Raúl Prieto Ramírez plays the great Final from Sonata Op.42 nº1 by Alexandre Guilmant. This is a live video recording from a concert at Mataró Basílica (Barcelone) in July 2006. www.raulprieto.com
I am still trying to catch my breath. In my entire life as a professional Organist as well as a published composer known internationaly, I have NEVER heard anything the likes of this. You sir are not only a genius, but in my opinion the greatest organist of the world today!
Raul's interpretation is able to draw out the absolute most passion, intensity, delicacy or mystery, no matter what piece he decides to immerse himself in. It is impossible not to be cast under the spell of the organ when he plays. His showmanship is within the bounds of taste - especially for paying concert goers. I heard him at Spivey Concert Hall once and was mesmerized. Worth the price of admission to hear him play!
Alexandre Guilmant's Sonate couldn't be played any better!! Brilliant playing and I loved the reeds at the end! Brilliant! Post more video's when you have time!
This made me think of a comment a friend made to me as we watched a very talented musician play. He said "You know that guy is really a great technician; knows his chord structure and progression to a tee. But, the music doesn't flow through him". Hearing you play made me think back to that and how true it can be.. THE MUSIC FLOWS THROUGH YOU! I hear the notes, and I feel the energy that gave me goose bumps. Thank you for sharing!
there are no words to describe this - that man and his instrument are truly one - what a treat - just close your eyes and enjoy - thanks agniyavishta and especially raul!
May I correct my mistake. Vincent Dubois is the Franch Master. Sr. Ramirez is also an excellent player and has a long string of interesting postings. One of the best is the Danse Macarbre
what a passionate performance. I hope this organist comes to London to play soon. I would definately drop in to hear him play next time I'm in Barcelona!
Raul, you are one heck of a performer! I always like to re-play your downloads. The organ truly the King of Instruments, when in the hands of a capable and gifted performer like yourself. You have great spirit and a wonderful sense of the musical composition, regardless of who the composer is. Personally, I like the T-shirt and jeans performing 'outfit' the best! ;-)
in response to everyone's performance critique... You all play it the way you want....and let Raul play this magnificent piece the way he wants to play it! I totally love his performance.
11 лет назад
me agrada estar entre los 80 mil visitantes que tiene este gran talento como es Raul Prieto, que en los 80 millones de visitantes que tiene un tema de reggaeton actual. Tenemos que dar las gracias a este gran artista por seguir dando vida a obras antiquisimas y llenas de riqueza, y trasladarnos a otro mundo con su buen hacer.
Estimado Sr. Prieto: Toca muy bien la final de la primera sonata de Alexandre Guilmant. Lleno de emoción y pasión. Realmente me cuentas una historia musical. Actualmente también estoy estudiando esa pieza con el organista holandés Marco den Toom. Saludos cálidos y musicales, Gert-Jan Westerhof
Maestro Raul, this is the best interpretation i've ever heard of this piece - certain parts of it even by far surpass the interpretation by Ben van oosten. The amount of energy and feeling you put into this is incredible!
GRANDIOSE!..Enfin le grand Félix-Alexandre Guilmant honoré ici par cette splendide interprétation, richement registrée, fougueuse!..Quel brio, quelle maestria et quelle passion chez Raùl Prieto Ramìrez qui se révèle être un des plus brillants virtuoses qu'il nous ait été donné de découvrir! (Il est vrai que les superlatifs ne sont pas de trop pour lui rendre hommage)... Longue carrière à lui!..
Wow..!! What an absolutely great job..!! You really get into the music while you play, and as an observer, I really enjoy what you do. You are, one of the best I have heard. I also see you have played Methuen Music Hall....I will definitely go the next time I can make the 1700 mile journey..!!
Thank you! The old prejudice that organ music is only for stuffy and boring church services( and people) is slowly dying thanks to performances like yours. Guilmant is a very interesting composer btw.
On Thursday, October 23rd 2008, Raùl Prieto Ramìrez will give a concert on the 180-stop, 5 manuals organ of Milano cathedral, Italy. El Jueves 23 de Octubre 2008, Raùl Prieto Ramìrez va a dar un concierto sobre el òrgano de 180 registros, 5 teclados de la catedral de Milano, Italia.
A. Guilmant definitely ranks among the best composers of organ. Comparable to J.S. Bach's organ works, I would argue. Guilmant wrote many complex pieces, with no doubt a lot of emotion and fire behind his ink pen. May Guilmant rest in peace.
Magnificent! I'm guessing that like others of his recordings he's done this from memory which has a significant effect on having as effective a performance as his are.
+Russ Davis Playing from memory is a sign of an excellent organist - contrasting to a key pusher. It was commonplace among the good organists of 60 to 100 years ago. It is only the lazy who use music - with some exceptions.
I have just one request--PLEASE do a new video of this piece on an organ with 32-foot pedal stops, ESPECIALLY a 32-foot reed! It always adds so much to the power and majesty and emotional impact of this wonderful piece of music!
Tom (and Raul) I totally agree: PLEASE do a new video of this piece. I am so happy there was a powerful reed that you engaged at 'the fanfare' section! Bravo for a most enjoyable and wonderful performance! Hope to see and hear you in Kansas City, Missouri some day in the not distant future.
We are looking forward to Raul coming to play on the 5 manual concert organ at Hammerwood Park one day! When is he planning a UK tour!? This organ gives a fabulous sound for this piece - thanks for posting it!
Dear Raúl, I am preparing my organ C diploma and I will be playing the Communion of Alexandre Guilmant, a much easier piece, but also wonderful. I have been playing for only 4 years and I have started my lessons one year before my retirement. Now, I have plenty of time to exercise, but - of course - I will never reach the level you have achieved!!! But it is a real pleasure to play. - Oh, pienso que Usted está Español. Le pratico un poco pero no tengo nunca la oportunidad de hablar o escribirlo. Mejores salutaciones de Suiza donde vivo en los alrededores de Aarau (media hora de Zurigo). Usted está un grande artista. Felicitaciones para su interpretación maravillosa! Margrith Jäger, CH-5040 Schöftland / Switzerland
I understand! It's not really a bothersome point in any case, it's a different opinion from organist to organist after all. Good luck in future performances!
Why didn't you play the entire sonata. There is some incredibly beautiful music in that piece. All modern organists want to do is play the flash stuff. Yes - this piece is well done - a triffle fast perhaps considering the acoustics, but it is all there.
