J.S. Bach -Toccata & Fugue in D-minor BWV 565 - Stephanuskerk Hasselt

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De grote Toccata & Fugue van Joh. Seb. Bach in D-minor (BWV 565),
uitgevoerd door Gert van Hoef in Stephanuskerk te Hasselt.
registranten: Jan de Rooij en Willem de Boer

Toccata & Fugue in D-minor - Joh. Seb. Bach (BWV 565)
Stephanuskerk Hasselt (Netherlands)
Organist: Gert van Hoef (1994)

Assistants: Jan de Rooij and Willem de Boer

[p]

I'm a 74 yr .old Texas farmer looking for better welding tips and I end up here. My, I am so glad I did. Truly goes to the core of my soul.

[rephill]

There are three geniuses at work here. The composer, the young performer and the builder of that instrument. What a combination they make.

[Spookieham]

A 300 year old piece of music and still incredible to hear played.

[WilliamHorwood]

This young wonderful organist and his performance reminded me of something... I first heard this piece aged 14 played by my troubled older brother. When forty years later he died aged 57 I asked the organist at the funeral place to play it. He said that really it was beyond him to play it in a way that could honour the music; and anyway, he aded, the little electronic organ wasn't up to it. I asked him to play it as best he could to honour my beloved brother. As he started he looked terrified; as he continued he fluffed a few notes; then maybe because he could feel the love and support of all of us there, something took over and magic took place. My brother would have loved that performance as he would have loved this one. Thank you!

[LouiseKernow]

As a classically trained musician (flute, piccolo, recorder, clarinet and saxophone) the thing about this piece is, how did Bach even IMAGINE this to compose it, let alone play it for the first time. But, that is why we love Bach, right?

[bartdrennon]

What a feeling of power it must be to sit at a huge organ and play this piece.

[vesakoskelainen]

I can't count how many times I've watched and listened to this and I still get goosebumps every time

[markokravar]

I am a dentist from a small town in Croatia. This is perfect. I am going to watch and listen to this more then thousand times

[iworkout]

The internet can be a truly great place if used right. Most of this would never be seen 40 years ago, except on a CD. Now we can see the passion behind the music like never before.

[dougcargill]

Gert was 19yo when this was recorded and had only been studying organ for 6 years. AMAZING!

[shanejoyce]

One of the most magnificent pieces of music ever written. And performed beautifully by this man.

[dpol]

The organist's knowledge of the space in which he plays is simply perfect. No note collided with others; he waited for the split second that the previous tone was almost gone, and i have never heard such perfect timing. Great recording and kudos to the recording technicians here!

[timhyatt]

the mark of a musician who truly understands the soul of the pipe organ is one who understands how to work with the resonance of his space....too many organists keep playing at a pace unmatched to the resonance of the hall...  The fading echo and silence are every bit a part of the performance as the bright fanfare...Without the silence, the fanfare becomes just noise.     Bravo young maestro! Bravo!  I hope we hear more from you!

[mdwilliams]

I thank God for young men like this that have a passion for the Organ and will keep the tradition going. Bless him.

[randolphalldridge]

-My grandfather was an organist, studied under E. Power Biggs and wrote books on Bach. He would have LOVED this! I can't believe someone so young has this kind of apptitude on that huge Pipe organ. It's remarkable and gorgeous. The beginning of the actual fugue is my ring tone, and I get a LOT of stares when it goes off in public. I'll never change it, either. His talent is expansive, engaging, and so FUN to watch. Wish I could fly to Europe and watch him perform. What a JOY!

[mascotbenches]

Most of the performances of this piece seem to rush through it. This guy pauses and allows the notes to sink in to the soul. Haunting and poignant.

[donaldteuber]

THIS is the way Bach should be played... not some wimpy washed out version gasping for air. Not just rattling the windows but the stone walls... indeed the very Earth itself. MAGNIFICENT.

[franknevo]

Just Unbelievable!
Born in 1994, 19 years old at the time of this excellent performance.
People like you Gert are the gatekeepers of our civilization.

[peterlewis]

This was composed by JS Bach, over 300 yrs ago, and it is still being enjoyed by countless admirers around the World.
That is testimony to a great composer, dare i say it, a genius.

[michaelmoore]

I ended up here by pure accident, and I was totally gripped by this fella’s stunning performance.