Bach - Choral Prelude ''Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme'' BWV 645

[luiarepa12345]

una buena pieza aunque un poco rapida!!

[Fireball1787]

Ton Koopman: Wonderful organist and all-round musician!

[yanniblueman]

Beautiful playing =D

Hehehe, because of the inverted colors on the manuals, at first i thought this was an interpretation on Harpsichord.

[registrant5]

Heerlijk orgel, dijk van een organist, maar een veeeeeeeel te hoog tempo. Waarom nou ?? nergens voor nodig !!!

[kimujb]

Das ist keineswegs zu schnell. Dem Choral liegt der Text "Zion hört die Wächter singen, das Herz tut mir vor Freuden springen. Sie wachet und steht eilend auf......" Da kann und darf es gar nicht langsamer sein, sonst würde nichts vor Freuden springen und eilend aufstehen. Bach hat da wieder wunderbar den Text vertont - wie immer!

[KirchenChris]

@stevtomato Dann scheint mir, dass Herr Koopman kein absolutes Gehör hat, sonst würde er bei einer höher gestimmten Orgel Probleme beim spielen bekommen.

[KirchenChris]

Ist die Orgel höher gestimmt????

Sehr schöner Klang. Der Choral ist für meinen Geschmack ein bischen zu schnell.

[stevtomato]

@KirchenChris Ja, es scheint die Orgel höher gestimmt zu sein. Ton Koopman spielt/dirigiert diesen Choral für meinen Geschmack auch immer viel zu schnell... xD

[Improvisata]

Nice.

[vanburikwouter]

Ton Koopman quote about this performance: some organists play it faster then I do. Some people think I do it to fast but that is their problem XD

[suuus1995]

Which organ is this?



[vanburikwouter]

@suuus1995 It's the great Silbermann organ

[vanburikwouter]

@suuus1995 Edit: it's the Silbermann organ in Freiburg, Germany

[frenchiecocorico1]

@vanburikwouter Yes the builder of Freiburg im Breisgau cathedral organ is actually Gottfried Silbermann (1683-1753). He was the brother and the pupil in organ building of Andreas Silbermann (1678-1734). These two brothers shared the business territories. Gottfried worked in Bade Würtemberg while Andreas worked in Alsace, the next door region which was part of France yet. Both of them are famous. Andreas learned french organ building in Paris (1704-1706) with François Thierry

[mirodziki]

W jakim kościele gra ?

[Mrababab121212]

zu schnell ZU Schnell ZUSCHNELL und die Triller - nein - I am sorry you are brilliant no doubt and no matter I cannot condone this kind of playing my works - Why - is the Church on fire and firebrigade nowherere to be seen - sorrry for my mediocre English - JSBach Hochachtungsvoll von Leipzig as you know

[vanburikwouter]

Why is it said that this is a transcription from the Cantate Wachet auf ruft uns die stimme (BWV 140)? it's clearly from Zion hört die Wächter singe

[Malloyism]

I prefer the "NON" mechanical Bach. This is just that. Great. Why oh why did he have to fuck everythin g up tho with his annoying mechanical crap he wrote as well.

[philateliceun]

@Malloyism fuck you, there is nothing annoying and crappy about any of bachs music.

[Malloyism]

@philateliceun According to you mate. A purist no doubt. I most definately am not. GFH never bothered himself with that mechnicval crap just to please the likes of you. he only composed music pleasing to the ear not the mind.

[philateliceun]

@Malloyism Your ear doesn't understand music, only your brain does. I can understand you don't like the style but to call it crap is just being a arrogant know it all.

[Malloyism]

@philateliceun Not true Sir. I said only his mechanical stuff. I like most of JSB music just not the fast repetative style. His harmonies and choral pieces are very pleasing to the ear.  french Suite played on either piano.harpsichord or organ is my fave. cheeers

[Stehnz]

@Malloyism I think you obviously know nothing about Bach, and about music as well. So, dont talk about what you cant understand

[Malloyism]

@philateliceun I like a lot of music lovers do not wish to understand music. We simply wish to enjoy what is pleasing to our ears mate. I cant understand you. Why is it almighty neccesary to have to understand music. Why cant i just enjoy some of it and dislike some of it. Your an idiot .

