O God Our Help in Ages Past

[scringewobbler]

@sk8er1979 Alright,keep yer hair on!



[scringewobbler]

@sk8er1979 Alright,Gay!

[Dalaphati]

What superb playing!! How much of the sheet music are you reading, though? I often think the best styles of playing (like yours) come freom the natural feeling of being able to play by ear for at least most of the song. What a beautiful instrument. And your tempo is absolutely spot-on!! Fantastic. Would really love to see more of you playing. I'm a pianist by the scheme of things but learned on organ - wish I could play like you. What qualifications do you have in music??? Well done playing :)

[v1x4g2]

This is the best and my favorite rendition of this hymn on You tube. Bravo!

[worksequalsalvation]

@v1x4g2

God said do Not kill.Gen9,Ex20

God said do NOT learn the way heathen serve their gods burning children as sacrifices and he HATES this.Deu12:30-31.

God said he NEVER commanded,mentioned nor even thought people would be so wicked they would sacrifice and burn children.Jer19:5.

God does NOT tempt with evil.James1

Abram should have told the demon telling him sacrifice and burn 2nd son"Get behind me devil.God forbids murder."

Abram followed demon;ignored god's commands.

[bamaster38]

I've never had a song literally bring me to tears before...this one did it. I love the way you played the last verse with so much power and passion. The plagal cadence at the end was a nice touch too. Great job.

[worksequalsalvation]

@bamaster38

YWHW rapes 13yr old engaged to Joe.YWHW does not have courtesy to tell Joe what he did.He sends Gabriel to thank him for use of his girl.God created hell to punish everything that rejects himself.Even if 1 never hears about bloody sacrifice, which is demonic,they will burn forever.You will love YWHW or else burn.

I want no part in immoral act of scape goating 1s sin to another.A moral person would be duty bound to stop the trial of Jesus, designed by YWHW, as immoral and wicked

[mattthericker]

VERY nicely done! I absolutely LOVE the voicing on the fourth stanza!

[RampGuy1]

You are very talented and you're not hard on the eyes, either.

[quinn244]

very well played indeed. I'm an amateur organist. And I can only play that good. My main instrument is the piano but i thought myself the organ and my church has a rodgers organ a trillium masterpiece 838 model . But it only has two manuels but i love playing it all the same. I agree with the people that say allen organs sound to electronic. I'v never played one but i heard one and it does.

[KC9SYJ]

@quinn244 I agree with you on the Rodgers. I heard one not long ago and it sounds WAY better than Allen! Allens do sound too electronic,...Rodgers has a more pipe organ like sound!

[quinn244]

@KC9SYJ Im glad you agree

[theaterpipe1]

Just WONDERFUL!

Rodgers organs sound just like the real thing, but Allen? Allen makes good pipe and digital combos, but can't recreate the pipe organ voices digitally, so if the tuning is off, that's no good.

On Rodgers, you get more authentic sound, more powerful reeds, and if the tuning is off on the combo pipe and digital, you can turn off the pipes, and you are never without a stop since the voices created digitally sounds JUST LIKE THE REAL PIPE ORGAN, and your in the clear with voices.

[smog7188]

I've never played a Rodgers Digital Organ before, only Allen Organs. The stops, do they only light up, or do you still have to pull the stops?

[theaterpipe1]

@smog7188

On Rodgers, you either have lighted draw knobs, moving draw knobs, lighted tablets, or moving tablets.

[007vauxhall]

Brilliant! Very talented!

[Michaelxxx1936]

Really nice. Thank you.

[javajo46]

aawessooommee playing!!! absolutely stellar!

[bimjales]

Just as nice this time as the first time I watched.

[jordantrevayne]

hey there...lovely playing.. can u tell me the model of the organ that you're playing on? thanks

[KathrinHart]

Hmm. Lighty-upy stops..... something i havent seen here in cambridge.....

[polgarfan]

OMG!!! I just realized where the organist is playing!!That's my ALMA MATER! GO GREYHOUNDS!!!

