Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV739 'Wie schön leuchte der Morgenstern'

The works on this CD include the third and last section of J S Bach’s early works, composed before the Weimar period. Helga Schauerte performs the works on the Trost organ at the Walpurgiskirche in Grossengottern.

The discrepancy between virtuosity, artistry and genius on the one hand and the reality of the musical profession on the other has probably never been more aptly expressed than in the Arnstadt church council´s criticism of the young Johann Sebastian Bach:" He confuses the congregation." He confused them with his chorale arrangements full of brilliant and ingenious ideas and his free organ works. Fortunately, posterity mostly sees Bach in quite a different light than his immediate contemporaries!

Walcha’s legendary Bach recording from the 1950s for Archiv made the Cappel organ world-famous and the famous Schnitger organ is once again in excellent condition. Harald Vogel and the MDG team have seized the opportunity to record early works by Bach using the latest recording techniques including the infamous Toccata in D minor.

The Christmas message is beautifully sung by the choir which serves the monastic community of St. Benedict in Ealing. The collection contains more unusual pieces such as Bethlehem Down, Berkeley’s I Sing of a Maiden and Britten’s Hymn to the Virgin as well as favourites such as Coventry Carol and Away in a Manger.

On this CD works by Tunder, Hasse, Buxtehude, Bach, Schiefferdecker and Bruhns are performed by Martin Rost on the Stellwagen Organ (1959), St. Marien Stralshund. Martin Rost tracked down the original plans for this instrument so that it could be restored with loving care.