[philateliceun]

@Malloyism What? If you read a book do you just read the letters or do you try to understand the book? If you look at a painting do you just look at it and hope something comes at you or do you try to understand why the painter painted what he painted? Same with music, you can just sit there and let the waves hit your eardrum or you can try to understand why he chose those notes or why he chose that theme or instrument. And sir, I am certainly not an idiot, asshole would be correct though.

[philateliceun]

@Malloyism And ofcourse you can dislike stuff, I never said you can't. Its just that when you say stuff like mechanical crap you sound very ignorant . I myself don't like Mozart, I get bored listening to it but I will never call it monotone crap cause I know it isn't and I would be very ignorant in saying so. If you call the music of the greatest composer who ever walked this earth crap just because you don't like it it comes over as being a bit of an ignorant asshole.

[edwald1969]

Is he trying to catch up with MCA?

[campanesganny]

Perchè " corre" così non riesco ad Amare tutti i suoni!!!!!!!!!

[renatoamoroso]

Es ist zu schnell.

[SuperBabel2]

Ce tempo illustre bien ce thème des vierges sages et des vierges folles, très bon ! D.BABEL

[frenchiecocorico1]

@SuperBabel2 Ben ça alors. Et moi qui croyais que c'était le choral du Veilleur (ce qui correspond au titre) ! Ce serait donc celui des vierges folles ou des vierges sages. Autre nouvelle surprenante, on peut donc être sage et folle à moins que ce ne soit folle et sage ? Quelle panade..

[SuperBabel2]

@frenchiecocorico1 bonjour, cher ami...ne pas connaitre ce thème des vierges folles et des vierges sages dénote une inculture gigantesque, au lieu de moquer, mettez-vous donc au courant de ce thème tellement connu...! D.BABEL

[frenchiecocorico1]

@SuperBabel2 Vis à vis d'un organiste qui connait ce choral et son histoire depuis de nombreux lustres, votre remarque est idiote.

Mon observation était humoristique, mais votre commentaire démontre que vous n'avez aucune subtilité d'esprit ni aucun humour. Croyez vous être seul à detenir la culture ?

Ce choral doit être appelé le " choral du veilleur" car il correspond à l'air de ténor de la cantate BWV140 où le veilleur appelle les vierges à se réveiller ( Mathieu Chap 25 vers. 1 à 13)

[SuperBabel2]

@frenchiecocorico1 Hé bien, voila ! je constate que vous savez vous rattraper, bel effort, je salue...bravo ! D.BABEL

[frenchiecocorico1]

@SuperBabel2 Je n'ai eu aucun effort à faire pour me "rattraper" alors que c'est vous qui vous êtes rétaler, c'est là toute la différence. Ne prenez pas votre cas pour une généralité qui ne me concerne pas ...dommage !

[SuperBabel2]

@frenchiecocorico1 Décidément, sans commentaire!!! (soignez tout de même la syntaxe, et surveillez vos fautes d’orthographe...) car à ce moment, le prétendu ridicule change de camp... D.BABEL

[frenchiecocorico1]

@SuperBabel2 Commencez par surveiller vous même votre orthographe et votre syntaxe avant de donner des conseils aux autres. Vous démontrez une fois encore que le ridicule s'acharne sur vous. Surtout soyez plus modeste et circonspect dans vos jugements.

[MacyMabelle]

Lovely! Suprising but very nice tempo! It's not too fast but joyful. This is a perfect example how you can create almost a new piece of the same piece with a new tempo. Well done!

[Starreacher29]

The tempo was, at first, surprising...then, grew on me...until I became mesmerized and hey, why not? He plays beautifully.

[bihonning]

As usual Mr Koopman seems to be saying "Listen mum, how fast I can play"

As usual it is 10 % Bach and 90 % Koopman.

[rcabeceiras]

I enjoyed the interpretation. The tempo made it lovely!

[Bleecker32]

 I heard he had bad diarrhea.

[Tom111267]

Yes, its too fast! Im professional musician too... Music means for me to FEEL anything... not to show how nice and quick i can play an uneasy trio piece on the organ... I really apreciate the phrasing and detailed work in all three voices, but the tempo destroys the feeling for me.