[bob4120]

Nice, expressive playing! Hope you will post some more recordings.

[njpdp]

Absolutely stunning, I was extremely impressed with the presentation, style, and exhuberance, really refreshing.

Nick Pearce

[azapachekid]

what a pleasure to listen to you play, very well done.

[ORGANICDUDE]

Wow, John, this is really well done. I believe it's one of the best renditions of "O God..." I've heard on this site. Contrary to what others have said, your Trillium sounds quite good. I listened to another, older Rodgers instrument on this site and it, frankly, sounded puny compared to yours. Thanks for being brave enough to post this piece. We'll be looking for more of your work.

[amourdutigre]

Very Nice!

Have you ever considered Christmas Hymns? God Rest ye Merry, gentlemen, Adeste Fideles, etc...

Most excellent regestry and ear. You have a great career in front of you my friend.

ADT

[cluke1979]

That was a stunning performance - I'm in awe!

[alimacdee]

nice, brings back memories that!

[tguodong]

No choice. Some churches are not rich enough to buy the pipe organ. Digital is good enough these days.

[paranormaalutrecht]

very nice done :)

[tguodong]

Agree. Is an A+ playing!

[Brandotuomikoski]

you have got to be kidding me. I own a conn 720 for over 5 years. i have NEVER played a pipe organ. I HATE the stupid Konn and I really dread it. I like playing the 1980 Rodgers 2 manual organ with less stops and a smaller sound system, worse acoustics than the HORRIBLE Konn I unfortunately own.

I am really great full that I am purchasing a new Content P5800!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT KONN IS OUT OF THIS HOUSE FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mogemoets]

Hey man,

Seems like your ears are in the right place!

BTW---I don't know if it's all the publicity they're paying for, or if there's a bunch of truth to it all-----but Marshall and Ogletree are all the rage right now. Trinity Church Wall Street seems to be very happy with their (toaster over) digital organ.

Check out Cameron Carpenter's playing on Youtube---HIS ears are really attuned!

What a queen he must be!

Martin

The Perfect Pitcher

[mac9erfan]

First of all, the comment I made that is probably just below this one was in response to bihonning's way-to-harsh comments.

Second, and most important, techman85, a wonderful job! I like the rendition that you came up with and how it built up as the hymn went on.

[activereaderguy]

This hymn is confident in glory, but also sad:

Time, like an ever rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;

They fly, forgotten, as a dream

Dies at the opening day.

(the rarely sung seventh verse)

[55trombone]

Terrific playing! It's great to hear so many different stops (flutes, reeds, etc) being utilized. And, if you don't (or can't) have pipes, Rodgers is the BEST way to go.

[techman85]

Oh I agree. Though I like the Allen consoles, Rodgers organs usually sound less "electronic" than Allen to my ears.

[Zyniker22]

@techman85 You play great man and thank goodness you aren't the organist at my church - would be hard keeping eyes off you man

[adhtz21]

Brilliant...please post more when you get time!

Can you play Intrada by Grayston Ives?

Was played for the Queen in 1977 as I recollect.

[bluecoloradocat]

Very nice!

[68086007]

Very fine playing. You have an excellent "feel" for the music. Well done!

[Caxton1942]

I just saw an email response. No need to thank me...just continue on the path to your goals. I was pre-med at that time in college...and ok...I'll just be a listener...and this ugly instructor at the organ is groping me...right...go away! That was 20 years ago so...another disincentive...I have never seen a more pock-marked face...but, a good organist...and yuck...stop doing that...All of that past aside...you keep up your skill...play some Bach too...

[riskyamello]

wow! loving it. what a talented young man

[Caxton1942]

Very well done, young man. I took organ lessons in college, but I did not have the proper dexterity...genetics, I suppose.

[techman85]

Haha thank you!

[Ignitus88]

I love the sound of the Rodgers digital organ! and you do a great job of showing it off! what stops were you using on the 4th verse with tremulant?

