Very good articulation and you made it breath. Thank you I played it for my school 46 years ago and a farewell concert memories you made an old man very happy Thank you
I've always thought BWV 577 proved Terpsichore to be the muse of both music and dance! You've outdone yourself Mr. Stefanussen. Ms. Jasmin has found a man of great and rare talent.
I had forgotten just how much I enjoy this simple (not to play) strait forward fugue. the contrary motion is clear and in time and all of it is well interpreted. You are a great performer and student.
A typical Rob Stefanussen performance: Clean, elegant, historically correct, and spot-on tempo. In a word: Beautiful! Single quibble: A bit much reverb.
Un phrasé rendant le discours musical on ne peut plus compréhensible, un T° bien soutenu du début à la fin, une excellente registration, une solide technique instrumentale...! Rob Stefanussen nous offre, ici, une remarquable interprétation de cette magnifique "Fugue à la Gigue", en SOL Majeur [BWV 577], du Génial Cantor de Leipzig !!
Every time I watch someone playing an organ I am absolutely fascinated by the skill and coordination needed to play this wonderful instrument! Amazing!
For the record, Virgil Fox was also a consummate showman. A friend of mine, also a concert artist, was watching Virgil practice, and he would repeat certain phrases over again, making flourishes as he changed registrations, manuals, etc. He said it took him a few minutes to figure out that Fox was practicing his hand movements so the audience could see them better. And, yes, he did not play it much faster than RS's recording. But, in answer to someone down the line wanting to see people dancing to this ... on one of his recordings and at a couple of concerts he mentioned that when he played a "Heavy Organ" concert at Bill Graham's Fillmore West in SF, he glanced and saw about three hundred young people on their feet dancing to this song. He enjoyed it thoroughly.
Very measured performance. I often had to use a metronome with this piece as it tended to run away with me. This is a great piece to play to the Philistines who think Bach is heavy and dull. Lovely crisp sound here. Bravo!
I have to agree with everyone else that this is a wonderful and exciting performance. There is a picture of a large pipe organ at the beginning and I was thinking what a beautiful old organ only to see that he is playing an electronic instrument. I hope he is able to take a position at a big church soon where he can use his gifts to inspire and uplift many people.
10 dislikes. Really? Whether you are very talented, somewhat talented, barely useful or useless as a musician; what could prompt you to give this beautiful performance a thumbs down?
Excellent reading of this piece. Nice tempo and articulate fingering. Can actually define the intricate melodies soaring throughout the piece. Wonderful!!
Thanks so much for the exceptional interpretation. Sounded like nothing else than a big party in heaven, angels dancing and celebrating. A rendition I do find just as Canon as Mr Biggs'.
Rob and Jasmin: these posts have been so helpful. First of all they make an organist want to practice and that is GOOD. You folks are serious about the organ and the music; that comes through in the quality of what you're doing. I have been a church organist for 43 years; seriously committed to it since 1992. Dozens of students, lots of ups and downs. I get to practice and play on a 1916 Casavant. I'm getting this fugue ready for Pentecost; just because. Keep up the good work.
I can just imagine the old man of music dancing this gig with his wife, sons and cousins etc. He must have been a fun loving man and how on earth did he find time to have all those 20 children???
Rob, I'm not an organist but have loved pipe organ music for over 50 plus years!! Only recently have I become acquainted with the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ! Up to this point in time I had heard most electronic organs by the various manufacturers and said "NO way!" Your performance and the Hauptwerk organs are a breath of fresh air!!! I hope in the future I might have the opportunity to demonstrate one at my church in Park City after viewing Tammy Putnams in SLC!!
Thanks. RE: Toes & Heels - It's a bit of a hot-button question. Some will say that bach is all toes and no exceptions. I personally believe that the technique serves the music, and not the other way around. I played the piece 95% toes, and on the spots where I did use the heel, it's because it seemed awkward to play with toes. Hope that helps!
to quote JS Bach "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. So Very true, especially with this music.
