Sinice the organist is not flipping pages, that tells me that the great variations he uses are all in his head, including the wonderful chords, and the running pedal work. Which makes me think that his improvisation from one performance to another might be whatever sounds good to him in the moment. Truly amazing abiity, but I do underestand it comes from many hours of practising and being familiar with chord change options. Real musicianship!
Hannah Rose what is a little more amazing is the modulation he does I described to him as being something like Gerre Hancock used to do, I described the specific musical form structures, he just did it. Michael is brilliant.
it's an awesome series of modulations to get from e minor to f minor, I am not nearly as good at this as he is, but it's always really exciting when organists are allow to actually PLAY hymns and really "pull out all the stops" - literally
Well yeah, I think his family owns a pipe organ buidling firm, if not it still makes sense he started taking lessons when he was like 2 or something, 30 years of daily practice for hours at a time starting that young is what makes the difference.
+Victorian Sculptures JEALOUS!!!!! You're probably just like me, you can't sing a note nor play any instrument. All I can do is praise God that others, such as Mr. Hey, can and do it so well!!!!!
Lyrics: I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, and rest; Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad; I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad. 2 I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give The living water: thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him. 3 I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light; Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In Him my Star, my Sun; And in that Light of life I’ll walk Till trav’lling days are done.
I wish there were more examples of well-played hymns on UA-cam. Michael Hey gets hymns. When considering hymn playing is the primary reason most organs exist, you would think more organists would include at least one hymn in their concerts.
An EXTREMELY Gifted Young Man , In The Great Tradition of The French School of Improvisation , Which He Seems To Have Mastered At A Very Early Age !!!...If This Young Man Continues At This Rate He Could Easily Be America's True Successor To Virgil Fox !!!.....A Stunning Interpretation !!!......
Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration from the hymn and the skill to render it's beauty. I enjoy this video always, from Pst. James Odo, Deeper Life Bible Church, VI, Lagos, Nigeria.
What an inspiring hymn and flawless playing, seems so effortless for you. The registrations, modulations and interlude are such a joy. I hope you can upload more of these great hymns and, of course, your great playing. Bravo!
Hymns for my perfect service. For the processional: Alleluia Sing to Jesus. For the gradual: I heard the voice of Jesus say. For the offertory: Jesu Lover of my soul. During communion a motet like Tallis If ye Love me. Post-Communion Hymn: Soul of my Saviour. Then for the recessional. Nun danke alles Gott.
I listen to this video. The variations, expressions and lyrics of the piece is mind blowing and highly reassuring. Looking forward to seeing him playing life in a concert
RVW - Dives and Lazarus was the first time I heard this piece when I was a lot younger. Later on is when I found that this was a hymn under the name of Kingsfold. Excellent playing and video recording ! Good luck as always !
I have heard him play this several times. What can I say, except this man knows how to play a hymn. Very few others can even come close. It is not just technic alone. This innante sence of emotion style class. It is so obvious that he also loves what he is doing and has a science of pride in doing it.it is truly elegant in every way. Thank you. Bruce
My choirs performed with this glorious instrument while singing in the gallery, on the altar steps and from the High Altar pews. Rest in peace, Donald Dumler. You are missed, but your replacement performs admirably!
In some traditions it is not unknown for the congregation to sit without singing but following the words while the organist " interprets" the hymn with different registrations etc. This is an excellent example of how this could work as an aid to meditation. Superb interpretation of a wonderful time. People might imagine that this is an Irish tune, but in fact it is an English melody.
Thankyou for this upload! Amazingly, I had never come across this one before and went scrambling for the hymnal (because it is so beautiful and awesome [in the truest sense of the word]). Incredible interlude with gripping modulations. I will have to keep this in mind for when the choir is coming up the stairs and the altar is being incensed. Love it!
Arguably one of the swiftest and elegant organ players in his footing. He is obviously very comfortable in playing this hymn, as every organist should be. He must have ankles of steel! Well done to you, sir.