[techman85]

Tibia 8' 4' 2', Celeste 8' with General Trems and Flute Trems on (All on the Swell) - Coupled with 16' Swell to Choir.

[posaune16]

I keep coming back to this one - the more I listen, the more I like it. MY GOD, do people need to stop griping about the tremolo! Geez, people... if you don't like a full trem, don't use it yourselves! Being a big fan of theatre organs, I loved the effect, myself :-) Pity that thing doens't have a nice, theatrical style vox humana for you to add to that combination with the tibia ;-)

[techman85]

Thanks! I recorded this about 2 years ago, I should really do some more recordings. Thanks again for your comments!

[okera123]

Good playing. Like the registration changes. Want to hear some real different harmonic changes listen to Rodney Mills piano version.

[djbjr1130]

his "rendition" meaning the registration choices for each verse...

[DouglassMc]

A very very nice job. I am also an organist. Keep up the good work!

[joeyboi87]

just sounds like normal version to me??

[1musicluvr]

beautiful arrangement! this is one of my fav. songs for organ as well as piano! keep up the good work...we'll be watching for some more of yoiur videos!!

[scotto40]

Oh My...  you should play an Allen.. that Rodger looks like a lighted Christmas tree with all of those lighted drawknobs..

[jmeister321684]

Techman, it was entirely fine, both play and register wise! Best wishes for 2008! JW

[jeremoy]

Playing:very good. The speed: fine,good for congregational singing. Tremolo section a matter of taste,not my style. Something negative:brush up on your organ manipulation skills (changing of stops, etc etc.) could be smoother. To the organ paragons of virtue :1)They were not as "perfect" as they are now,and grew to where they are. 2)As my mother said to me: If you have nothing good to say, say nothing!

[tundratom1]

Personally, I thought the trems sounded just fine! Nothing wrong with a little tremolo now and then!

[luvuall07]

Lovely John, although I thought thr "tremelo" a little out of place. Pity we cannot duet together.

[stanmugs]

I adore you.

[tguodong]

Techman85,

Can I ask whether are you using United Methodist Hymnal for this hymn?

[techman85]

Good eye! Yes, I was.

[tguodong]

United Methodist Hymnal is very good. I was trying to play this UMH 117 but I notice I played in such a mess.

Best wishes,

TAN GUODONG

Wesley Methodist Church Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[tguodong]

Hi, I think that organ playing is good as long as people can sing. I have never attended any organ lessons before but I just started masquerading as organist playing the huge Allen organ during worship service. Well, my initial instrument is piano :)

By the way, I notice that my church organ has bass coupler. I wonder is it the one that helps people to avoid pedalling?

[jtm113]

The bass coupler may be good for the pianist who has to play the organ in an emergency but I,m afraid it can give an organist an excuse not to use the pedals.

[HeinzNetwork]

My church's organ has a bass coupler. I have never used it for a service. I think it sounds very choppy. It also will not play anything below a G for the bass note.

[tguodong]

Bass coupler works but you may need to skip playing the tenor part. I wish someone could post a youtube video about the disadvantage of bass coupler and the way it functions.

[Subass32]

A Bass Coupler is the (tab or stop) that allows you to not pedal. But there's a catch. You must be very careful when using it as it does not work about a certain note. Not sure which, each organ maker is different. However, taking the time to learn the pedal on each hymn is not a bad idea. And it will be quite rewarding when you pull it off! Give it a try! Best Wishes

[tguodong]

Yes and I am not sure bass coupler starts working from which note.

[techman85]

I was not using the bass coupler in this piece.

[pianoandpipes]

It is also helpful when starting in hymn playing to do pedal points so you can start to get the feel for the hymn sonorities before you try the moving pedal parts.

[kensingtonpalace]

approx. what year is this organ??

