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Indeed, your tone sounds distinctly patronising.

 

 

As is yours !

 

But I am not typing with an angry voice, I can assure you

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I have to say that I wasn't listening to either the quality of the instrument or that of the recording. I hear things from 78rpm records and know what the performer was doing and saying 70 years or more ago.

 

In fairness to Nathan Laube, there is absolutely no-way that his organ-playing is bad or inadequate. From what I've heard, I just sense a slight emotional detachment as well as a prodigious technique and flawless delivery, and perhaps I really want to see him push to the highest level, of which he is probably very capable.

 

Actually, if I want to really rattle a cage or two, I would say that his performance of the Reubke is as good as those often played by Sir George Thalben-Ball; often to rapturous acclaim.

 

We are, after all, talking about tiny nuances and inflections, as well as a particular approach to melodic phrasing. Above all, the Reubke cries out for the tenuto approach and quite liberal freedom in the tempi, which is really saying that it follows the pianistic style of Franz Liszt and his contemporaries in the Berlin school, and that requires a bit of wildness and raw passion.

 

MM

 

Yes, I can now understand your point and I guess a few cages are rattling as I type! Let's hope they stay caged. But I would say 'certainly' rather than 'probably'.

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May I remind you that the original criticism in this thread was about the YouTube performance of the Reubke Sonata. That criticism was neither uninformed nor "bitchy" as you so charmingly put it. Musing Muso (a whimsical pseudonym, not one to hide his identity - most forum members know who he is) is indeed an "expert" who is unfailingly supportive of great performers present and future.

 

As far as the video is concerned, I have to agree with MM, I could not hear the words! I do not doubt Nathan Laube has prodigious talent, but I do not think it is unfair to say that this particular performance did not do full justice to the work.

 

 

My posting did not mention Musing Muso and I did not say his observations regarding that particular YouTube performance were bitchy. I am very pleased to learn that Musing Muso is in fact an "expert" and no doubt, if what you say is true, he will also make some positive comments when he hears Nathan Laube live. (In fact I have read much of what MM has to say and a great deal is very informative and helpful).

 

I do prefer to hear professional performances live; poor quality free recordings on YouTube are fine if you like doing things on the cheap.

[Playing From Memory]

Last summer, I drove from London to Christchurch Priory to hear Nathan Laube's recital there, and taking technical facility as a given, I was immediately drawn by his ability to make and communicate music on the organ. I have no time for showmanship and lack of musical depth which is found in certain virtuosi today, and Mr Laube's playing sets him apart from these prestidigital performers. From my experience at Christchurch, Mr Laube's performance of a transcription of Rossini's William Tell Overture provided ample evidence that he has already discovered "how to handle a good tune".

 

Organ Recitals are often dull, uncomfortable and full of 'experts' who take great pleasure in criticising every detail - regardless of who the recitalist may be. I too attended the Nathan Laube Recital at Christchurch Priory and yes, the usual bitchy critics were in attendance: BUT not one of them had a bad word to say!

 

Furthermore, I counted a number of highly regarded Organists who had indeed travelled a great distance (not over broken glass) to hear this young man give his English debut performance. I can only guess that they had watched the Youtube clips and decided they wanted to see Mr Laube perform live in order to make a balanced decision or judgement?

 

In fact, there was an excited buzz during the interval - for those of us present we felt we were witnessing something quite special. Nathan Laube did not use any trickery, long-over-the-top anecdotes to fill the programme or ludicrous hand gesturing and silly showmanship. The performance was controlled, disciplined and musically moving. Mr Laube does indeed have an enviable technique, he also has a mastery of registration and has a gift to memorise the music. But by far the most valuable gift is his musicianship which he shares with his audience in a completely open way - I was moved by the performance which conveyed a sense of spirituality so often lacking in so many of today's performers. The music spoke throughout.

 

In this sad an busy world, it is a rare thing to find inner peace and many Organists (even though they may strive to learn music from memory and perform it in church) do not seem to be able to communicate any kind of faith. I have had my fill of 'hollow' performances and went hear Mr Laube with a fairly cynical viewpoint. But I came away refreshed and inspired to raise my own standards.

 

Anyway, I enjoyed hearing a good tune being handled well and don't mind if the notes on the page are played from memory or from the score - as long as they communicate something of the wonder of creation in all it's beauty.