Nearer, Still Nearer - Old Hymn - Berlin Reed Organ

Berlin Reed Organ Goes to Church Part 3. This is played on my Berlin Organ Company reed organ that I brought to my church. I played it slowly in a simple hymn style, only changing the stops to provide variation. This is how I believe small church organists in this area would have played hymns over a century ago.

Nearer, Still Nearer written by Leila Morris, who lived from 1862-1929. She wrote the lyrics and some of the music for many hymns. In her early fifties she started going blind, but continued to write hymns anyways.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• berlin
• reed
• organ
• pump
• rodney
• jantzi
• Nearer
• Still
• leila
• morris
• old
• hymn
• tune
• gospel

[Modeltnick]

Thank you so much for these wonderful hymns! There is nothing in the universe like a reed organ!

[rodneyjantzi]

@Modeltnick - Thanks! I often just sit down at this organ, grab a hymnbook and start at page one. The expression that can be produced by these reed organs keeps me playing for hours...

[cecilspianos]

A beautiful song played beautifully! This organ sounds great in church! Did you play it for any services while it was there?

[rodneyjantzi]

Thank you very much! The timing that it was in the church did not work out for accompaniment for a church service, however, I did have 2 mini-concerts with it. I wasnt expecting many out for the concerts, and the first one filled the (small) church, about 120 people. During that concert I had them sing a hymn with the pump organ accompanying them. It worked out awesome, and lead the singing very well.

Thanks again,

Rodney

[meirishguy]

That was perfectly beautiful..... played just exactly as it should be. Perfect tempo. You really made my day. God Bless you and thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.

[rodneyjantzi]

Thank you very much, as I type this I have a huge smile on my face. You really made my day... :)

[uwemommens]

Since I "found" this video in June, I have listened to the beautiful hymn every week and recommended it to others,too. This is a combination of a great reed organ and an outstanding talent. Thank you from the bottom of my heart .

[laurent7943]

Thank you Rodney , you are alone to play as you play : it's perfect , when I heard you playing i pray ! Ad multos annos !

[MrHammondorganist]

Magnificent reed organ. Very well played. Lelia Naylor Morris was the organist of Trinity Methodist Church, McConnelsville, Ohio, where I also served as organist for many years. She wrote over 1,500, BOTH lyrics and music. She did loose her eye sight. However, she only composed one last Hymn following the loss of her eye sight. That last Hymn included these words: "walking in faith where me eyes cannot see". She is sometimes confused with Fanny Crosby, who was a blind hymnwriter.

[ebach1]

i love this instrument !!!!!

:)

[falaqdad15]

Wow that sounds like a 4' flute in the beginning of any pipe organ.

[Modeltnick]

Thanks for your reply. I have two small reed organs. One is an Estey Junior (a none folding folding organ) and the other is an Estey folding organ. Both need work and I am in the middle of restoring the "Junior". Someday I am going to have a larger "parlor" model. Lots of reed organs out there and too few people willing to give them good homes. Thanks again for all you do.

[polibio77]

very nice tool, must have excellent audio performance

[ChucklesKeys]

Rodney, the bass is so rich in that Berlin organ. I am jealous! I was told it sounds so sonorous because of the added bass chamber that organ has. It is almost "pipe like" in the bass. I truly LOVE it. If I ever get the chance to buy a Berlin organ, I surely will.

[nUaSvAy]

Nearer still nearer, close to Thy heart;

Draw me my Saviour so precious Thou art.

Fold me, Oh fold me close to Thy breast.

Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.