[techman85]

It was installed in 1994

[bradhorn14]

tremolo is great to use with classic baroque and french romantic solo voicing such as a flute et chaminade with a quiet mixture... not full ensemble. It sound to theatre organish.... just a suggestion

[techman85]

That was the aim, especially with the use of the tibia.

[caddyorganist]

Sounded very much like a theatre organ, it was great! Some of the tree manual Rodgers had a good Vox as a Voice Palette stop on the Swell too.

[esreagan]

Wow - ppl gripe about that trem. but I kinda like it. I wouldn't though if it was used for congregational singing. Anyway, When I heard the trem, I could tell it was a Rodgers - Allen's don't sound that well mixed. Good job honk'n it out for us, tech!

[JerzyDude732]

good playing. this is one of my favorite hymns.

[Chesterbarnes1]

Excellent hymn playing, I especially like the playing without the TREMOLO. Continue to play, and study.  Wonderful!

R. L. A

Virgina

[superwes1984]

Hey man, great job! Ignore the negative comments some have made on here. I am also a student organist and my organ teacher ( a fine organist) encourages me to try new registrations that are pleasing to me. He always stresses to me that there are no "set rules" to registrations, only guidelines. If you like the tremolo, then go for it. Also, loved the added reed towards the end of the next to last verse, and the last verse was a great ending. Well done!

[Chad732]

well done. one of my favs to play.

[cincy3waychili]

Techman,

I found you through a YouTube user named JStream4. Little did I know I would hear the very best rendition of Our God Our Help that I have EVER heard. Sir, I am 48 years old and have a very strong desire to learn how to minister with the Organ. You have given me the push that I have long needed. Thank you for your ministry through this grandest of instruments. Ora pro nobis!!!

[motobkemstr]

Very nice use of Tremulant.

[techman85]

Thank you so much for your comment!

[joe22twentytoo]

for a toaster it has a good sound. you showed it off well, i loved the wurli sound in the middle. joe

[is1943]

whats wrong with pipe organs

[lefeseboy]

"Dr." Virgil Fox? On what planet would they give a doctorate for playing like that?

I can't believe and serious school would even consider an electronic organ. What is wrong with you people?

[techman85]

I believe Dr. Fox received an honorary doctorate from Bucknell University.

[kajmarcussen]

My favorite hymn - touches the soul

[missionaryorganist]

Very nice, I think your registrations are fine. Personally, I would avoid the tremelo, but that is taste, as you have stated. I think that as we face a shortage of organists serving the church, we should be a bit more gracious to others in our line of work. I think some of the harsh comments that are posted on any of these organ videos are an indicator of a problem within the greater organist community.

Serve God well, with your playing.

[techman85]

Thank you for your wonderful comments!

[lefeseboy]

What kind of "college" uses an electronic organ?!!

[techman85]

The organ is digital and the reverberation in the space makes anyone believe it is a real pipe organ. It is fantastic at the chapel.

[mogemoets]

try G ------as a pedal tone----when you improvise before the last stanza------it's a bit more confincing to the ear that you intend to improvise...

are you sure you want to connect the tune to the Amen at the end...?

Well played!

Nice hair BTW

The organ you play on---probably DOES convince people that it's a pipe organ----

you poor dears..

Martin

[FrCusus]

That Rodgers wouldn't have me fooled for a moment.

[techman85]

The audio quality of course is much better in the space than on a youtube video.

[Chesterbarnes1]

Techman where is this college located. State?

Thanks

[techman85]

It's Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

[Chesterbarnes1]

The organ looks like a 3 man.. Allen or Rodgers am I correct Techman.

Thanks

RLA

[caddyorganist]

Lots of universities have electronic organs in their chapels. I'd rather have a good digital organ in the chapel than no organ or a crappy pipe organ.

[organpipe8]

I wish people would just try to enjoy the music for what it is instead of criticizing me. Youtube has been a great way for organists to show others their music.

VERY WELL STATED... you play beautifully with feeling, now a days hard to find young artist enjoying Christian music, keep spreading the Gospel through your music... great job !