This is some of the best control of the king of instruments that I've ever seen. And all that pedaling without looking once. This truly is the best performance out there. Bravo!
he first time I heard this tune it had Christmas words to it, "The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of one, to koat her son Jesus would live the Father's Son..."
I've just played this wonderful hymn, beautifully played, in memory of those killed, injured and maimed in the London Underground and Bus bombings on 7th. July, 2005 - 15 years ago today. I also have in mind the Services (Police, etc.) and Medics of all grades, all those affected who may not have been in the forefront - the Bus and Underground staff who had to cope with the immediate situation all over London, the anonymous passers-by who didn't 'pass by' but comforted the passengers on the trains and bus, the anxious families and friends of those who might have been involved in the blasts but weren't.......the list is long.
My brother passed yesterday. This is the first music I have listened to today, as I feel it should be, in light of the circumstances.
May his soul rest in the bosom of our mighty Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Sinice the organist is not flipping pages, that tells me that the great variations he uses are all in his head, including the wonderful chords, and the running pedal work. Which makes me think that his improvisation from one performance to another might be whatever sounds good to him in the moment. Truly amazing abiity, but I do underestand it comes from many hours of practising and being familiar with chord change options. Real musicianship!
Hannah Rose what is a little more amazing is the modulation he does I described to him as being something like Gerre Hancock used to do, I described the specific musical form structures, he just did it. Michael is brilliant.
He was making it up
Mastery of chord progression and key signatures.
This is the TOP performance of any hymn on any UA-cam channel, bar NONE. Wonderful!!
I watch this almost every day.
I'm still coming back to this one 😊
I wasn't expecting to be moved to tears just randomly clicking around youtube. Thanks Michael!
Thanks Palpy
There you see a young man who loves what he does!!!! Thank you. We are blessed.
Absolutely regal. Love the " organizing 'before the final verse.
it's an awesome series of modulations to get from e minor to f minor, I am not nearly as good at this as he is, but it's always really exciting when organists are allow to actually PLAY hymns and really "pull out all the stops" - literally
Glorious--I hope to hear this in person someday --when things are normal again.
In the meantime, just look up the Catholic masses of his church on UA-cam. They are there!
I haven't felt the way I currently feel in so long. I literally have chills running down my back and my hair is standing on end. Beautiful!
oh to be that talented and young [I'm 85] again. Lord bless him greatly !!!
Michael Hey did an amazing job with this wonderful hymn. Every piece he play is a mastery of the console itself and with such feeling!
Wonderful hymn Michael. One of the English tunes which comes "right from the soul and the soil".
michael schantz YEAAAAAH!
Makes me miss Church. Beautiful.
When music be played from the hearth like this... I close my eyes and I feel that it is like an introduction of heaven.
Can’t even imagine how this sounded in the Church. Loved to have been there.
Astonishingly good. Magnificent musicianship and command of the instrument, and what an interlude!
Hey! He is good
My favourite ever hymn tune. I will walk down the aisle to this at my wedding ! Thank you for the superb rendition.
I couldn't have done it better!
What a gifted ORGANIST, and a powerful ORGAN. The pedal work on this ORGAN is mighty
Well yeah, I think his family owns a pipe organ buidling firm, if not it still makes sense he started taking lessons when he was like 2 or something, 30 years of daily practice for hours at a time starting that young is what makes the difference.
None of the above statements you made are accurate
+Victorian Sculptures JEALOUS!!!!! You're probably just like me, you can't sing a note nor play any instrument. All I can do is praise God that others, such as Mr. Hey, can and do it so well!!!!!
Praising our heavenly Father is most important
This beautiful hymn was sung at Princess Diana's funeral, and yes, hearing it again brings a deep sense of reverence.
One of my all-time favorite tunes!
Absolutely superb! Now I'm spoiled for all other versions! Goosebumps from head to toe...
Bravo Michael! One of my very favorite Hymns of R. Vaughn WIlliams. Pure English from the earth, music.
michael schantz I think Rafe was the best twentieth century composer ever, I love his hymn tunes especially Forest Green and Kingsfold.
