I have no idea why "Nimrod" ALWAYS makes me catch my breath and sit, motionless, until it is completed. There are other beautiful pieces that I thoroughly enjoy, but few have the same impact. Thank God for the brilliance and talent of Elgar!
My father was one of the best pipe organists in my hometown. He was our church's music/choir director and organist. My mother was a soprano and pianist who could play the pipe organ quite well. Not all pianists can. Dad was so well respected in the St. Louis area that of course he played at many funerals and weddings. Ordinarily Catholic churches prefer to have a Catholic musician play at these events. We were Southern Baptist. It was something unheard of at the time, but my father would often get the call to play at Catholic weddings or funerals. He was that good. He especially enjoyed doing it because Catholic churches almost always have the best pipe organs. For those who have never experienced a pipe organ played to its maximum potential in person, it is practically unbelievable. My father would have been able to wring this magnificent pipe organ's neck. He passed away in 2004. Our family saying is that God finally finished Heaven's pipe organ and wanted the best to play it. So He called our father home. His good friend, who was also a fantastic church organist played his favorite musical piece at his funeral- Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". On the church's pipe organ of course.
My dad passed in 98. I wish he was an organist! He was just a smart guy who worked around the house on many projects and played classical tapes and CD's on his "boom box." I think he was proud that I played classical on the piano. :)
It's always gratifying to see old traditions still being made new and that are still people around that know how to do it. Beautiful instrument, incredible music and superb playing. Gives me hope for the world.
Gorgeous... Made me cry, as it would make anyone Who grew up in England and loves Elgar’s music. Thank you so much for this Jonathon, and what an amazing instrument. God bless the Taiwanese people for building it.
I totally agree with you Gary, perhaps the difference with England is that every November on Armistice day, we remember our war dead, and Nmrod is played while the whole country sobs. I was born in 1943, and for many years after WW2 the Armistice was huge.I guess I was conditioned to cry whenever this beautiful piece is played.
My Mother loved Elgar and church organs and this was a favourite of hers she died just two years ago now and this was played at her funeral she would of loved this. Love you Mum.❤️
Yes. If the Communist Chinese take over Taiwan, one of their deeds will be to destroy cultural treasures, such as this organ. To them it is one of the symbols of what they derisively call : "Western decadence". What a sorry lot they are!
The horrific destruction of possible war apart, this instrument will exist independent of local political arrangements. And one of the best Wagner 'Ring' cycles I've ever seen staged, was from Peking Opera. So no political objection to European classical music.
@@TheTwoFingeredBulldog Taiwan IS China. You can have your own opinions about it, but facts are facts. I bet you didn’t know that ROC Taiwan claims ALL of mainland China (under CPC rule) and almost all of the South China Sea, similar to that claimed by the CPC on the mainland.
Magnificent concert hall and 5 manual instrument. Exceptionally gifted organist who pulls emotion from every stop, as this Elgar’s variation was meant todo. Thank you.
Elgar must have been present at the birth of our universe to record this work. It is so beautiful,so profound,this music is holy,almost beyond belief. The only composition that brings tears to my eyes.
I entered my local parish church to Nimrod at my wedding over 39 years ago. Sadly, it didn't sound anything like as good as this - but I can listen to Jonathon playing it and pretend! What a stunning performance. Thank you Jonathon.
By far the best yet. Sir, you have shown everyone EXACTLY how it should be done. Excellent arrangement and song. Thank you for pulling out ALL of the stops. Bravo!
We had this beautiful piece of music played at Mum's funeral in October 2018. The organ was at St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray; one of the former organists was the late Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Love Nimrod from Enigma Variation any way it is played. What an experience to this this organ in this space. My late brother would have loved seeing this.
One of my all time favorite melodies. What an organ, what a performance! I've listened to about 3 hours of his organ playing on you tube today, I'm addicted to beautiful organ playing. Reminds me of my mom who played the organ and piano, thanks Jonathan for your God given talent. You make this world a better place by your talent.
This is one of the most moving tunes I know, and you have most certainly done it justice Every time I play this video, it brings an immense lump to my throat
I was part of the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony and this just evokes great memories from that occasion. Amazing music, amazing sound, amazing musicianship. Thank you!
I live in Taiwan! I haven’t been to a concert at this magnificent arts center, but I will!! They’ve just started having concerts again. I’ll last you know when I do get to one! I live in Taipei. I’d highly recommend a trip to Taiwan when it opens!
Much needed in these times when unreason threatens the light of reason an arch example of individualism and volition in western music- of western culture- played in a gorgeous example of western architecture in the heart of a western country. Thank you.
This always makes me think of Shakespeare: If you have tears, prepare to shed them now, especially when played so sensitively by Jonathan, as here. He is a past master of transcriptions of orchestral pieces, and never fails to astonish.
I used to go to church with a GF of mine and they had a pretty sizeable pipe organ. We went to the early morning service before the big fancy service with the organ but I could always hear him warming up. So I decided I'd rather go listen to him play than listen to a mind numbing sermon. I'd sit quietly and just listen. Then one day he asked "do you have anything you'd like to hear?" I told him I'd love to hear "the girl with the golden hair" by Debussy. He was blown away that I didn't immediately say "that song that sounds like pirates of the caribbean" he told me to give him a week or two and he'd play it for me. 3 weeks go by and he's got it memorized without sheet music. ANd I cried while he played it.
