being familiar with many Bach pieces, I doubt that it was what Bach intended. The music should be the centre of attention far more than the performer.

[@margaretlavender9647]

@@jeffdickey Ponderous? Never! Pretentious? What in earth makes you say that. In itself an organ is ‘pretentious’ if you must use that word. It’s a very ‘look what sounds I can make’ instrument if you think about it. But the player, this player is NOT pretentious.

[@lunahelena5329]

Totally agree! They play it so fast as if they were competing who can play faster .. and in effect you can’t hear half of the notes. This one is perfect!

[@CandiceJoergan]

@@lunahelena5329 Very well said !!

[@lunahelena5329]

@@CandiceJoergan thank you :)

[@StepDub]

Sounds like three people playing at once! Amazing.

[@volkergluth3428]

A big BRAVO! from Germany! Wonderful performance!!!

[@lajoswinkler]

Finally a performance that's appropriately measured in its tempo. Almost all of them on KZbin are so fast. This can't be played fast, it has to echo itself down. Breathe.

[@stanleystudios5186]

I agree that most recordings are way too fast but I do think this one is ever so slightly slow. Impressive nevertheless.

[@blatherskite9601]

You can hear that Xaver waits until the echo has exactly stopped, before continuing. That would mean the piece will be played at different speeds depending on the building it's played in.

[@omashaushalt]

@@blatherskite9601 I thought exactly the same thing! He is waiting for the echo to fade away.

[@danielinnocenciodasilva1840]

i was thinking that something was odd

[@BlackSeranna]

I have wondered at this - because doesn't Bach specify the tempo, and if so, why aren't the pros following it? I can understand why *I* don't follow the tempo - it's because I can't play super fast and flawlessly at the same time. Also, I am not a pro, just a fan who can play.

[@danad4930]

Best performance of this Bach piece I’ve heard in my long life. What pushes it over the top is Xavier’s awareness of the acoustical environment of the church and allowing the reverberations to play out before continuing. Totally brilliant!

[@MrStevemyname]

I 100 percent agree.... I couldn't work out why it sounded so good! Totally brilliant!

[@Jc-m1a1]

spot on he reads the room literally

[@torqueperformancemot]

Sounds absolutely brilliant

[@amigodaverdade4448]

Right! But his name is XAVER, not 'Xavier'.

[@mauriziosorelli9566]

And this work is not by Bach. See Wikipedia

[@StonoFox]

This piece feels both majestic and melancholic to an extent, it's breathtaking

[@ray-piano9326]

Nerves of steel, managing the delay! Let alone the skill. Awesome.

[@twasbrillig33]

the engineers who designed fashioned wired and constructed this instrument deserve as much credit as this amazing musician.

[@bigunone]

Since it is a pipe organ I'm not sure how much wiring would be involved

[@woofpuppy]

@@bigunone its been "fully resored" according to wikipedia. It may well be completely digitized except for the actual wind.

[@davidelliott5843]

The thread notes say it’s a pneumatic action organ.

[@kevbravo1]

You are right. Yeah the driver won the race, but he did it with the crew who built him a car to do so.

[@prblakeslee]

@@bigunone Every single key is a SPST switch which is WIRED to a coil of WIRE which pulls a light steel reed valve, which opens allowing air to flow into a small bellows, which pulls a much larger valve mechanism that allows pressurized are to flow into a specific pipe. The wiring harnesses are huge just for a single pike rank. This organ had two-dozen+?

[@lisandroantoniorodriguez9242]

"What I composed in life will resonate in eternity". (Bach)

[@davidsmith3736]

Great acoustics I must say.

[@lynettescott8826]

It would be fascinating if Bach himself could be in the audience… and for us to see see his reaction to this outstanding performance by Varnas

[@johndarwood209]

Perfection. I'm sick of everybody playing this as quick as possible, it sounds awful. Thanks to Mr Varnus i can enjoy this masterpiece as i am sure in the way that Mr Bach intended.

[@collectorofcats294]

I agree with you 100%!!! I like the slower tempo, too. Glenn Gould liked to play piano pieces at the highest tempo, too...

[@edhoughton2609]

Yes - totally agree. Hold those notes, let the instrument breathe, feel the power of the music.

[@johnmilburn5715]

I totally agree. The piece should be played at a measured pace that matches the organ. Brilliant!!

[@georgejob7544]

Stupendous!

[@humbertomonteiro6742]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnareKumh9SNh68

[@littletweeter1327]

hearing this organ echoing in berlin was life changing. you can hear it from outside and you feel the sound throughout your body when youre inside.

[@randompeople4559]

Blue Lobster

[@jimnichols1066]

Just remember what the Russians did to this place in 1945.

[@777hathor]

Love to experience this ❤ 🇦🇺

[@johnrhodes3350]

​@@jimnichols1066 Soviets! Even a whole nation of people can transcend a satanically inspired mass psychosis. The russian soul is fundamentally and in diametric opposition to your limited impression.

[@johnrhodes3350]

​@@jimnichols1066 take a look at how the Post Postmodern Russia has rebuilt, amongst many others - The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow.

[@karkasselebordelais4266]

C'est de très loin la meilleure interprétation de ce chef d'œuvre!

[@Dirty_doughnut]

Such an emotional piece. I feel the gravity of each key pressing upon my heart.

[@lohphat]

He’s playing the perfect tempo for the resonance of the space and occupancy. The venue’s natural resonance and the public sound absorption affect the performance. He’s letting the phrases ring out instead of just rushing through it. If he played faster it would just be mush.

[@magnusbijec]

that's the perfect point...most versions available here are played too fast, this one really has it...my grandfather used to have a vinyl with this magnificent opus, released in former Czechoslovakia (I think in 70ties) and this composition was played by Jiri Reinberger in one of Prague's churches, the best version I ever heard but have no access to it anymore, which sucks...this version here is very similar to Reinberger's one...truly impressive experience!

[@Tomatohater64]

Much agreed. One of the best renderings I've had the pleasure to hear.

[@horseshoe_nc]

I've really only sat and listened that that piece of music a few times. I was thinking the tempo here was a bit slower. Now that I've read your comment, it makes sense to me.

[@ronstancil1]

@Jason R Stanton listen to the pauses and watch his hands - he lets the note ring and fade and goes on, letting each note ring before next - this is brilliant

[@jappperon7012]

That just shows he is used to gauging the venue and adjusting on the fly, true mark of a professional.

[@wam44]

The way he pauses and lets the decay of the sound resonate through the space is sublime. I could listen to this all night...

[@cjmartinez8318]

It gives a powerful flow, thats why I liked this guy.

[@wam44]

@@cjmartinez8318 Yes, an amazing performance and unequaled in my limited experience...

[@theRealDavidn]

He is exceptional. The pauses are almost playful. They fully let the listener savour each stanza. An absolutely masterful rendition of a great piece. The composer and the organ builder would be deeply pleased with the way he has brought both to life

[@user-gx5fx7rs3k]

Having played this on piano, this is the best I’ve heard on the organ, his feel and respect for the score is impressive.

[@IluiCorrea-vl5nt]

Essa magnífica, magistral e belíssima Tocata, purifica e fortalece meu espírito !!!