[caddyorganist]

Not bad. I think some people (bihonning) need to get their heads out of their posteriors. Others are right. Multiple verses with nothing but a change of registration can be a bit bland. I loved the trems by the way! There are no "rules" for registrations, just guidelines! Keep up the good work.

[liamdaly20]

Coming from an organ layperson - my brother got the talent, he's the pro musician - I think it's pretty good. A little rough around the edges perhaps, but I enjoyed it.

[techman85]

I just want to say that I never intended this to be objectionable to anyone. I'm only playing the organ here! I wish people would just try to enjoy the music for what it is instead of criticizing me. Youtube has been a great way for organists to show others their music.

[techman85]

Which registrations seemed misguided? I would like to learn.

[piercetheorganist]

(A) None of the registrations seemed misguided, but they were not very imaginative, and not in a logical order; also, there was no real "building". (B) You did not play the song correctly for organ (though you did for piano). (C) A zillion verses of the same tune in the same key gets BORING. Transpose! (D) It was not horrible; I'm being picky.

[Salmagundiii]

Well, Bihonning was too harsh with "The stops used and the hideous tremolo exhibit a musical taste so low and crude as never to be cast in the face of listeners" - but I have to admit it has an erudite ring to it haha! But yeah, I think that tremolo for chordal passages is nasty. Especially for a hymn based on a tune over 300 years old, it's just wrong. For something more gospel-ly it might have a place. You are brave to post here though, and you have my respect.

[techman85]

Thank you for your comment, but I still do not believe there is right and wrong when it comes to organ registration. It is all a matter of taste as is most art.

[riverscuomo06]

now that's where you are wrong. there are correct and incorrect ways to registrate pieces.

[techman85]

I don't believe organ registration is on a correct or incorrect basis. There are conditions in which certain styles are liked by some and not by others. Dr. Virgil Fox would probably believe of different registrations than E. Power Biggs. What would you say are "correct" registrations?

[riverscuomo06]

i just mean like for certain pieces the way the should be registrated like based on time period or what not. you know? there is still room for personal preference, but i feel there is a basic way any type of piece should be registrated.

[bihonning]

I can only say this performance of one of our beautiful hymn tunes shows no sense of what beauty is. He is trampling away as if this were a Sally Army marching song.

One wonders why, in any of the arts, the Americans neverget one inch beneath the glittering surface.

If a professional organist like myself played in this manner he would soon be an "organist" without a profession and the whole Church of England would rise in protest and demand him being strung up in the nearest bass pipe.........

[ccoraxfan]

"One wonders why, in any of the arts, the Americans neverget one inch beneath the glittering surface."

One wonders why some people find it so easy to cast stones, and whether it's true that all Americans are perfectly alike, just as all Englishmen are all alike.

[footlover1685]

Very nice. I am an organist as well. You are cute too!

[bihonning]

First, I do appreciate such polished language as you think fit.

It shows a rare seriousness, -just like as your comments show a rare musical insight. To call a hymn tune a "solo work" can only be smiled at. Anyone can use the stops of his/her own choice. The stops used and the hideous tremolo exhibit a musical taste so low and crude as never to be cast in the face of listeners. He certainly needs to be told what musical quality is.

Real music is not made by just hammering away on some keys.

[pzimmer]

and some people need to shut their mouths

[Green4321]

I enjoyed this very much. I hope you will find time to post more.

[Jm4steam]

very nice.

[posaune16]

Pay no attention to a certain detractor - it was grand, and I liked the last verse registration - were you using the "solo" feature?

[techman85]

yes to add the chamade on the top of the great

[posaune16]

The organs I play on a regular basis don't possess that feature - I wish they did. Again, it was wonderful.

[Salmagundiii]

Not to be fussy but as techman advances in skills he will be able to do it without the "feature". It's easy for an AGO-qualified organist to do, and the very good ones can compose a whole counter melody on top of the hymn.

