I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (September 25), I played a hymn to this tune for Sunday School assembly. It was We Praise Thee, O God. The author is unknown, but the lyrics were translated by Julia Cory.
Dear Mark, I am a professional organist who has played the organ since 1974. I have heard MANY organists since then. None of them have touched my heart as much as your warm and heartfelt playing of this wonderful hymn , which you played at the exact, perfect tempo. Thank you very much, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. SIncerely, DAVE
My High School changed the tune behind it's Alma Mater on three different occasions. We started out with CWM RHONDDA, then in 1991, for the 30th Anniversary they rewrote the song with new words that were sung to Hyfrydol, and when our music program changed directors we again got new lyrics, this time fitting the Kremser tune. As this is the 60th anniversary school year, it would not surprise me at all if the Alma Mater evolved into new words sung to Austria (also known as Gotta erhalte Franz den Kaiser) or perhaps even Hymn To Joy because my school seems to like meter 8787D and hymn melodies in 4/4 Time.
I have written a comment to you several years ago, but as a hymn loving theater organist, I think you are my favorite on CZcams. Love all you do. Can you comment on the instrument? (I'm not crazy for improvisations) but you play them the way they were written with style and majesty!
Thank you, I certainly hope that I answered your comment as I sometimes miss them for long periods of time. This instrument is in a word, STUNNING! I no longer practice at that church and sorely miss it. It's a Walker Technical Organ and they principally sample (it's a digital organ) the famed "Rolls-Royce of pipe organs" Aeolian-Skinner who went out of business in 1972. They were headquartered in Boston, MA. Walker samples those instruments built by Aeolian-Skinner's famed President and Tonal Director from England, G. Donald Harrison between the years 1945-1955 (G. Donald died in 1956) considered Aeolian-Skinner's best years, and those years really cemented their fame. This organ is in a nice acoustical environment with lots of hard surfaces, no carpet, and a high enough ceiling to matter acoustically. I LOVE this organ and the Walker brand as I firmly believe that they're the very BEST digital organs on the market today bar none and that the other brands don't stand in their shadow. I hope that was helpful. Thank you for your input, it's most appreciated. BTW, Walker also makes a very fine Theater organ too.
i thought it was time to chill out and relax so I headed over here and got Pomp and this one, a double whammy! I sure like the way you do your own thing and turn a beautiful hymn into something stellar! And that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
@Fransdebrei Thank you sir and I'm glad that you enjoyed this. I have 95 other videos that you might also enjoy, or at least come across one or two more that you might like. If so, perhaps you'll subscribe! Do take care, and thanks again for your kind comments. Kind regards, Mark
@SingerGeneLeonard It's a Walker Technical Organ (digital) and my camera doesn't do it justice at all. It's located in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida just outside of Orlando, FL. Walker ONLY samples Aeolian-Skinner organs and mostly the G. Donald Harrison era instruments. I recorded a CD on this organ that'll be released in the not too distant future, so stay tuned for that announcement.
Very good. SO good to hear this hymn played in a meditative fashion ! In fact, it's good to hear this hymn at all! Churches have failed to recognize just how much their members like this hymn. THANK YOU, sir! Sincerely, DAVE, a fellow organist.
Hello Mark; well, it's another year, and I just had to write you once again at this time. I wrote you last year telling you how much I truly appreciate what you do!! You sure don't sound like an amateur to me; your playing is just beautiful, and heartfelt, I can just sense it. I will always be looking for things you do. PLEASE do some nice Christmas stuff for us all. Take care, and thanks again so much for sharing such a gift. Jeffrey.
Hello Jeffrey and THANK YOU so very very much, you're too kind! I'll see what I can do for Christmas music. Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday season!
"Kremser" is the tune name. Don't know if it is true, but I I heard in a class once that the tune came from an old bar song. "I once met a girl, her name was Matilda. She danced like a bear, and she looked like one too!"
It is originally a Dutch song. It was written in 1597 on the occasion of the victory over Spanish troops in the Battle of Turnhout during the Eighty Years' War. The Austrian Kremser was the one who translated the song into German in 1878.
