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"...his playing is excellent by any standards..."
| Okt. 1998: | Robert Ludwig, Dir.of Music, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, NY |
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"....enormous talented......a major figure among organ performers"
| Nov. 1998: | Prof. Robert Griffith, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio |
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"I find that his performance of the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue comparesfavorable with the best best I’have g´heard from Biggs, Decker,D’Agostino or Idenstam. He plays with a combination of power and sensivity(not to mention agility) I’ve often found lacking in organists far moreexperienced than he..."
| Juni 1999: | James H. H. Lampert (California), e-mail: jamesl@hb.quik.com |
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"I am still enthralled with the concert which we saw last night. That young man was wunderful. Such a talent and poise. Almost makes mefeel inadequate... "
| Juni 1999: | Carol A. Bishop, Organist, Cherry Hill, New Jersey,
e-mail: cabishop57@juno.com |
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"Felix Hell is undoubtedly one of the major talents of the century, and deserves to be widely heard!"
| Aug. 1999: | Dr. Fredrick Swann, Concert Organist, Los Angeles, 1999 |
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"Good Lord can that kid play. He’s just 13 and gave the MendelssohnSonata I a romp-though that the best organists I know would be hard to putto imitate.......He rides the beast like Dorothy Papadakos (lots of energyand physicality) and plays with NO mistakes..."
| Aug. 1999: | Kenneth G. Potter
Minister of Music
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461
e-mail: tracker@j51.com |
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"I have rarely heard such consistantly beautyful playing in adults. His technique and musicianship are truly unbelievable.....Master Hell is oneof those truly gifted young persons that come along ecery now and again. And what a joy to bearound—very pleasant, very gracious, and oh so incdredible musical. I could go on and on..."
| Aug. 1999: | Neill Brown, Organist, Choirmaster, AAGO, First United Methodist Church Toms River, New Jersey.
e-mail: Innkawgneeto@webtv.net
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"...stunning his amazingly mature, beautiful, exciting, unique playing....his display of a technique that is on par or beyond that of manyorganists who promotes themselves as concert artists....and his ability,to handle the whole business with the greates ease and confidence without appearingthe least bit haughty or smug."
| Sept. 1999: | Stephen Williams, Dir. of Music, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Allentown, PA |
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"Felix Hell plays the pants and dresses off just about anybody I’veheard. I’ve never heard Franck’s 3rd played more lovingly and convincingly."
| Sept. 1999: | Neill Brown, Organist, Choirmaster, AAGO, First United Methodist Church Toms River, New Jersey.
e-mail: Innkawgneeto@webtv.net
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"His abilities at playing have captured the attention and admirationof organists around the world."
| Okt. 1999: | Brian A. Fahey, Benchmark Keyboards Inc.
P.O. Box 56
Clarence, NY 14031-0056
Phone: 716 - 759-0666
e-mail: brianfahey@juno.com
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"His recording is deserving of the acolades it has received"
| Okt. 1999: | Jon Busch, Aspen, Colorado, e-mail: busch@rof.net
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"Felix Hell performed like nothing I have heard before. Hisoutstanding manual and pedal technique left everyone stunned.......and he performed each peace with stunning fidelity..."
| Okt. 1999: | Antoni Scott, e-mail: ascott@epix.net |
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"I was impressed with the astonishing musicianship...Mr. Hell was in total command of the large Aeolian-Skinner. He is a match for the best in the profession..."
| Okt. 1999: | Stanley Lowkis, California, e-mail: nstar@MediaOne.net |
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"In thirty years he will be only 44 years old! Awesome!"
| Okt. 1999: | Bruce P. Bogert, Massachusetts, e-mail: bpbogert@shore.net
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"...Wonderful performance...We were morst impressed with the technique and with the depth of his musical communication through his playing...this concert was indeed a mature and uplifting one."
| Okt. 1999: | Bob Weaver, Massachusetts, e-mail: bweaver@MtHolyoke.edu |
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"Felix Hell, at age 14, has already established himself as oneofthe world finest classical organists....I am looking forward to hearing himagain and again..."
| Nov. 1999: | Karl W. Keller, Philadelphia, e-mail: dtos1@juno.com |
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"who ever playes and played Franck’s a-minor Choral,I have never heard it as tonight. The best of the best...... and the Bach D-Major, so clear, so brillant, and so virtuosic......Felix Hell is the most interesting organtalent I have never encountered before....."