Superbly performed with an almost other-worldly connection to the musicality of the piece. I somehow feel Virgil Fox and E. Power Biggs is being channeled through this young musician! A+++
PERFECTE HANDPARTIJEN TROUWENS!!!!!!!!!!!!! heb op zitten letten! PERFECT heeeeerlijk rustig, zonder grijpen en graaien, zo zie ik het graag, groetjes and good luck en God's zegen!
Wonder rendition. Bach would have smiled broadly in appreciation, I'm sure. I've played this a few times for services, which only makes me love it more.
Indeed! Felix Hell suggested that, particularly with Bach's music, there is no line between sacred and secular, that it is all sacred music. Bach wrote "Soli Deo Gloria" at the top of all of his scores.
What a delightful performance...and a great tempo. You can hear every note. Not like those speed demons bent on showing off their technique in a maddening blur!! Bravo!
Way to go Rob. You certainly have a handle on this. I conclude that anyone brave enough to have a go at Bach, especially this rapid little exercise is a courageous person. All credit to you my friend all the way from New Zealand. Kind regards Peter.
It's the "electronic" resurrection of the big CPOs/TPOs. The very size and expense of the mechanical/physical monsters, the upkeep, the amount of space needed, and all the other factors, precluded the normal person from attaining the grand sounds that only the monumental organs could produce. They were a dying breed, but now through the marvel of technology, they have been sampled and made available to anyone who wants to enjoy those sounds at an affordable price. They're coming back!!!
I was doing some searches on the Rialto and discovered your videos. It is exhilirating to watch and hear such a talented young man. The technology is also exciting. You inspire me to get ta practicin'.
I'm thinking of learning this for my local "Bach Around the Clock" celebration this year. Thanks for the inspiration. BTW, this is the #1 Google result for "BWV 577." Awesome!
Rob. I hope you take this with a grain of salt. Your pedal work is up there with the best. I would like to see some of your critics have a go at this tocata and make as good a job as you do. All the best from New Zealand.
It's a pleasure to hear this piece played at a respectable tempo. Fie upon these simple fools who bow down to the "god of speed" and hanker for the Diane BIsh/Virgil Fox School of Desperate Haste....the MD 20-20/Velveeta of the Wine and Cheese. As for the commenter who called the registration "bland" - do you know anything about organ literature and registration, or are you just feeling nostalgic for "Switched-On Bach"?
It is somewhat funny to notice that people who are listening You Tube probably through the loud speakers of their laptop, can be so negative about digital organs, Haupwerk has reach a level where in my home hiFi equipment, it is a real pleasure to listen this piece clearly played. Probably we must differenciate the pleasure of lstening and the one to play
Great performance - and I had no idea it wasn't a pipe organ until the end! Bach would have done whatever was easiest and best to get the right sounds, when pedalling. I remember sitting in the organ loft with George Thalben Ball, who happily tore up the rule book, when it made sense
Jawohl Robert I fully agree oder stimme zusammen with what dorianmodify said: a very good rhythm, a lovely dynamic range and the JOY I have given in this score, you managed to get it completely through. Not very often do I hear this kind of Verstand und Vernunft if one takes on a piece of mine Hochachtunsvoll Ihr Hans Seb Bach Leipzig
I appreciate the change in registrations and key as it offers a fresh perspective, which Old Bach would definitely have approved since he is Counted on to make it different the second time around, albeit simillar enough to barely notice. Unless you look for it!
Makes me feel like dancing, although I was NOT given that talent! Simply splendid performance. My most SINCERE congrats.
Gigue = baroque dance.
@@orgelfan1675 woah, that's like, a fluke or something
❤️🤣❤️
I'm not an organ expert, but I know great playing when I hear it. Nice of you to acknowledge your wife and teacher. Thanks for a great experience.
I love this fugue! This beautiful instrument, beautifully played, should be in everyone's collection of Bach's organ masterpieces.
Certainly one of Bach's happiest pieces and the performance makes us feel the joy!
Thanks!