@organpipe8 Lance, I can always depend on you, obxemt, and 27charliee for your vast knowledge in church music matters. The three of you seem to know every hymn and or piece of music written. You all are walking music libraries! Thank you so much for this, and for what you do on your channel as I continue to enjoy your work. Thank you my friend. Mark
I see you've played this hymn in a recent video--and it's great, but please don't remove this one. It's become a tradition to listen to this one several times during the holidays over the past several years!
WOW! Thank you! I WAS going to "Unlist" this video so that it wouldn't be seen any longer, so your timing and request is perfect. A pipe organ builder friend of mine apparently posts this video every Thanksgiving for friends and family to see much to my great surprise which is awfully humbling indeed. Yes, I recently recorded this hymn again playing the proper number of stanzas (verses) as opposed to getting carried away as I did in this video especially for that same friend. I'm further humbled and quite frankly, HONOURED by your request indeed. You've proven yet again that I truly am fortunate to have the wonderful audience that I have and I can't thank you enough as that's VERY kind of you and most appreciated by me. Please be well and be safe and have a wonderful upcoming holiday season with your family prospering, joyous and in the best of health. THANK YOU!!!
@@bhigdaddymark Hey Mark, if an organ builder makes it a tradition, then you know it's special! It's hard to describe, but I like the way you approach it with the simple melody at first, then build with the fullness this hymn deserves with each growing stanza! Stanza 4 sets up for the resounding finish as it goes to stanza 5 which has everything I appreciate: The energy, slight distortion, full sound and all! The interlude is great as it leads to the final stanza which rules! It's more than "OK" to get carried away. The snarl, roar, bright chords--you name it! Milk it for what it's worth! Haha! Thanks for preserving this!
@@GR82B1NG THANKS AGAIN!! Now I must ask you as it seems to me that you're knowledgeable by your language in your response, that either you're an organist or former chorister like myself, are you? You certainly DON'T sound like a layman...
@@bhigdaddymark I am a layman who used to be very active in a barbershop chorus and quartet. Also was active in an a capella ensemble many years ago at church and in the choir. The bass part in church arrangement tracks are a bit high for me, so whenever the music minister gets an arrangement in my range--she calls. Call me a hobbyist, but I love the pipe organ for it's power and surplus of overtones and undertones. Yes, I'm one of those persons who gets severe goosebumps listening to surprise key changes and majestic and resounding endings. I equally enjoy solemn tunes. Every few months, we get to sing in a male quartet, with myself as bass, one son as baritone, another son as lead and an "adopted so to speak son" as tenor. We love "it" and the ministry of it. Please keep on doing what you're doing--like you do. I'll try to reply in another reply with a youtube link to hear a sample of what we do. My sons were trained to sing in middle school, high school and church. It takes me longer to learn, so I have to get the music way ahead of time! Hahaha!
Hello Mark; you do a superb job on this beautiful hymn! Your tempo is absolutely "spot-on"! I don't for the life of me know WHY other organists take it so goddamn fast! My hat's off to you, sir!
Jeffrey Springborg Thanks so very much for your comment Jeffrey! It’s nice to hear that since my tempo is usually suspect (it stinks). It’s too bad as that organ and room deserved a far better audio recording than my camcorder provided in this video, but there’s always my CD on iTunes and Amazon “My Interpretations of My Favourite Hymns” (this hymn isn’t on the CD) where this gem of an organ was beautifully captured on audio. Thanks again!
Hello Mark; your tempi do NOT stink!!! And, as you stated; that organ is superb. Your playing of this hymn made my Thanksgiving! Just wanted you to know that! Keep 'em coming, Mark! @@bhigdaddymark
What happens if you drop a pipe organ into a mine shaft? (Bb minor). What happens if a pipe organ falls onto a parade? A flat major. What happens if a group of guitar players are drinking fine bourbon? Circle of 5ths. What happens if a truck runs over a bottle of bourbon? Flatted 5th. What happens when you catch a gfish? C scales. What makes the amplifier sound great? (Power chord). There are more but they get even corny-er .. Say hi to Al Coda if you see him.
