Bach, J S: Prelude & Fugue in C major, BWV545

This new recording features some unique historical organs in Germany, which have a strong link with the great composer himself, organs which Bach might have known, and whose builders he greatly respected.

This 2CD contains the famous Schübler Chorales, concert pieces based on the chorale melodies from Bach’s Cantatas, and a selection of famous Preludes and Fugues, testimony of Bach’s consummate contrapuntal skills.

Matteo Messori is one of the leading Baroque organists of Europe; his previous recordings for Brilliant Classics (Kunst der Fuge, BC 94061 and Clavierübing, BC 94201) have been awarded 5 star reviews in international classical magazines. His Schütz edition is a recorded landmark for that still neglected master.

J.S. Bach is widely regarded as the father of the Baroque period. A master of vocal, keyboard, orchestral and chamber repertoire, he is one of music’s greatest legends – a man whose works, which were truly revolutionary for their time, continue to inspire generations of composers.

Bach’s virtuoso skill as an organist was world renowned, and he was particularly celebrated for his use of registration. Spanning 2 CDs, this compilation is dedicated to some of his bestknown Preludes and Fugues, and also features the celebrated Schübler Chorales. While the former works betray the composer’s unparalleled ability to give distinctive qualities to each of the fugal voices, the latter collection – compiled by the publisher Johann Georg Schübler in 1748 – is largely made up of chorales based on melodies from Bach’s cantatas, and was intended for concert performance. The celebrated Fantasia and Fugue in C minor BWV357 and Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV538, which Bach himself is said to have held in high esteem, complete the line up.

One of Europe’s leading organists, Matteo Messori has recorded widely for Brilliant Classics. Here he combines energy with with artistic flair to deliver consummate readings of these engaging works: a mustbuy for the keyboard and Baroque connoisseur.

Anyone who plays a pedal harpsichord for the first time is inevitably fascinated by its possibilities. We know that Bach himself preferred a rich, resonant sound and this CD celebrates the repertoire.

Luc Beauséjour is renowned for the elegance, virtuosity and expressiveness of his playing.

The organ in the church of Leufsta Bruk (north of Uppsala) was built in 1726-28 by Johan Niclas Cahman, Sweden's foremost organ maker at the time. It is without comparison the most outstanding among the maintained baroque organs in Sweden. It has recently undergone a thorough restoration in order to bring it, as far as possible, back to its original state. Therefore, this CD demonstrates the sound and musical possibilities of the organ in all its former glory. Moreover, professor Fagius likes to show how congenially this instrument conveys J.S. Bach's matchless music.

In addition to the commentary by professor Fagius, the booklet contains beautiful colour photos of the organ and also of the interior and surroundings of the church.

This 7th volume of J S Bach’s complete organ works contains works from his Weimar and Leipzig periods. It includes his Toccatas in C major BWV 564 and in D minor, BWV 538 which he played throughout his life. Helga Schauerte is an outstanding musician and performs these works on an organ in the church of St. Gumbertus in Ansbach.

Volume 5 of Margaret Phillips’ on-going and critically-acclaimed cycle of the complete organ works of JS Bach, featuring the best of historic instruments.

Two CD set at ‘two-for-one’ price.

This volume includes the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV565, the ‘Dorian’ Toccata and Fugue BWV 538 and a varied selection of large- and small-scale works which form a satisfying self-contained recital of Bach’s organ music on each of the two CDs.