He liked to be called Rafe, not Ralph. ( I read his bio, both online and a book.)
I regularly go to my old fashion Lutheran church we sing is beautiful hymn, this Organist is no less than fantastic and talented, being guided by God.
Lyrics:
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me, and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad;
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.
2
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water: thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.
3
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that Light of life I’ll walk
Till trav’lling days are done.
I wish there were more examples of well-played hymns on UA-cam. Michael Hey gets hymns. When considering hymn playing is the primary reason most organs exist, you would think more organists would include at least one hymn in their concerts.
An EXTREMELY Gifted Young Man , In The Great Tradition of The French School of Improvisation , Which He Seems To Have Mastered At A Very Early Age !!!...If This Young Man Continues At This Rate He Could Easily Be America's True Successor To Virgil Fox !!!.....A Stunning Interpretation !!!......
I will be using this modulation in future. Absolutely wonderful bridge.
Thanks so much for sharing the inspiration from the hymn and the skill to render it's beauty. I enjoy this video always, from Pst. James Odo, Deeper Life Bible Church, VI, Lagos, Nigeria.
wish I could've heard this in person. if it sounds this good over headphones I couldn't imagine it in the room.
It is pretty amazing in the room
One of my favourite hymn tunes.
Demons like hymns?
Phantom Of The Opera mine too after Forest Green.
I'm Catholic but this hymn is so Royal, Laudetur Jesus Christus ❤
Thank you Michael for sharing this gift you have of the organ. The music is a gift to the soul.
This hymn is beautifully played. I was blessed as I listened to it.
I have listing to this amazing playing over and over again thanks so much Michel
Wonderful! Michael...it came from your soul! Luv the mauve socks . a man of style too!!😍
Since I can't go to Mass tomorrow, this beautiful music makes me feel that I am at church.
Superb organ skills, fine organ fine hymn setting. All elements have come together. Totally uplifting.
such a command of the instrument. I enjoy watching and listening to this video.
Thx Michael Hey is fabulous
Superb! I wasn't even looking for this but couldn't draw myself away from it! Excellent!
Wonderful and great hymn, thanks a lot !!
Good on you Michael. Loved it. Obviously, you own it!
Love this instrument
Beautiful..... My theater organ needs work, but I am very proud of me playing for my church!!!!! Jesus is KING 👑
VERY grand! Bravo!
Wonderful playing! And I love the purple socks!
Love this guy. So much talent!
Wonderful job on the organ and great stop selections
Thrilling tune!
What an inspiring hymn and flawless playing, seems so effortless for you. The registrations, modulations and interlude are such a joy. I hope you can upload more of these great hymns and, of course, your great playing. Bravo!
Thank for your kind words have Michael Hey play an organ recital
MAGNIFICENT,
Hymns for my perfect service. For the processional: Alleluia Sing to Jesus. For the gradual: I heard the voice of Jesus say. For the offertory: Jesu Lover of my soul. During communion a motet like Tallis If ye Love me. Post-Communion Hymn: Soul of my Saviour. Then for the recessional. Nun danke alles Gott.
Nun Danket *Alle* Gott.
Nicht alles! So lustig, wenn Leute angeben, dir nicht Deutsch können!
Amazing stuff going on with the feet there, well done! You looked completely exhausted after all that.
😍Wonderful Playing. Thrilling!
I think what blows me away the most is the fact that this is all improvisation on the hymn off the top of his head.
I love how effortless he makes the pedal work. Very good!
I listen to this video. The variations, expressions and lyrics of the piece is mind blowing and highly reassuring. Looking forward to seeing him playing life in a concert
Beautiful! Keep up the amazing talent!!
LISTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MICHAEL THIS IS EVERYTHING!!!!! YOU HEAR ME?!!! The choices are impeccable!!! OH YES
beautiful. and beautifully offered.
Thanks!
My favorite organist nailed it again! Great job!
Beautiful arrangement and instrument!
RVW - Dives and Lazarus was the first time I heard this piece when I was a lot younger. Later on is when I found that this was a hymn under the name of Kingsfold.