Such smooth playing, Mark. Love the sound. Awesome. (Had to laugh at the jokes that Gitfidlpickr sent you earlier. And in all due respect, I had a friend named "Mark" when I was growing up and asked him one day "how would a hair-lipped dog bark?" "Mark, Mark.") No offense intended to anyone, but just thought it was kind of funny. BTW - thanks for all of the music you post. It is definitely appreciated by not only me, but a lot of other people. xx - Joe
@mkl62 I don't remember if it's you or not, but I've seen this announcement before: "I am an ELCA Lutheran" in messages to me and others. What is an ELCA, and why the need to mention it? No offense, I'm just curious as my Jewish and Muslim friends never make that proclamation first, and I've yet to have an Episcopalian state that they were Episcopalian at the start of a sentence. What's the significance in that, and why would anyone care? Again, no offense I'm just curious.
John Wise Hi John, sorry for the delay in responding. This is the very fine IV/118 Walker Technical Organ in St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida (Disney World). Walker is a superb digital organ and they supply more digital ranks/voices (especially pedal 32's) to more pipe organ manufacturers than the others combined. They principally sample E.M Skinner, G. Donald Harrison (1945-1955) Aeolian-Skinner organs, and post G.D.H. (Joe Whiteford) Aeolian-Skinner organs. Thanks!
Do you still play this organ in Florida and do you ever do concerts? I'm near Clearwater and I'd drive over to see you play! Again.....what a great performance on this piece!!!!!
Many thanks to you! I no longer practice on this particular gorgeous organ which is in Winter Park, FL. I haven't been able to practice for a few weeks and hope to resume in about two weeks if given the greenlight by my doctor. I've been back to the Episcopal Cathedral in Orlando to practice fulltime and record my videos since 2013. I don't do concerts as I'm merely an amateur, and wouldn't want to bore anyone for an hour. Thank you for your sincere enthusiasm, it's most appreciated.
Please!!!! This is one of my favorite songs. Almost every note is a different chord, so the slower, the better. You were definitely feeling it as you were playing it. Don't know about Gregory, but if you're "feeling" a song, you're most likely going to play it a little slower and why? Because you need to hear (and appreciate) each note. As with this song, the chords are awesome and the more one hears each chord, the more beauty is captured. As for Gregory's opinion? Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Thanks Joe, appreciate it. Hey Joe, could you do me a favour and go to my latest version of 'St. Anne' #3 and tell me what you think please.I THOUGHT that I was playing it slowly, but apparently not slow enough for one guy who thinks that I have the tendency to "rush" through whatever it is that I'm playing. He even suggested tapping my foot as I play (clear indication he hasn't a clue) LOL. I KNOW that my timing stinks, but I certainly wasn't rushing that hymn. Give me your thoughts PLEASE!
I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (September 25), I played a hymn to this tune for Sunday School assembly. It was We Praise Thee, O God. The author is unknown, but the lyrics were translated by Julia Cory.
Dear Mark, I am a professional organist who has played the organ since 1974. I have heard MANY organists since then. None of them have touched my heart as much as your warm and heartfelt playing of this wonderful hymn , which you played at the exact, perfect tempo. Thank you very much, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. SIncerely, DAVE
That's very kind Dave, thank you so much! I hope that your Thanksgiving was a great one!
Your version of this wonderful Thanksgiving hymn continues to be a blessing year after year!
My favorite version of this piece. Very moving and soulful. Very beautiful!
Thank you!
My High School changed the tune behind it's Alma Mater on three different occasions. We started out with CWM RHONDDA, then in 1991, for the 30th Anniversary they rewrote the song with new words that were sung to Hyfrydol, and when our music program changed directors we again got new lyrics, this time fitting the Kremser tune. As this is the 60th anniversary school year, it would not surprise me at all if the Alma Mater evolved into new words sung to Austria (also known as Gotta erhalte Franz den Kaiser) or perhaps even Hymn To Joy because my school seems to like meter 8787D and hymn melodies in 4/4 Time.