[PTR131]

The tempo is perfect.

[PaulusLXXX]

Ton Koopman, GENIAL. Una interpretación impecable. Gracias.

[AlecTrevalyn]

slow and pronounced .... fast and clear .... the possibilities are even infinite ... and I must say: most of them are fantastic .... even this ... :-)

[pablov1973]

Dejá respirar la musica por el amor de cielo!!! ¿Tenes que volver a tu casa que estas tan apurado?

[Machru]

Being an organist myself, I DO find this to be a little too fast and static, but what a performance! His technique is divine! Would love to hear him play the famous F Major Toccata by Widor!

[DarivsArgentina]

Es muy conmovedor la trama, las vicisitudes de la melodía en su dinámica, su tropismo ascendente. concuerdo con clashtitans2: impresionante rendimiento! lleno de vitalidad

[nonnopirro52]

Brrravo Ton!

[clashtitans2]

amazing performance! filled with vitality and a sense of movement from Bach's rich harmonies.

[jtingyz]

for those who think the tempo is too fast, try Andre Isoir's version.

[renaissoque777]

Wonderfully played. I like most of Koopman's interpretations. They are full of life. Thanks for sharing.

[poopingeneral]

I just shed a tear of joy....

[Samoriah]

I have no idea how anybody can be that coordinated.

[mbrsart]

This is one of my favorite pieces of all time, and by far my favorite of Bach's chorale preludes. Its beauty brings tears to my eyes.

[Darkboy2525]

aa still listing it like every week 2 times .. and evertime I lisitng it .. I got tears .. this is SOO beautifull

[mrleoviolino]

Ton is the best organ player I know, he can play with great articulation differences

[themates46]

Great registration. 5/5. :D

[DeusMisereremei]

Simply horrible!!! :( Poor Bach!

[Mike1245690]

@DeusMisereremei such a poor opinion, you should tell us why do you think this is ''horrible''

[DeusMisereremei]

@Mike1245690 Dear friend, I think so because Ton Koopman betrays the real Bach's taste and Bach's mind. We know how Bach wants we play the organ. J.N. Forkel, a great friend of his sons, tells us that he played the organ as a choir singing an hymn: spiritual, solemn, not fast, with a great liturgic taste. Koopman is a very good harpsichordist, but on he plays the organ without respect Bach's wishes. We have to listen Schweitzer, Germani, Vierne and Ruebsam, if we want to listen really Bach.

[geuros]

@DeusMisereremei I like Koopman's tempo but that's all. In my opinion Koopman made too many mordents and trills... If you wanna know who's my favourite organist my answer is direct - Martin Sander. Try to find his CD on the net, his recordings of Passacaglia c moll or Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland are amazing.

[DeusMisereremei]

@Mike1245690 And forgive me for my very bad english. I am an Italian boy! :)

[sirhonestharry]

Idk if its him... but someone here is totally loaded no joke

[TheLivingHeiromartyr]

Which organ is this? Koopman seems to play most of his organ works on this

[MisterRudolf]

@TheLivingHeiromartyr

It's the great Silbermann-Organ of the St.Mary's Church at Freiberg, Sachsen, Germany.

[Classicalguy12]

I wouldn't play it any faster than that.

[gerd6604]

Great!!!!!!!!!!

[murcia1975]

Awesome...Bach forever and ever..

[LikeWiseLikeYou]

I agree, I think this piece should be played slightly faster. It's such a movingly beautiful melody--these kinds of pieces have the ability to really materialize the Lord in all of His glory. I think this particular organ has a wonderful sound, and I personally love the interpretation. I understand, perhaps Bach meant it to run slightly slower... but this performance certainly gives this piece justice. I could listen to this forever.

[WSamuelJackson]

I loved this interpretation. In my opinion, it is played entirely too slow most of the time, so this is very refreshing.

[JosePedroMoutinho]

Koopman for me is undoubtedly the best interpreters of Baroque music (in this case of Bach). An ability to combine rigorous historicist inventiveness and novelty, particularly in ornamentation, phrasing and breath articulation. Moreover, for composers and musicians of the Baroque period, the improvisation was much more frequent than is practiced today in the interpretations.