| 21. Nov., 1999: | Dr. Thomas Schmidt, organist, pianist
Director of Music
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
New York, NY
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"Felix Hell is a young Virtuoso Organist that possesses theGod given talent of impeccable technique, superb registration, beautiful phrasing and very musicalunderstandings of the selections he performs. He inspires all the listeners that have apleasure and privilege to hear his performances. Beautiful Sounds of Organ Music are all around us ...Thanks to God, His Family, His Teachers and FELIX HELL....HE IS A TREASURE...."
| 07. März, 2000: | Dr. William Nash, organist
Director of Music
Emmanuel Lutheran Chruch
Pottstown, PA
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"It was a truly great pleasure to have you as part of the Spring 2000 Recital Series. It was an impressive repertoire impressively played. Both the tutoredand untutored ears had a wonderful time. Your music reached out and touched so many people. Bravo!"
| 25. April, 2000: | Karen DeFrancis
Cathedral Production
The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine
New York, NY
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"An der Orgel sind Wunderkinder selten, schließlich ist hierzunächst eine profunde Klaviertechnik von nöten.....Felix Hell wird beiden Tasteninstrumenten gerecht. Was ein Spiel anbetrifft, so ist alle Entwicklung schon weit gediehen. Die Skalenbewegungen samt anschließenden Pedalsolo in Bachs C-Dur-Toccata erklangenakkurat und perlend, und auch die Fuge war zu jener konzisen Geschlossenheitzusammengefügt, die zugleich auf künstlerische Substanz verweist...(FelixHell) ist auch in romantischer Orgelmusik stilsicher zu Hause."
| 20. Juni, 2000: | Stuttgarter Nachrichten |
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"...ein Ausnahmetalent...Komplexe polyphone Zusammenhängebei Bach und Buxtehude formuliert Felix Hell klar aus. Mendelssohns f-mollSonate erfaßt er mit zielstrebiger Energie. Stilistische Unterschiedeergründet er schlüssig. Für Francks Trosième Choralfindet er geradezu experimentell Klangersatz für original französischeRegister..."
| 23. Juni, 2000: | Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |
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"...a most extraordinary and gifted organist....a dazzling, once-in-a-liftime kind of talent....definitely someone to watch in the upcoming years asa major musical star."
| 30. Juni, 2000: | David Dyer, Pianist, Aspen/Colorado |
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"(Felix Hell) indeed plays like a master. What’s more Iheardsounds out of our little 30 rank organ that I’d never heard before....Theaudience was on ist feet more than once and cheered his performance mightily."
| 01. Juli, 2000: | Jon Busch, Aspen/Colorado |
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"(Felix Hell) is extraordinary and so polite and has such a senseofself confidence without seeming overly impressed with himself. He will go beyond the stars."
| 26. Juli, 2000: | Dr. William Tate
Grace Episcopal Church
Charleston, South Carolina
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"...The Widor Toccata was the blockbuster. Felix hit it „right on“ in a fast pace. At the end, Felix held that last, high note, right before the big chords, longerthan I’ve heard anyone do. He held that note, then let it reverbrate in thehugecathedral for what seemed like a few seconds before crashing downthe lastchords...The effect was pure goose bumps...."
| 28. August, 2000: | Richard Blacklock, Reston/Virginia |
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"Johann Sebastian Bach's formidable Prelude and Fuge in G Minor isan acid test for any organist, and (Felix)
"pulled it off" with aplomb. And I haven't heard Widor's Toccatafrom Symphony V played with such speed
and accuracy since Vergil Fox's recording on the organ at RiversideChurch from the 1960s!"
| 11. September, 2000: | John W. Wrigley
Box 5644
Friendship Station
Washington, DC 20016-5644
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„Hey Felix –
you sharing with us your inner souls of musical beauty. And you can tell the audience was equally enthralled by your fine musical skills, performancestandards, and capivatingvirtuosity.
I would never have guessed that your program of „heavier“ organ standardswould so beautifully appeal to a „general“ audience; but you proved so effortlesshow incorrect I was in my assumption. Rather, was I saw was more a formal program,yet played with such living sound, life, fire, and freshness that the audience had nochoice but to love each note...."
| 18. September, 2000: | Chric Nemec
Organist, Pianist
Lindenwood Christian Church
Memphis, Tennessee
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"...It was truly a wonderful experience. Felix’s renderings of Bachare likely I’ve never heard. The „faster“ pieces are so clear and articulate,and the „slower“ pieces are absolutely beautiful and soulfully expressive."
| 19. September, 2000: | Beau Suratt
Pianist, Asst. Organist
First United Methodist Church
Jackson, Tennessee
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"(Felix Hell´s) CD will snap you to attention with the vigorous, reasoned, perceptive, and totally convincing, outward-reaching interpretations. They require neither apology, nor explanation, since the musicianship isat a very advanced level....