Very good articulation and you made it breath. Thank you
I played it for my school 46 years ago and a farewell concert
memories you made an old man very happy
Thank you
I've always thought BWV 577 proved Terpsichore to be the muse of both music and dance! You've outdone yourself Mr. Stefanussen. Ms. Jasmin has found a man of great and rare talent.
I had forgotten just how much I enjoy this simple (not to play) strait forward fugue.
the contrary motion is clear and in time and all of it is well interpreted. You are a great performer and student.
A typical Rob Stefanussen performance: Clean, elegant, historically correct, and spot-on tempo. In a word: Beautiful! Single quibble: A bit much reverb.
Un phrasé rendant le discours musical on ne peut plus compréhensible, un T° bien soutenu du début à la fin, une excellente registration, une solide technique instrumentale...!
Rob Stefanussen nous offre, ici, une remarquable interprétation de cette magnifique "Fugue à la Gigue", en SOL Majeur [BWV 577], du Génial Cantor de Leipzig !!
Absolutely beautiful, Mr. Stefanussen! I love listening to you play! I’m an Organist, myself, and I must say that this piece is super fun to play!
Every time I watch someone playing an organ I am absolutely fascinated by the skill and coordination needed to play this wonderful instrument! Amazing!
BRAVO & MERCI pour votre très belle interprétation de cette magnifique < Fugue à la Gigue - BWV 577 > " du Grand BACH " !!
For the record, Virgil Fox was also a consummate showman. A friend of mine, also a concert artist, was watching Virgil practice, and he would repeat certain phrases over again, making flourishes as he changed registrations, manuals, etc. He said it took him a few minutes to figure out that Fox was practicing his hand movements so the audience could see them better. And, yes, he did not play it much faster than RS's recording. But, in answer to someone down the line wanting to see people dancing to this ... on one of his recordings and at a couple of concerts he mentioned that when he played a "Heavy Organ" concert at Bill Graham's Fillmore West in SF, he glanced and saw about three hundred young people on their feet dancing to this song. He enjoyed it thoroughly.
Very measured performance. I often had to use a metronome with this piece as it tended to run away with me. This is a great piece to play to the Philistines who think Bach is heavy and dull. Lovely crisp sound here. Bravo!
This is the best. Nothing even comes close. Magnificent
I have to agree with everyone else that this is a wonderful and exciting performance. There is a picture of a large pipe organ at the beginning and I was thinking what a beautiful old organ only to see that he is playing an electronic instrument. I hope he is able to take a position at a big church soon where he can use his gifts to inspire and uplift many people.
He is playing Hauptwerk - recorded sound of the organ illustrated at the beginning.
A great organist playing great music, what a wonderful combination.
Excellent tempo...perfect technique. Virtual organ sounds really like the original. The Hauptwerk is very, very good.
10 dislikes. Really? Whether you are very talented, somewhat talented, barely useful or useless as a musician; what could prompt you to give this beautiful performance a thumbs down?
Excellent reading of this piece. Nice tempo and articulate fingering. Can actually define the intricate melodies soaring throughout the piece. Wonderful!!
Wow!! This was my wedding recessional. You played this superbly! Thank you.
Wonderful technique wedded to a great sounding instrument. Marvellous! Thank you for providing all of us access to your talent and musicianship.
Thanks so much for the exceptional interpretation. Sounded like nothing else than a big party in heaven, angels dancing and celebrating. A rendition I do find just as Canon as Mr Biggs'.
The Hauptwerk instruments are very impressive. What a great way to save huge money and have a great sounding organ at home.
@Timrath That is perhaps the best and most amusing summary of acceptable organ technique EVER.
Great performance. I had no idea it wasn't a real organ until the camera zoomed out at the very end, which really shows the quality of the Hauptwerk.
Rob and Jasmin: these posts have been so helpful. First of all they make an organist want to practice and that is GOOD. You folks are serious about the organ and the music; that comes through in the quality of what you're doing. I have been a church organist for 43 years; seriously committed to it since 1992. Dozens of students, lots of ups and downs. I get to practice and play on a 1916 Casavant. I'm getting this fugue ready for Pentecost; just because. Keep up the good work.
A great performances which makes the fugue sparkle.