Excellent playing and video recording ! Good luck as always !
Magnificent! Praise God!!
such talent !!!!-- and one of my favorite hymns too! many thanks!
I have heard him play this several times. What can I say, except this man knows how to play a hymn. Very few others can even come close. It is not just technic alone. This innante sence of emotion style class. It is so obvious that he also loves what he is doing and has a science of pride in doing it.it is truly elegant in every way. Thank you. Bruce
I love that!!! Great performance!
Can't say anything more than Alleluia!!!
BTRAVISSIMO,che bello questo brano,le variazioni che fai poi sono fantastiche!!!!
Wonderful playing, Michael! This is one of the hymns of my past years as a church organist. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent. One of my favourites
Wow! Amazing; I would love to hear some more tunes
UA-cam keeps putting this video in autoplay rotation and I am happy to listen to it every time. Just wonderful.
My choirs performed with this glorious instrument while singing in the gallery, on the altar steps and from the High Altar pews. Rest in peace, Donald Dumler. You are missed, but your replacement performs admirably!
I really love this wonderful improvisation on one of my favorite hymn tunes!
Thank you!!!! This is my absolute favorite hymn tune! I need this today.
Joey Gainey
Cowpens, SC, USA
Inspiring. Very well done!!
In some traditions it is not unknown for the congregation to sit without singing but following the words while the organist " interprets" the hymn with different registrations etc. This is an excellent example of how this could work as an aid to meditation. Superb interpretation of a wonderful time. People might imagine that this is an Irish tune, but in fact it is an English melody.
Fabulous! God be praised!!
Thankyou for this upload! Amazingly, I had never come across this one before and went scrambling for the hymnal (because it is so beautiful and awesome [in the truest sense of the word]). Incredible interlude with gripping modulations. I will have to keep this in mind for when the choir is coming up the stairs and the altar is being incensed. Love it!
That interlude was something that I think I remember Gerre Hancock using as a structure. Read what I wrote. My memory of this is from the early 1990s.
Arguably one of the swiftest and elegant organ players in his footing. He is obviously very comfortable in playing this hymn, as every organist should be. He must have ankles of steel! Well done to you, sir.
I listened to you a few times and played this very tune by ear this past Sunday at my church Saint Paul's in MO.
Extremely nice playing, Mr. Hey! Bravo. I will follow your videos for future enjoyment! Patrick in Istanbul
You are so talented! Love this hymn.
This is truely amazing. Exceptionally played - thank you for this wonderful contribution!
Magnificent!
Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing. I have been singing a version of this in Lutheran churches over the years and in choirs.
Love your style, Michael. So smooth and beautiful. xx
so powerful, thank you.
fabulous! thank you for sharing!
A true relief in midst of this pandemic. God bless this organist and his talent!
Excellent modulation! Great articulation and fluent pedal work.
p.s. Award him a Grammy tonight. Classical choirs and organists deserve lots of Grammy's.
Thx
This is some of the best control of the king of instruments that I've ever seen. And all that pedaling without looking once. This truly is the best performance out there. Bravo!
Great playing. My mind boggles at the co ordination with the foot pedals and all those key pads !!!
Excelente ejecución, una de mis obras favoritas.
Fabuloso arreglo.
Gracias por compartir.
Wonderful -I so enjoy your playing.
he first time I heard this tune it had Christmas words to it, "The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of one, to koat her son Jesus would live the Father's Son..."
I've just played this wonderful hymn, beautifully played, in memory of those killed, injured and maimed in the London Underground and Bus bombings on 7th. July, 2005 - 15 years ago today. I also have in mind the Services (Police, etc.) and Medics of all grades, all those affected who may not have been in the forefront - the Bus and Underground staff who had to cope with the immediate situation all over London, the anonymous passers-by who didn't 'pass by' but comforted the passengers on the trains and bus, the anxious families and friends of those who might have been involved in the blasts but weren't.......the list is long.
That Picardy 3rd at 1:58...LUSH. I gasped!
Really beautiful piece of music. You are a true professional!