Beautiful, and very moving.
I have written a comment to you several years ago, but as a hymn loving theater organist, I think you are my favorite on CZcams. Love all you do. Can you comment on the instrument? (I'm not crazy for improvisations) but you play them the way they were written with style and majesty!
Thank you, I certainly hope that I answered your comment as I sometimes miss them for long periods of time. This instrument is in a word, STUNNING! I no longer practice at that church and sorely miss it. It's a Walker Technical Organ and they principally sample (it's a digital organ) the famed "Rolls-Royce of pipe organs" Aeolian-Skinner who went out of business in 1972. They were headquartered in Boston, MA. Walker samples those instruments built by Aeolian-Skinner's famed President and Tonal Director from England, G. Donald Harrison between the years 1945-1955 (G. Donald died in 1956) considered Aeolian-Skinner's best years, and those years really cemented their fame. This organ is in a nice acoustical environment with lots of hard surfaces, no carpet, and a high enough ceiling to matter acoustically. I LOVE this organ and the Walker brand as I firmly believe that they're the very BEST digital organs on the market today bar none and that the other brands don't stand in their shadow. I hope that was helpful. Thank you for your input, it's most appreciated. BTW, Walker also makes a very fine Theater organ too.
i thought it was time to chill out and relax so I headed over here and got Pomp and this one, a double whammy! I sure like the way you do your own thing and turn a beautiful hymn into something stellar! And that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Lewie McNeely
Thank you!
Beautiful Improv of We Gather Together! Kudos!
Mark - you play from your heart........ We Gather Together is my favourite hymn of all time. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Rick
Thank you so much for your kind words Rick, all the best to you and your family.
@Fransdebrei Thank you sir and I'm glad that you enjoyed this. I have 95 other videos that you might also enjoy, or at least come across one or two more that you might like. If so, perhaps you'll subscribe! Do take care, and thanks again for your kind comments.
Kind regards,
Mark
@SingerGeneLeonard It's a Walker Technical Organ (digital) and my camera doesn't do it justice at all. It's located in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida just outside of Orlando, FL. Walker ONLY samples Aeolian-Skinner organs and mostly the G. Donald Harrison era instruments. I recorded a CD on this organ that'll be released in the not too distant future, so stay tuned for that announcement.
Very good. SO good to hear this hymn played in a meditative fashion ! In fact, it's good to hear this hymn at all! Churches have failed to recognize just how much their members like this hymn. THANK YOU, sir! Sincerely, DAVE, a fellow organist.
Thank you for posting this. Great improvisation with feeling played. Being dutch, I have been singing this hymn for years.
Hello Mark; well, it's another year, and I just had to write you once again at this time. I wrote you last year telling you how much I truly appreciate what you do!! You sure don't sound like an amateur to me; your playing is just beautiful, and heartfelt, I can just sense it. I will always be looking for things you do. PLEASE do some nice Christmas stuff for us all. Take care, and thanks again so much for sharing such a gift. Jeffrey.
Hello Jeffrey and THANK YOU so very very much, you're too kind! I'll see what I can do for Christmas music. Thanks again and have a wonderful holiday season!
Hello Mark. I'll be in touch, and can't wait for some Christmas music! Jeffrey.
@@bhigdaddymark
@@jeffreyspringborg4285
Hi Jeffrey, it won't be long.
"Kremser" is the tune name. Don't know if it is true, but I I heard in a class once that the tune came from an old bar song. "I once met a girl, her name was Matilda. She danced like a bear, and she looked like one too!"
It is originally a Dutch song. It was written in 1597 on the occasion of the victory over Spanish troops in the Battle of Turnhout during the Eighty Years' War. The Austrian Kremser was the one who translated the song into German in 1878.
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Thank YOU! Much appreciated indeed! Be well and be safe.
Great job on one of my favorite hymns! I've listened to other hymns you've performed and I like your style of full sound!