And Bach is a genius, by far my favorite composer!

[JosePedroMoutinho]

Koopman for me is undoubtedly the best interpreters of Baroque music (in this case of Bach). An ability to combine rigorous historicist inventiveness and novelty, particularly in ornamentation, phrasing and articulation of breath work. Moreover, for composers and musicians of the Baroque period, the improvisation was much more frequent than is practiced today in the interpretations.

And Bach is a genius, by far my favorite composer!

[MisterRudolf]

Das Tempo ist grandios! normalerweise schläft man bei dem Stück ein. aber hier ist wirklich eine dynamik drin, die einen automatisch mitsummen lässt!

[88washme]

this shit is waayy too damn fast

[TheKingOfAmazement]

amazing

[RevdRichard]

What a superb rendition. Tempo a bit surprising at first, but it reveals the joy of the piece, and will now inform my listening to other performances. Thank you Mr Koopman.

[Marzziooo]

Is not it a part of BWV 140?

[rrchapman]

@Marzziooo Bach transcribed and adapted the 4th movement (tenor solo) from BWV 140 into an organ solo work, BWV 645.

[Marzziooo]

@rrchapman Thank you for the explanation!

[vousavezditbaroque]

Merci Mr Koopman, on redécouvre à chacune de vos interprétations ce qui avait été oublié...la pulsation baroque parce qu'elle nécessite une technique parfaite et que beaucoup d'organistes ne maitrisent pas cette technique de l'instrument...alors ils diront que le tempo est trop rapide mais ce n'est en fait qu'une excuse pour la paresse de leurs mains de de leurs pieds ....peu arriveront à rendre à l'œuvre de Bach cette pulsation ....on disait aussi à Bach qu'il jouait trop vite !!!

[stephaniejimmymatt]

Somebody should make an alarm clock that plays this.

[grandadpoppyable]

my mobile phone does tho it has no bass to speak of.

[grandadpoppyable]

my mobile phone does tho it has no bass to speak of.

Tho I get ur point about the clock.

[nyantasystems]

The Organ is singing by his Technique.

[MkdMetalec]

@artois54 You are seriously wrong. The tempo is just good. and non-musician and hecan't feel bach's music??? You know less about yourself that koopman knows about bach.

[melvis24]

Erfrischend!

[88washme]

this guy has rubber consoles on,an organ player ones told me u need leather soles on to slide acrose the petals to make more easyer for me?

[88washme]

i love sleepers awake, ad i love that noise too ans i also think that this is a good tempo along with it too

[ilovemybestvideos]

how can you not like this? its a wonderful song and reminds me of something...i've been knowing it for years... o.o

[Giulia142593]

one of my all time favourites <3 thank you!

[fossosejore]

troppa fretta!

[ANTOONMAKA]

Un Grand pour la musique de JS BACH!

[TheKingOfAmazement]

What a beautiful looking console. The organ sounds amazing

[pievatol]

where is this church?

[amicoassoluto70]

That this organ is used by the teacher? In which church is it?

[geuros]

Simply nice! Beautiful registration. Organ and church are both amazing. This choral is in E flat major, but organ are transposed +2 semi-tones, so it's in F major. I like his articulation too. All in all, it's perfect.

[DemonSlayerThe3rd]

This song is on my Yamaha Keyboard and I play it all the time, I love it!

[violinistx100]

Mr.Koopman's wonderfuuuul!!!!!!

[buriedverydeep]

JSB wrote it for St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, and the probable first execution was on November 25 1731

[12345qazx1]

the better one compared to other interpretations, one wakes up by Koopman, and as an extra a beautifull registering.i like it but cant be awake moving in his tempo.

[musicaorganum]

How can one possibly ask ''how come it would be so very boring if we all performed at the same tempo?!'' What a stupid question! Isn't it obvious?! Why do you think that there are so many different performers/conductors/artists who record the complete works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, etc. which have already been recorded thousands of times?! Answer. . . because it gives us DIFFERENT interpretations. This is why we all have our favorite performers and interpreters. Different people move us.

