paulstephengoodman

BBC South West News are always short of good stories.

Apparently Ireland was invited back to play the Compton organ some years later but declined saying "No thank you, I don't play Cinema organs"

I have been intrigued by the varying posts about a player from the USA - Nathan Laube. I must confess his name is quite new to me All best wishes, Nigel The name Nathan Laube can't be that new to you Nigel - you are Facebook friends with him!!! but you have so many FB friends - maybe he slipped into rather than through the net!!

As a friend of Nathan Laube, I would like to write one final time on this matter. I agree with Nigel that I couldn't care less if a musician plays from the score or not, to come to a point where the score in not required is however standard for top grade performers on most other instruments in recital or concert. In the case of students from Curtis Institute (where Nathan studied) it is also standard teaching to learn to play the organ from memory. What I personally find miraculous is the massive number of registration changes which are also accomplished from memory, and in Nathan's case using generals, divisionals, and stepper/sequencers - usually finding the most convenient button or toe stud for that particular moment in the piece. Even more astounding when only 15 hours may have been spent in preparation. For the non organist audience it does seem rather odd not to be able to see a performer, when they are up in a loft such as Truro or Exeter, and I think big screens have played a good part in attracting extra people back to organ recitals once they have seen such a big screen. Nathan has also commented to me that he prefers to be in close contact with an audience rather than tucked miles away, so a screen is a poor second best in this respect to a mobile or nave console where the audience are physically close. All Souls Langham Place with it's handsome Harrison & Harrison console right at the front of the platform is ideal in this respect. To go back to the point at which I came in - The Reubke performance, all I would say is that the Youtube video is now 16 months old, and was recorded when Nathan was 20 years old. I am pretty sure he would say he prefers to play the work differently now, and I can honestly say that his Reubke performances this summer in the UK (he played it at Exeter Cathedral, Gt Torrington Church and All Souls, Langham Place) were amongst the best I have heard, in my 30 odd years of hearing recitals, and I was present at the re-opening recital at All Souls Langham Place in 1976 when George Thalben-Ball played it, and I remember being an amazed teenager! Nathan's 2010 UK performances were all different as one might expect, and took into the account the acoustic, as well as other important factors. They were recorded on Video, but it will be Nathan's decision alone if any of them reach Youtube!! It was interesting for me to hear some of the same works he played in 2009 played again this year. Again they have bloomed, with a much enhanced level of artistry and musicianship.This maturing process in his playing is a very natural one and will continue for many years - he is now studying in France with some of the very best this world has to offer. He will be returning in November this year to play one of the re-opening recitals at St Michael's Cornhill, London, and there are several recitals already in the pipeline for next year. I would urge everyone who has been interested by this thread to go and hear a LIVE Nathan performance. Best wishes to all, Paul Goodman

we are getting off the point here When can Colin Mitchell (alias Musing Muso) post a video on Youtube of him playing the Reubke at St Joseph's Ingrow??? If he hasn't got a camera a decent "high end" phone will do!

well I hope Mr Mitchell can sort his equipment out soon - a reasonable video recording (as long as the camera can have it's automatic sound level turned off) with a remote microphone works well. Looking forward to hearing St Joseph's organ soon.

I too would love to hear a recording of the Ingrow organ - Mr Mitchell must have recorded himself playing something, and I'm sure he or somebody could post it to You tube? Maybe a bit of Bach or Buxtehude - maybe not the Reubke then?!!

I have read, with some amusement Mr Mitchell's comments and also found his biography very interesting, - incredible! I look forward to hearing of his next recital, and hope it includes the Reubke, obviously played from memory! Perhaps it would not go so well at his home church of St Joseph's Ingrow - with only 11 stops at his disposal! This type of forum is a wonderful place for people to parade all sorts of "cyber" talents, whilst hidden behind a shield of near anonymity. My support will always go to those who are doing something worthwhile, and life enhancing in the real world.

I arranged Nathan's UK tour and was with him for many of his long rehearsals, and can honestly say I have never encountered such a brilliant technique coupled with superb musicianship. Perhaps Musing Muso should refrain from judging an organist from You Tube clips - which are often posted without the permission or even knowledge of the player. Musing Muso should also try and attend one of Nathan's recitals in the UK - There will be more soon! The first of which is on November 29th At St Michael's Cornhill.