Absolutely brilliant! I played this piece and my one and only real recital and tortured it. AND...my teacher pulled stops for me. You are amazing.
I can just imagine the old man of music dancing this gig with his wife, sons and cousins etc. He must have been a fun loving man and how on earth did he find time to have all those 20 children???
+Glyn Davies -- his wife had the children ;)
Good shot!
A sensitive, joyful and thoughtful performance.
A superb rendition of this fantastic piece of Organ Music. Well Played
This is the absolute best way to demo the entire Hauptwerk possibilities.
Excellent playing Rob.
Pat
Merveilleux, grandiose!!! Merci pour cet interprétation et ce partage!!!
Rob, I'm not an organist but have loved pipe organ music for over 50 plus years!! Only recently have I become acquainted with the Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ! Up to this point in time I had heard most electronic organs by the various manufacturers and said "NO way!" Your performance and the Hauptwerk organs are a breath of fresh air!!! I hope in the future I might have the opportunity to demonstrate one at my church in Park City after viewing Tammy Putnams in SLC!!
I think the fact that it's so beautiful that it sounds manufactured is a good thing.
Thanks. RE: Toes & Heels - It's a bit of a hot-button question. Some will say that bach is all toes and no exceptions. I personally believe that the technique serves the music, and not the other way around. I played the piece 95% toes, and on the spots where I did use the heel, it's because it seemed awkward to play with toes. Hope that helps!
A positively stunning performance!! Exceptionally well done and easily the best performance I've heard. BRAVO Mr. Stefanussen, and thank you!
You have a really nice touch, very relaxed, which is so important to playing this composition at its best. Good job!
The best recording of BWV 577 I have ever heard.
to quote JS Bach "The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.
So Very true, especially with this music.
Superbly performed with an almost other-worldly connection to the musicality of the piece. I somehow feel Virgil Fox and E. Power Biggs is being channeled through this young musician! A+++
Bravo! An absolutely delightful performance.
My man, you are WONDERFUL! You captured it, in all it's sweetness...
I was quite amazed to see that the organ was a synthesizer. Loved it.
Not a synthesizer. Playing back recorded sound of the organ illustrated at the beginning. Hauptwerk.
PERFECTE HANDPARTIJEN TROUWENS!!!!!!!!!!!!! heb op zitten letten! PERFECT heeeeerlijk rustig, zonder grijpen en graaien, zo zie ik het graag, groetjes and good luck en God's zegen!
Wonderful!
What a magnificent, joyous, rhythmic, complex fugue.
Wonder rendition. Bach would have smiled broadly in appreciation, I'm sure.
I've played this a few times for services, which only makes me love it more.
Beautiful and inspiring performance
That organ sounds incredible.
Beautiful hands. Thank you.
This synthesizer is wonderful! His presentation was also beautiful!
Not a synthesizer. Hauptwerk plays back recorded real pipe organ sound.
Heb weer zitten kijken en weer zitten genieten! zegenrijke groeten!
Perfect tempo, great interpretation.
I do like the registration you have chosen for this piece. Its brightness suits this work very well.
Indeed! Felix Hell suggested that, particularly with Bach's music, there is no line between sacred and secular, that it is all sacred music. Bach wrote "Soli Deo Gloria" at the top of all of his scores.
What a delightful performance...and a great tempo. You can hear every note. Not like those speed demons bent on showing off their technique in a maddening blur!! Bravo!
Way to go Rob. You certainly have a handle on this. I conclude that anyone brave enough to have a go at Bach, especially this rapid little exercise is a courageous person. All credit to you my friend all the way from New Zealand.
Kind regards
Peter.
Quelle jolie technique, bravo et en plus c'est musical !
It's the "electronic" resurrection of the big CPOs/TPOs. The very size and expense of the mechanical/physical monsters, the upkeep, the amount of space needed, and all the other factors, precluded the normal person from attaining the grand sounds that only the monumental organs could produce. They were a dying breed, but now through the marvel of technology, they have been sampled and made available to anyone who wants to enjoy those sounds at an affordable price. They're coming back!!!