Thank you so much!
YES!
@organpipe8 Lance, I can always depend on you, obxemt, and 27charliee for your vast knowledge in church music matters. The three of you seem to know every hymn and or piece of music written. You all are walking music libraries! Thank you so much for this, and for what you do on your channel as I continue to enjoy your work. Thank you my friend.
Mark
I see you've played this hymn in a recent video--and it's great, but please don't remove this one. It's become a tradition to listen to this one several times during the holidays over the past several years!
WOW! Thank you! I WAS going to "Unlist" this video so that it wouldn't be seen any longer, so your timing and request is perfect. A pipe organ builder friend of mine apparently posts this video every Thanksgiving for friends and family to see much to my great surprise which is awfully humbling indeed. Yes, I recently recorded this hymn again playing the proper number of stanzas (verses) as opposed to getting carried away as I did in this video especially for that same friend. I'm further humbled and quite frankly, HONOURED by your request indeed. You've proven yet again that I truly am fortunate to have the wonderful audience that I have and I can't thank you enough as that's VERY kind of you and most appreciated by me. Please be well and be safe and have a wonderful upcoming holiday season with your family prospering, joyous and in the best of health. THANK YOU!!!
@@bhigdaddymark Hey Mark, if an organ builder makes it a tradition, then you know it's special! It's hard to describe, but I like the way you approach it with the simple melody at first, then build with the fullness this hymn deserves with each growing stanza! Stanza 4 sets up for the resounding finish as it goes to stanza 5 which has everything I appreciate: The energy, slight distortion, full sound and all! The interlude is great as it leads to the final stanza which rules! It's more than "OK" to get carried away. The snarl, roar, bright chords--you name it! Milk it for what it's worth! Haha! Thanks for preserving this!
@@GR82B1NG
THANKS AGAIN!!
Now I must ask you as it seems to me that you're knowledgeable by your language in your response, that either you're an organist or former chorister like myself, are you? You certainly DON'T sound like a layman...
@@bhigdaddymark I am a layman who used to be very active in a barbershop chorus and quartet. Also was active in an a capella ensemble many years ago at church and in the choir. The bass part in church arrangement tracks are a bit high for me, so whenever the music minister gets an arrangement in my range--she calls. Call me a hobbyist, but I love the pipe organ for it's power and surplus of overtones and undertones. Yes, I'm one of those persons who gets severe goosebumps listening to surprise key changes and majestic and resounding endings. I equally enjoy solemn tunes. Every few months, we get to sing in a male quartet, with myself as bass, one son as baritone, another son as lead and an "adopted so to speak son" as tenor. We love "it" and the ministry of it. Please keep on doing what you're doing--like you do. I'll try to reply in another reply with a youtube link to hear a sample of what we do. My sons were trained to sing in middle school, high school and church. It takes me longer to learn, so I have to get the music way ahead of time! Hahaha!
@@GR82B1NG
Well for a layman, you're well versed and well appreciated for it too! Thanks and please keep in touch.
Hello Mark; you do a superb job on this beautiful hymn! Your tempo is absolutely "spot-on"! I don't for the life of me know WHY other organists take it so goddamn fast! My hat's off to you, sir!
Jeffrey Springborg
Thanks so very much for your comment Jeffrey! It’s nice to hear that since my tempo is usually suspect (it stinks). It’s too bad as that organ and room deserved a far better audio recording than my camcorder provided in this video, but there’s always my CD on iTunes and Amazon “My Interpretations of My Favourite Hymns” (this hymn isn’t on the CD) where this gem of an organ was beautifully captured on audio. Thanks again!
Hello Mark; your tempi do NOT stink!!! And, as you stated; that organ is superb. Your playing of this hymn made my Thanksgiving! Just wanted you to know that! Keep 'em coming, Mark!
@@bhigdaddymark
Jeffrey Springborg
Thanks again Jeffrey and I’m glad that you had a great thanksgiving!
