Nathan Laube

BOSTON:  (The Mother Church, July 2011)

“If Nathan Laube is any indication, the organ has a much brighter future than some would believe in this age of broadening definitions of church music. This young man is an unpretentious, attitude-free, and brilliant artist who, it would seem, has to be one of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers:” if he hasn’t practiced for 10,000 hours yet, he certainly sounds as though he’s on his way to Gladwell’s benchmark. His playing speaks for itself with lucid phrasing, uncanny use of solo and ensemble color, and perception and depth unusual in someone his age.  He also spoke about the music with great maturity, and half of Sunday evening’s program was music he had arranged for the organ.  No …. flamboyance for this young artist: the music comes first.”

“Leading off with the Liszt Symphonic Poem from Les Preludes, “Poeme symphonique # 3, Laube made the organ sound as though this music had been written for it rather than an orchestra. I have never heard so many gloriously beautiful sounds emerge from this magnificent instrument, and I’ve enjoyed some superb players there through the years…”

“…. Flawless technique again made this music [the Chopin C-sharp minor Etude] sound perfect on the organ, and we went out into the night, grateful for a musician who at the tender age of twenty-three can play to this astounding standard, at the same time without a trace of shallowness or overwrought showmanship. Don’t miss him the next time he’s in town!”
The Boston Musical Intelligencer, July 2011

Reviews from the AGO 2010 national convention held in Washington D.C.:

“The tour de force of his concert was his performance of Maurice Duruflé’s Suite pour Orgue, Op. 5. His playing was flawless, inspired, and for want of a better word, transporting.
The Diapason, January 2011

“Nathan Laube’s recital at National Presbyterian Church… provided undeniable evidence that he is clearly a “rising star” in our professional world. Laube displayed impeccable technique, exceptional registrational creativity, and artistic skill beyond his years…”
“Likely many in the audience have experienced or performed Duruflé’s Suite many times in their lives, so expectations may have been common for all. Nathan Laube well fulfilled them, along with the desires of the composer, in a solid performance that brought both a standing ovation and the singing of “Happy Birthday, dear Nathan” by the enthusiastic audience.”
The American Organist, October 2010