[advisorC101]

May I take a liberty add onto your comments about interpretation? The thing most people fail to realize about this is that the true Baroque style, "Stylus Phantasticus", is how they composed music, understood it and performed. It basically means no limits, total freedom. Bach's music is made to be played differently. A modern understanding of the music never works with Baroque music, "To play exactly as Bach did", a truly obsolete pretense. Bach would have played it differently every time.

[musicaorganum]

You are exactly right, Sir. It seems that people do indeed fail to realize this. We know for a fact that teachers of the Baroque era taught their students (as they were taught) to perform the music freely. And as you mentioned, we also know that they DID NOT perform the works the same each time. Having said that, it is also known to us (from sources of that period; via various students, colleagues, and parishioners) that Bach himself was known to play quite briskly.

[advisorC101]

@musicaorganum, Bach shocked and offended those closed minded Lutheran congregations of his early years. The ones that preferred a simple and straightforward approach to their music in the church services. It's just nature, when ever are tree's exactly the same? During seasons they change, and over their life they grow. People think that period performance is like building a bridge back to the stone age, all those that think so have no idea how horribly wrong they are.

[advisorC101]

For any real musician, Bach's music is absolutely endless. Just like his mind was. Pardoning myself from period performance for a moment, I also like hearing Bach's music on the piano or a Cavaille-Coll organ, and for me at least it works beautifully. Because it is so intricately crafted, in a universal way. Karl Richter says in an interview on YT that if one isn't inspired with new ideas of how to play a piece, (that are inspired directly by the composer), you play it with a disdainful routine.

[advisorC101]

And the fact is that the best interpretations come through consummate, artistic knowledge of the music and of the composer. This isn't an aimless interpretation (like some people that I won't name), it's Baroque poetry incarnate through sound. The idea is creating new life, that life, and either way you look at it, this radiates endlessly from a master composer like Bach through his scores. The color is there for all of us to find, it's just that some have no awareness of it and prefer "safety".

[advisorC101]

@advisorC101, the color for all our own personalities.

[musicaorganum]

I couldn't agree with you more!

[advisorC101]

To those complaining about the tempo. As far as the matter is concerned it's "sleepers wake up", not sleepers go back to sleep.

[musicaorganum]

Thank you for your comment! There were many times when I have heard this piece performed, I felt as if I were at a funeral rather than a joyous occasion or such. This is supposed to be a happy piece.

[OrganoAeternam]

@advisorC101 Koopman also explains in a directors cut on this DVD (or perhaps another one I have) that he knows that some organist disagree with his tempo. His response is simply, "I don't really care, they can play it their way."

[Marzziooo]

@advisorC101 This is the greatest comment about Bach's correct Tempo ever done on internet! Seriously ;-D

[advisorC101]

@Marzziooo, I'm not the one who thought of it though. There's a video somewhere on youtube where a wonderful young musician made that comment, I only now just remembered that. ^^;

[Afaral1989]

@advisorC101 I love this comment. Anyone who questions koopman's interpretation of Bach's music I just shake my head and laugh. First off I would love to see people who question his interpretation of the piece to A) play the piece in the first place and B) play it with as much showmanship and character as Koopman does. Lets get some freakin educations people. The organ is tuned higher than the modern "standard" of 440. So yes it sounds like its in F major. We know people...

[advisorC101]

@Afaral1989, I disagree with you totally. Everyone has the right to question another's preferences for their playing a piece. It does not matter if they can or can not play it, that's just empty Ad Hominem.

[Afaral1989]

@advisorC101 Go listen to someone else play it then....

[advisorC101]

@Afaral1989, Why are you directing that at me? I haven't even said anything against Koopman. I was only pointing out that your contention is an empty refutation. Read the comment properly before you reply.

[Afaral1989]

@advisorC101 Stop using big words to make yourself look smart, it just makes you sound like a lonely virgin. Plus read my comment correctly first.... i was saying i liked your comment about it being sleepers awake not go back to sleep. the second half of my comment was directed at you though. it was two all the other people whining about how it sounds like it is in F major. Fucking eh people. Your not the only one in world with perfect pitch. Stop bitching...