...he surely sets a standard that many established and honored olderplayers would struggle to equal."
| Michael Barone
PIPEDREAMS
Minnesota Public Radio
St. Paul-Minneapolis, USA
in the "American Organist", (Oktober 2000 issue)
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"Pensacola was treated to an amazing recital tonight by Felix Hell. The program was a mammoth, even for a seasoned professional... Felix perfomed flawlessly and without the least hint of tension. I have never heard anyone of Felix's age play with such respect for the 'long musical line'...hisarticulation, especially in the Baroque selections, rang with a clarityin every voice that is rarely experienced."
| Pensacola, 05. Jan., 2001: | Dr. Lynne A. Lauderdale, D.M.A, N.C.T.M.
Associate Professor (Piano, Organ, Music History)
The University of West Florida
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"I finally got to hear Felix Hell and speak to him face to face...Felix kept his audience spellbound...He has a sure and sturdy technoquethat rivals many veteran organists.... The Fantasy and Fugue in g minor(BWV 542) was outstanding. Felix's pace was much brisker than I haveever heard it,very refreshing and surefooted. The D major, BWV 523, wasstirrring....andthe Vierne Final from the first symphony was stunninglygorgeous."
| Pensacola, 10. Jan., 2001: | Glenda Sutton, Organist
St. Agatha´s Episcopal Church
DeFuniak Springs, Florida
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"Felix Hell....excudes a natural muscality and a palpable eagerness to perform...His Bach, Buxtehude and Mendesllsohn were elegantly expressive: he lingered over
cadential harmonies and exuberantly freed the fantasy sections. His BachD-Major Prelude and Fuge was heroic."
| Aug. 2001: | Dr. Marcia van Oyen in THE DIAPASON |
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"How can one decribe the indescribable? For those who attended the recital, what remains is an indelible smile.
For those who didn't, there is absolutely no way to adequately convey the magic of what happened that evening,
September 21, 2002, in the sanctuary of the Tryon Presbyterian Church.
Felix Hell is, without reswervation, one of the leading organ virtuosos in the world today.....he kept the audience spellbound by his incredibe skill, energy and the feeling he displayed througout the flawless performance...For those who attended, among them many talented musicians, this was the most memorable musical event of their lives.
... awestruck by what they heard. It was a history-making event in the life of our church."
| 23. September 2002: | Bill Wuehrmann
Tryon Presbyterian Church
Tryon, North Carolina, USA
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"Felix Hell is to the organ, what J.S.Bach is to the polyphony. Both man have no rivals of any age or background. Hell and Bach is a journey so far in the direction opposite to the homophonous and figurative one that for days after experiencing it, I felt shaken.....
...Such life, such light. The joy in Felix Hell's playing is something that can't be learned. Mastery of notes and tasteful registration can be accomplished by the facile and diligent, but conveying the very soul of a piece is the province of genius."
| 30. September 2002: | Rita E. Landrum, Pianist, Organist, Composer
Tryon, North Carolina, USA
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"...it is difficult to know whether (Felix's) technical skills are better or whether his sensitive execution od the music. Both are top drawer."
| 19. September 2003: | Carl Dodrill
Pipe Organ Foundation, Seattle |
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"...After a festive convention banquet, there was an impressive recital by Felix Hell. His ability to juxtapose the dramatic with a delicate lyricism was a moving experience for all attending."
| Oktober 2003: | F.M.Gilmour, reporting about the AGO Region VI convention |
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"...to an amazing technique Hell brings also a wonderful sense of imagination and a sure sense of the instrument itself, all wrapped up with a modest, warm hearted approach to his audience and, at the reception, to each individual..."
| 31. Oktober 2000: | Dr. Karl Moyer, Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
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"...The Mendelssohn at Methuen (CD) is fantastic but the show-stopper in my book is the Schoenstein in Nebraska. I have always enjoyed Felix's performance of the Guilmant Sonata but I was completely blown away with the Liszt "Ad nos". WOW!! I have to honestly tell … that I was never sold on that work and the last time that Felix played in Utica, he scheduled the Liszt but I missed it due to leaving early to make it back to Syracuse in time to pick up a friend. My loss definitely!! In listening to the CD, this powerful work sends me a message like it has never done before. What a sonic treat for my ears....and, for my listeners!! From the onset of the very first note of the Moderato, to the gentleness and delicate expression of the Adagio and Andante movements and finally - the excitement and pulsating drive of the final Vivace, I was riveted to my chair listening to every note. Talk about fire!! Absolutely stunning, to say the least!!…A million thanks to Felix for turning my ears and mind on to the message of Liszt's 'Ad nos'."