What happens if you drop a pipe organ into a mine shaft? (Bb minor). What happens if a pipe organ falls onto a parade? A flat major. What happens if a group of guitar players are drinking fine bourbon? Circle of 5ths. What happens if a truck runs over a bottle of bourbon? Flatted 5th. What happens when you catch a gfish? C scales. What makes the amplifier sound great? (Power chord). There are more but they get even corny-er .. Say hi to Al Coda if you see him.
@juxxzprecise Thank you, thank you! I'm trying hehe....
@UHC4LYFE It's people like you that make doing this so very fun. Thanks for all of your kind thoughts and comments, I most appreciate them.
@DainGerrUsss Thank you Dave, and you're quite welcome! It's a really nice hymn.
Regards,
Mark
Thanks Joe, you're the man!
@bhigdaddymark ELCA stands for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Such smooth playing, Mark. Love the sound. Awesome. (Had to laugh at the jokes that Gitfidlpickr sent you earlier. And in all due respect, I had a friend named "Mark" when I was growing up and asked him one day "how would a hair-lipped dog bark?" "Mark, Mark.") No offense intended to anyone, but just thought it was kind of funny.
BTW - thanks for all of the music you post. It is definitely appreciated by not only me, but a lot of other people. xx - Joe
@bongdrop Thank you!
@mkl62 Ah, that explains it. Thank you!
Who is the builder of the organ and where is it?? Very Very nice!!!
@mkl62 I don't remember if it's you or not, but I've seen this announcement before: "I am an ELCA Lutheran" in messages to me and others. What is an ELCA, and why the need to mention it? No offense, I'm just curious as my Jewish and Muslim friends never make that proclamation first, and I've yet to have an Episcopalian state that they were Episcopalian at the start of a sentence. What's the significance in that, and why would anyone care? Again, no offense I'm just curious.
Where is this Mark? Nice organ Aeolian-Skinner?
John Wise
Hi John, sorry for the delay in responding. This is the very fine IV/118 Walker Technical Organ in St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida (Disney World). Walker is a superb digital organ and they supply more digital ranks/voices (especially pedal 32's) to more pipe organ manufacturers than the others combined. They principally sample E.M Skinner, G. Donald Harrison (1945-1955) Aeolian-Skinner organs, and post G.D.H. (Joe Whiteford) Aeolian-Skinner organs. Thanks!
Do you still play this organ in Florida and do you ever do concerts? I'm near Clearwater and I'd drive over to see you play! Again.....what a great performance on this piece!!!!!
Many thanks to you! I no longer practice on this particular gorgeous organ which is in Winter Park, FL. I haven't been able to practice for a few weeks and hope to resume in about two weeks if given the greenlight by my doctor. I've been back to the Episcopal Cathedral in Orlando to practice fulltime and record my videos since 2013. I don't do concerts as I'm merely an amateur, and wouldn't want to bore anyone for an hour. Thank you for your sincere enthusiasm, it's most appreciated.
BORE, he says HA I say!
Please!!!! This is one of my favorite songs. Almost every note is a different chord, so the slower, the better. You were definitely feeling it as you were playing it. Don't know about Gregory, but if you're "feeling" a song, you're most likely going to play it a little slower and why? Because you need to hear (and appreciate) each note. As with this song, the chords are awesome and the more one hears each chord, the more beauty is captured. As for Gregory's opinion? Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Thanks Joe, appreciate it. Hey Joe, could you do me a favour and go to my latest version of 'St. Anne' #3 and tell me what you think please.I THOUGHT that I was playing it slowly, but apparently not slow enough for one guy who thinks that I have the tendency to "rush" through whatever it is that I'm playing. He even suggested tapping my foot as I play (clear indication he hasn't a clue) LOL. I KNOW that my timing stinks, but I certainly wasn't rushing that hymn. Give me your thoughts PLEASE!
Haha, have a great Thanksgiving!
?????! I'm not sure where you're coming from, and how might that relate to this hymn?
In Christian circles as in Mulsim and Jewish, your brand can say whether you are a bigot or not..it is very important to those who care....