[posaune16]

I, myself, am not adept at on-the-spot rearrangement of hymns, I'd love to have such a feature. As to your remark about "AGO qualified organists," I urge you not to place all of your faith in the AGO - I know many gifted organists who will have nothing to do with it. I personally have yet to find a chapter that operates as anything more than a snobby organist club, therefore earning the AGO the more appropriate acronymn "SOC," in my book ;-)

[organpipe8]

Very Nice... Enjoyed your rendition - 5 Stars :-)

[mbmale21]

Very nice, my favorite Hymn, second only to "Come Thou Fount" to the tune "Nettleton" I enjoyed the tremelo myself, and the build on the last verse, very nice, I am a young student organist myself, and very much love to find other younger people devoted to the organ and sacred music.

[bihonning]

Last comment, It is 1 a.m. here. Playing with someone singing is not and should not be any different. This is a CHORALE, -not a street call. It is a piece of music written for a text to be sung. Why do the Americans always think that music, -or any other art,

should be done in the same way as playing baseball ??

[pzimmer]

but no-one was singinf - and he interpred the hymn to his desire. Why is it that Europeans are such snobs? any negative comments I get on my vids are all from Europeans, most witch have never touched and organ.

[bihonning]

"Old doctrines" ?? -Bollocks. This has got nothing to do with old or new. You're are trying to pick a rose with boxing gloves on, -not least with the registration for the last verse, which leaves the listener with his or her brain and ears blown to smithereens by the roar of an attacking Leopard tank.

Registrations cannot be dictated by another person. It is a matter of finesse and sensibility and,

-not least musical taste.

[mac9erfan]

In that case turn down your speakers

[bihonning]

Have you ever heard of a device called breathing space for the singers ?? -

Besides, your electronic sound box sounds like a fire engine siren. What about trying a genuine organ just for once ?

[techman85]

Of course playing while someone is singing is far different. One must always take into account that factor. And, yes. I have played on pipe organs before.

[rrchapman]

No, this is a Rodgers organ--not electronic. It is pipe. Personally, I haven't heard a Rodgers yet that I like.

There is also the issue of trying to record the sound of any pipe organ. It is difficult to get right for professionals. This is an amateur recording. I can cut some slack. It isn't like I paid to listen to this recording.

[bihonning]

The hammock-like tremolo is so awfully American......

-incredibly bad taste, -as are all the other registrations. Virgil Fox, the Liberace of the organ has left his indelible mark on all. What we hear here is but "music" with a sledge hammer! "What is it now that roareth thus? -Could it be a motor bus ?"

This was once a beautiful hymn tune, -not written for the Sally Army.

[techman85]

I believe that music is not restricted to old doctrines that must be upheld. Music evolves. I know that my rendition is not the most amazing performance, ever...but I do not think it was done in bad taste. Please inform me on what registrations you would find suitable?

[notyobs]

Oh right!! I'm not very good at it either, so I buy books which specialise in giving harmonies for last verses... makes all the difference!

[notyobs]

Nice, but I was so looking forward to hearing some different harmonies in later verses.... and they never came!

[techman85]

Thanks for the comment. I wish I knew how to make up different harmonies for the other verses. I haven't been able to figure that out yet

[pmo1969]

Is this how u would play it at a Service?

[techman85]

not generally...i would probably not use the heavy flute vibrato during a service...but i would crescendo during the length of the piece.

[organflick]

any influences by Virgil Fox?

[techman85]

heh. Yes indeed! I love Dr. Fox and I listen to his recordings often.

[19lfm12]

Ah - but you missed less notes then Fox would have:p Very well done - you're hired (lol)! Quite singable rythym, and interesting registrations. I would never use celestes - BUT you made it work! While no fan of electronics, I agree that Rogers sound better then Allen, in general. The mark of a good organist is to make an organ sound good, regardless of any flaws or limitations. And I think that you can do that quite well. Thanks!

The Foghorn en Chamade at the end was a nice touch:)