19. September
2004: | Bonnie Beth Derby, B. Mus, M. Mus.
orge@dreamscape.com
Organist/Director of Music, St. James R.C. Church, Syracuse
Host/Producer, "Choral Traditions"
Host/Producer, "Orgelwerke"
WCNY-FM, Syracuse; WUNY-FM, Utica; WJNY-FM, Watertown & live-on-the-web at www.wcny.org |
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"Felix Hell played a fabulous recital on the 1962 Walker at Orchard Road
Presbyterian church, Singapore on Oct 7. He "took to the organ as fish to water". His music simply poured out of him, his passion for the organ is obvious, and for one so young, his virtuosic passages were never rushed. There was complete control, even though occassionally the organ responded less than satisfactorily, perhaps due to
age or maintenance issues. Needless to say, the audience was enthralled! ..."
| October 2004: | Dr. Evelyn Lim, Dean, AGO Chapter Singapore |
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"Dear Felix:
What a great gift you bestowed on the Bethlehem Music Series on Sunday afternoon! Your performance was absolutely stunning and people were definitely spellbound. Your choice of repertoire, registration, phrasing, tempi, were perfect. Your ease at the keyboard and showmanship were mature beyond your years. The pre-concert conversation was informative and showed your sensitivity, intelligence, wit, and understanding.
I have personally heard hundreds of recitals over the years and I can honestly say that I have never been quite so amazed, thrilled and touched all at the same time as I was this past Sunday. It usually takes years for one to integrate life’s experience into the kind of passionate and soulful music that you executed at this performance. While it is hard to conceive the masterful technique you display, it is even more phenomenal the thoughtful care with which you treat the essence of the music itself.
I enjoyed meeting and talking with you. I find you to be a most authentic musician who cares about people. While you are confident and most centered within yourself, you are incredibly humble regarding the talent with which you have been bestowed. And you obviously work extremely hard at polishing and fine tuning that talent to bring the absolute best performance to your audience.
You have an amazing future ahead of you. I wish you all the best with your upcoming concerts, your education, and in your personal life. I hope that our paths will cross again. In the meantime, stay well and happy.
Thank you again for sharing your wonderful talent with us!
Gratefully,
Maria Bucka"
| October 20, 2004: | Maria Bucka
Director of Music, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Artistic Director, Bethlehem Music Series
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"Dear Felix
Thank you for a wonderful morning at St Mary's Cathedral. We were all inspired by your teaching skills, charm, maturity and outstanding playing.
In particular Richard Stevens, the teacher of the Primary boys asked me to thank you and passed on the following:
Quote:
Apart from being an outstanding organist - what a nice person he is! He is so unassuming and gentle in his dealings with others and
particularly with the boys and so generous with his time. An excellent role model in every way.Hopefully some of the boys will be more inspired in their musical
studies and their practice.Thank you again for organising this meeting and please convey my thanks to Felix and my hope that we can meet again.
Unquote
We all endorse these comments, wish you success in all you do and look forward to seeing and hearing you again.
with thanks
Peter Kneeshaw"
| June 12,2005: | Peter Kneeshaw, Cathedral Organist, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, Australia
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Felix played a wonderful program. He even got a
standing ovation for the Mozart K608! ...it was a delight to spend time and discuss music with Felix. I have to agree with Donald Sutherland -- it's absolutely fascinating how Felix's
mind thinks about music.
Russell Meyer, AAGO
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Over many years I have heard a number of great and acclaimed international organists, but I still cannot quite believe what I heard at this recital. The crictic of The American Organist wrote 'Felix Hell sets standards that many established and honoured older organists would struggle to equal', and to that I can only add "Amen".
| June 12, 2005: | W.L.Hoffmann,
Senior Critic of the Canberra Times,
Canberra, Australia |
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Good Lord, this young man is so amazing and consistent. We celebrate the use of his skills in handling the organ in public concert for we, the audience, to marvel with almost disbelief when considering his genuine personality and then being dutifully impressed with the sounds he calls forth from the organ.
March 10,2008:font size="1">Hugh Bateman, PhD,
Birmingham, Alabama | |
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