Nathan Laube in Recital: Choral No. 1 in E (part one)- César Franck

[originaltommy]

Not only is this an exceptionally brilliant performance, but could this organ be possibly voiced any better? WOW!

[Owenbob]

You seldom hear playing as musical as this, Wonderful!

[steelersfanhawaii]

on the first three pages, nothing wrong with 'cheating' by helping out the left hand by picking up the lowest not in the pedal, just turn OFF all pedal 16's

[Shenandoah58]

My take on this is........When I play......I economize my body movement as much as possible......BUT......that is because I need to read every note.....I always have to have the score in front of me. But this man has the score memorized and I guess he can just enjoy it and flow with the music. Certainly cannot complain about the interpretation!!!!!!

[ONDAPRODUCTION]

Very good ! 

[MrConservativ]

Controlled upper body motion adds to expression on a resistive keyboard instrument like the piano, but it is pointless on the organ. What really annoys me, however, is his manual technique, often straightening out his fingers with his wrists raised like he's poking the keys down - but his playing sounds fantastic, so I'm willing to overlook it!

[raylorjwilliam]

Hey if a musician's body language while playing annoys you better not watch Keith Jarrett play live. That will really piss you off. And eve he sings along with his fantastic extemporizing. The world's greatest jazz improvisor in my opinion. Anyway who cares it's the music that's important.

[The48robert]

What depth of expression from the composer and performer!!!!!!

[claviergoren]

The is the most beautiful of all the Franck chorales. Thanks for such a thoughtful interpretation.

[MusicPredominates]

I would like to know how the sound is improved by waving the head to and fro !

[robertgift]

Wonderful performance!

(Body "english" is distracting)

Fromemory is the best way to play!

[MusicPredominates]

@robertgift : So is "Body 'german'" !

[dougjensen]

@robertgift and others:

Emotive performers (and there are quite a number of wonderful organ and piano performers on YouTube who are at least this emotive) add to my enjoyment. Stone statue musicians are like stage actors reciting Shakespeare without moving any muscles except their mouths -- now THAT is distracting!

[dougjensen]

@robertgift You do not have any way to know whether this or any other performer is "exagerating for show, you are not a mind reader.

[robertgift]

@dougjensen Since others and I play this without all that movement, it appears artificial, exaggerated. Imagine what he would look like playing BWV 577 (Gigue fugue)

[quovadismusicRo]

Wonderful interpretation! Cesar Frank would be happy to hear this very expressive version.

[meknight77]

I love Nathans playing here - so full of emotion, sparkling technique and passion.

I've read some of the posts here and I feel that his head movements are totally in keeping with the amount of soul his music evokes.

Each little inflection and side-ward glance gives us a peep at the intensity and depth of this mans soul. The rush and shallowness of our consumerist world leaves little time or room for heartfelt emotion - so just take some time to revel in the space this piece provides.

[MusicPredominates]

@meknight77 That is a load of rubbish. Instead of pretending that he is a bird half way between a hen and an ostrich, he should be listening to himself play !

[unkastacky]

Really lovely.  Bravo.

[PeterRabbit001]

Thank you, for posting this beautiful piece beautifully played on a beautifully voiced instrument. You have made this Toobster very joyful today.

[mikedc2020]

Gorgeous.

[felix1360]

I would prefer a room with some more resonance, it is too dry, Otherwise an excellent performance!

[cctunes]

This is magnificent. Period.

[LaDivinaAriell]

Anyone who says anything negative is just jealous. I take my hat off to you, young man. Wonderful performance, and from memory - even better. Love it. Would love to see more videos by you.

[dennisferrara1]

Stunning performance and the this instrument is a superb as its performer!

[musicaorganum]

Give me a break! People don't like the movements of his head. Then simply close your eyes, listen to the music which is obviously pouring out of him and shut the fuck up. This is an excellent performance!

[cromorne]

I love the camera pan throught the swell and all over the Vox Humana.

[ryorgan]

I've played the organ for some 50 yrs yet some people say there was no feeling and others criticize his body movements. Why do you think we move? Do you think we have hemroids? We each put feelings into our playing. Don't make dumb comments unless you've sat down at an organ and really played in which case you would probably compliment this wonderful young man.

[cromorne]

Great way of putting it. Althought around the turn of the century in France, it was in vogue to not make an extraneous movements. I believe there is a video on youtube somewhere of Louis Vierne playing a Bach chorale like a statue. Not that I would ever play like that (and I agree, Nathan Laube is a great musician), but just saying.

[steelersfanhawaii]

Is the solo a floating division? Three expression pedals: choir, swell, and solo?

[pippotrippo67]

he doesn't give me any emotion. I think he's a perfect machine. NO MUSIC in his performance

[artea360]

Are you kidding?

[joeyboi87]

he keeps shacking his head which is annoying though

[joeyboi87]

absolutely beautiful, I havnt played this for a while actually whis is dissapointing because its a rather difficult piece to learn and I dont want to go through the hassle of re learning it!

[wljmrbill]

I have played for 40 years and also have done a number of concerts.. The sound of the music performered is far more important than the mannerism of the organist.. CLOSE our eyes and LISTEN>>> Hint hint....

[codeman2008]

*cough cough* you certainly know what you're talking about *cough cough*

:)

[bradtaylor32]

Franck has almost always given me a sour taste in my mouth, but this outstanding performance paired with a beautiful organ and top-notch recording has made me love this piece!

[organmusicfan]

The organ sounds great, and as for Mr. Laube's performance, I always thank

God for giving these people the ability to create such beautiful music that blesses the listeners. Thanks, Mr. Laube

[HHDougyT]

is the all the 'head waggling' really neccessary... no offence to him but i do not think he is one of the finest young concert organists due to many flaws of techniques i see here in his style of playing. Some of the best are to be found in England and I would suggest having a look at them.

[mpsnknox]

OH get over yourselves... he is brilliant... and in touch with the music.

[LaDivinaAriell]

@gebbytoo And who are you to judge who gets "too much" into the music? Let the music speak, mannerisms or no mannerisms.

[mpsnknox]

And where might we see your playing to get an Idea of what "good technique" is... in your opinion?

[dennisferrara1]

A beautiful performance full of nuance, phrasing and wonderful subtle colors found on the 3-61 Nichols and Simpson instrument. Nathan is no doubt one of the finest young concert organists performing before the general public today. Kados for the superb instrument and the organ builders who created this work of art. Everything is here for the Franck Chorale including the warm Vox Humana, flute harmonique, lush strings and rich sounding Open diapason found on the Great organ.

[octavebasse8]

The very begining always seems very soothing. I wish I could get that sort of sound out of my organ!