[advisorC101]

@Afaral1989, If anyone here's bitching it's some empty guy like you who only gives a damn about fucking. Read my comments again you retard. It doesn't fucking matter what you were praising. I was only pointing out that you make a pointless statement about people who have a disagreeing opinion [ON THE PLAYING]. I actually agree about your comment on the pitch of the organ. Try growing a brain instead of an erection you fuckwit.

[robbayay]

@advisorC101 in that case why don't we listen to the buzzing of an alarm clock?

[advisorC101]

@robbayay, I prefer washing machines.

[harveyfreitas]

@advisorC101 technically its sleepers awake to be precise! :p

[nonnopirro52]

@advisorC101 ahahah, bellissimo!

[musicaorganum]

''Too fast,'' says who?! Did Bach himself say so? It might be a little more brisk than how others are used to hearing it, but it does not make this performance too fast. It is supposed to be happy piece. I too, play it at around this tempo. Many times have I heard this piece performed and felt as if it were composed for the Lenten season rather than the Advent season. If we all performed at the same tempo everything would be so very boring.

[ngroschen]

@letsgowest

Tempo has little to nothing to do with what instrument the player chooses to use. Tempo refers to the speed at which the player performs the piece.

[hnaef83]

Lots of these comments say 'Too fast!', but the way I see it that doesn't even make sense unless the speed detracts from the music. The opposite is happening here -- I think Koopman's choice of tempo brings out the rhythm of the piece better than any rendition I've ever heard. So don't complain that it doesn't sound the way you're used to -- remember that you're always listening to two people: the composer and the performer, and that each of us hears different things in every piece of music.

[RedWasabii]

@hnaef83 It's true that each of us hear different things in every piece of music but I think this speed hinders the understanding between a first time listener and the piece. Sure if you played this piece before on an organ, it's comfortable to listen at this tempo but I think overall, it's meant to be played at a tempo that doesn't drag but is easily comprehendable.

[Cama115]

You are good, but you play it too fast (:

[leonboelmann]

...scusate....sono Italiano!

[leonboelmann]

....quanta ingiustizia....e poi ci sono i preti...

sono stanco di dover dire bravo...

si sa' ..sono bravi ,ma possono studiare, hanno mezzi che per noi sono fantascienza, non hanno fra le scatole preti ignoranti e istituzioni corrotte...

e in chiesa, oltre a pagare l'organista...fanno

suonare l'organo e i turisti non appestano le funzioni sacre..e gli incapaci non dirigono i cori...Non si puo' parlare di digiuno a chi ha fame(a buon

intenditor).scusate lo sfogo!

[GarthW2]

very well done-- just too fast

[fynnjamin]

definitely a wake-up call! Love it - which stop is he playing the chorale melody on?

[pcstratmanB]

Definitely with the Trompet 8' on the Hauptwerk. Possibly also with the HW Principal 4'

[nijlie74]

Erg knap wat Ton Koopman hier doet, maar het is veel te snel, dat is jammer.

[KurochanNeco]

I love this music especially now, at Christmas time...

[andreone85]

Amazing, really. Ton Koopman is one of the best organ players of our years. Great.

[aelf29]

Why so fast!?

[dropletdreamcometrue]

Because the words say:

"Zion hears the watchmen sing; her heart springs in joy; she awakens and rises in haste; ..."

[mallubhai0MBBS]

True, for Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme it's a bit fast. But that's one of the greatness of Bach symphonies, it defy speed and time :)

[Timrath]

Most satisfying answer: because he can. :-p

[FilmTraum23]

Wenn ich die Augen schliesse und diese Musik hoere ist die Welt wieder in

Ordnung!Kein Hass, kein Krieg oder Hunger, kein Leiden! Nur Frieden und

Verstaendnis und Freude!

Thanks for posting this vid!

[hnaef83]

Why the hell did FilmTraum23's comment get a 'thumbs down'? It was an appropriately appreciative comment on a very beautiful piece of music. I have accordingly given it a 'thumbs up' to cancel out that particular bit of YouTube idiocy.

For my two penn'orth: this is one of my favourite chorales, played by one of my favourite organists. I'll say it too -- thanks for posting this vid!

[Lucasguitarrita]

Where was this fantastic recording? ¿Alguien sabe en qué iglesia están grabados estos videos?

[WolfgangSebastien]

Dom St. Marien, Sachsen Deutschland