Xaver Varnus' first piano tutor was Emma Németh, a pupil of Debussy. He has played virtually every important organ in the world, including those in Bach's Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Berliner Dom, Notre-Dame, Saint-Sulpice and Saint-Eustache in Paris, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, and Canterbury Cathedral, as well as the world's largest existing instrument, the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. His Quadruple Platinum Disc winning album "From Ravel to Vangelis" (SONY, 2007), is the best-selling organ CD ever. As a Canadian citizen, Xaver Varnus resides in Berlin, and in Nova Scotia, where he opened Varnus Hall in a 19th century historic church. "He is one of the most influential figure in organ music in the early 21st century." (Mark Wigmore, The New Classical FM, Canada). "Varnus is a monster talent, every bit as stimulating and individual as the late Glenn Gould." (The Globe & Mail, Canada's National Newspaper). Booking & Enquiries: xavervarnus@hotmail.com
Awesome. Wish someone would have the ballocks to play that on the organ at my church on a Sunday. (Church of Scotland) Raise a few eyebrows amongst the old dears!
I’m watching this video now while sitting in the Berliner Dom 😜 It’s a beautiful enormous place. Too bad there are no organ related activities during my visit here.
I have a friend who is a firefighter. He attended a (false) alarm at a church here in Australia, and managed to convince them, after the alarm was cleared, to let him have a go on their organ. He sat up there, in full firefighter gear... and played Take Me Out to the Ballgame...
This is how the music of Bach should be played. Timing is magnificent. Finger work is phenomenal. It is so clear you were thoroughly enjoying this as you were playing. Bach's in the great beyond thinking. "Ja. Das ist gut." (Because he was German)
Whether or not you believe, one might say that this could be the music of creation, the expanse of the universe and depths of man's being wrapped in one. There is something omnipotent about it. Bach combines melody, harmony, counterpoint and discord with computational mastery, beauty and flamboyance. The different voicings on the different manuals creates terrific contrast. Oh to be in that building...
There is nothing that so fills one's body and soul as an organ expertly played, and Bach was ,and is until today, its master.Thank you for doing both organ and composer justice.
Xaver Varnus macht mit der Orgel das, was Celibidache mit dem Orchester macht - er erlaubt der Musik ihre ganze Groesse und Tiefe zu zeigen. Seine Interpretaionen sind mir ein grosses Vorbild.
Most people play this too fast. The pauses and timing are as important as the notes. And the acoustics of the building need to be accounted for. You need to let the reverb happen as it needs to. Not try to impress people by playing fast.