Magic, over the last couple of weeks I have become a huge Jonathan Scott and Tom Scott fan. This piece and Saint-Seans Organ Symphony , also Jonathan's version, make me very emotional
I went to organ concerts when we lived in Kaohsiung. Unlike many organs which are stuck into existing churches with little attention to the acoustics of the building this auditorium and organ were designed to fully compliment each other. what a splendid sound and must be now one of the great organs of the world. When I tried to find a church with a classical instrument I soon realised how rare they were However the organ is very popular in Taiwan and no trouble for a visiting organist to fill that auditorium.
Absolutely Unbelievable. I cannot get enough. Moves me to great emotion every time I listen and gives me hope for tomorrow. What a great, great, nay super-great honor to play on it. Well done, young man!
Thank you,Jonathan, for posting one of my favorite pieces which now rates as the best performance I have ever heard. The transitions between chords are smooth, as are the transitions of volume. A beautiful, heartfelt performance which moves me to tears. As always , thanks Tom for the video. See you soon.
You are blessed with such a beautiful talent. Thank you for blessing us in turn. This song moved me to tears and gave goosebumps. Blessed are you and may you always find joy in this work!
This is the BEST organ rendition of Nimrod I have heard to date. The quintessential determiner starts at 3:45 and builds to the passage from 4:00 - 4:15. Too many organists rush this segment, in contrast to the orchestral (original) transcription of the piece, by which the full depth of the brass must flourish. In other words, this is a passage that must "be milked" for all it is worth at the height of the tension that has been building. Elgar CLEARLY knew what he was doing, and performers should recognize what they need to do in order to faithfully replicate the grandeur that resides in this beautiful piece.
Great organists are heaven's harbor pilots. You can surrender your entire being to the enveloping wonder of these majestic instruments when they are steered by capable hands.
Elgar nimrod what a wonderful piece off music I love this tune so naturally wonderfull to see the organist playing this wonderful tune so relaxing and talented player loud and soft x mike swim
I always marvel at how organists can achieve a flowing legato, so necessary for works like Nimrod. They do not have a sostenuto pedal to bring one set of sounds into another. Magnificent legato here. And of course my tears. Sanjosemike (no longer in CA)
Fantastic arrangement and beautifully played. Klais is my favorite builder for really big organs such as this monster - sounds like all four 32' ranks in action at 4:15!
Oh my sweet goodness that was beautiful, already my favorite piece from the variations and this made me so happy! thank you for sharing, I could watch this a million times!
This is truly incredible. One of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed. I plan to be buried at sea and I want this played as the boat approaches the spot where I am to be buried.
Nytram Nytram4348 this piece was not written for the organ it was written as part of the Enigma variations by Edward later Sir Edward Elgar as an orchestral piece. This was originally transcribed for the organ in the 1920's I believe, and published by Novello. I don't know if this is the transcription that Jonathan is playing, he probably has transcribed it himself as he is as brilliant a transcriber as he is an organist. Listening to this on the organ brings my to favourite things together Nimrod played so brilliantly on the organ. Having just watched the video again and yes it is transcribed by Jonathan himself as it comes up in the credits.
Wonderful music that is masterfully and sensitively transferred to a magical instrument. Thank you very much for this magnificent gift for the ears and the soul.
I have seen the documentary from National Geography and according to the original designer of this entire building, the difference is not very noticeable as they have a prior opening test with all the students invited for reverb tests : D
What a wonderful organ with such a fantastic sound! Of course it needs a brilliant player ie YOU. One of my favourite pieces full of emotion thank you for sharing.
Oh my! It's fantastic! The dynamics, wow! Masterful control at the helm mr Jonathan Scott! The mixtures sounds a bit sharp to my ears, but it a very impressive instrument!
A most up-to-date installation/auditorium. I like the interspacing of the bamboo designs with the unenclosed pipe ranks. The instrument, I'm certain, incorporates advanced digital technology throughout.
Next time my wife and I go to Kaohsiung we'll have to time it to hear a performance at the National Center for the Arts. I've listened to this performance of Nimrod from the Enigma Variations many times and thoroughly enjoy it. Thank you for posting this. That said, I notice that the audio appears to be out of phase between the left and right channel. You might want to check and confirm this for yourself. With much appreciation for you posting this video, Burt Glendale, CA
The absolutely go to piece of music representing this saddest of times as we mourn our beloved Queen Elizabeth II - uplifting, glorious and magnificent!
@Elijah Harris Yes, I think you're right, but what they've done so far is incredible. PBS had a series on that was called "Ultimate Restorations" and this was one of the projects included. It showed them dismantling the thing and putting it back together again. They had worked on it for several years and it was still a work in progress, but it was fascinating. I think it and the rest of the projects are still available and I highly recommend them. I'd love to hear the organ when it's finished, though.
...amazing how something so beautiful can make you weep, not out of sadness, but just sheer awe. That Elgar wrote this to celebrate the wonder of unconditional friendship, adds to its majesty.....fabulous
Beautifully played Jonathan. I can only imagine the emotions felt actually being in this huge venue listening to you play this piece. Breath taking beyond belief.