Je to nádherný, jako kdybych seděl v kostele. Prostě super !!!
just one word... Genius
Relaxing evening organ music by Bach!
Rob makes this difficult, complex work look easy!
Very nice sounding organ and really good playing!
Fantastic sound, playing, and video editing!
Great! I love organ music
As always you keep getting better and better. Your technique has really improved a lot. Bravo!!!!!!
I was doing some searches on the Rialto and discovered your videos. It is exhilirating to watch and hear such a talented young man. The technology is also exciting.
You inspire me to get ta practicin'.
I'm thinking of learning this for my local "Bach Around the Clock" celebration this year. Thanks for the inspiration. BTW, this is the #1 Google result for "BWV 577." Awesome!
Wow! That's all I can say... wow.
(mouth wide-open in awe-struck amazement)
Magnificent organ masterpiece!
Absolutely beautiful!
That´s Bach! Thank you very much!!!
@mmtrebuchet, I agree. I've never heard this played anywhere near expressively as this. This is exactly what it should feel like to listen to music.
That comment made me smile.
So neat and precise isn't it? Same with the hands. "Jelousy" doesn't even begin to cover it...
Those digital instrument becomes mucht better...
!
Fantastic play!
Rob. I hope you take this with a grain of salt. Your pedal work is up there with the best. I would like to see some of your critics have a go at this tocata and make as good a job as you do. All the best from New Zealand.
I love this fugue. It makes me dance❤️❤️
OUTSTANDING performance; Great pedal technique!
Very well done. Just perfect!
Totally puzzled about Hauptwerk! That was awesome!
beautiful playing!!!
It's a pleasure to hear this piece played at a respectable tempo. Fie upon these simple fools who bow down to the "god of speed" and hanker for the Diane BIsh/Virgil Fox School of Desperate Haste....the MD 20-20/Velveeta of the Wine and Cheese. As for the commenter who called the registration "bland" - do you know anything about organ literature and registration, or are you just feeling nostalgic for "Switched-On Bach"?
Bravo! I appreciate your restrained response to those who want this ONLY a certain way. Bach would have loved this video.
"School of Desperate Haste" I love it.
Maybe those composers just played it fast at that specific time. Maybe they can easily take it slow if they wanted to. Ever thought of that?
At least, Bish, anyway.
Well played sir. Very enjoyable.
It is somewhat funny to notice that people who are listening You Tube probably through the loud speakers of their laptop, can be so negative about digital organs, Haupwerk has reach a level where in my home hiFi equipment, it is a real pleasure to listen this piece clearly played. Probably we must differenciate the pleasure of lstening and the one to play
Outstanding! Superb!
Great performance - and I had no idea it wasn't a pipe organ until the end! Bach would have done whatever was easiest and best to get the right sounds, when pedalling. I remember sitting in the organ loft with George Thalben Ball, who happily tore up the rule book, when it made sense
Rob this sounded wonderful, and your playing is masterful. You must be having a ball everyday playing Hauptwerk! Great job!
Wonderful!
Such a joyous and complex work.
Jawohl Robert I fully agree oder stimme zusammen with what dorianmodify said: a very good rhythm, a lovely dynamic range and the JOY I have given in this score, you managed to get it completely through. Not very often do I hear this kind of Verstand und Vernunft if one takes on a piece of mine Hochachtunsvoll Ihr Hans Seb Bach Leipzig
One of my many favorites of JSB which I played at Memorial Church at Stanford under the direction of Professor Herbert Nanney. --Stuart--
why is stuart crossed out
Obviously, you're having way too much fun. Congratulations!
I appreciate the change in registrations and key as it offers a fresh perspective, which Old Bach would definitely have approved since he is Counted on to make it different the second time around, albeit simillar enough to barely notice. Unless you look for it!
Fantastic stereo sound!, this is great! 5 stars. Thanks.
Both hands and both feet . Amazing!
bellissima esibizione!
Your playing is top :). It really has this feeling of Gigue and ease.
Enjoyable performance! Congratulations!
nice piece, nice organ