Bach, J S: Fantasia in C minor, BWV562

At first sight it might not sound thoroughly original, if a Japanese organist - even if she was educated in Germany - interprets organ-works by Johann Sebastian Bach. But if one looks a bit closer, the programme of this new release by Aya Yoshida is not only exciting and special, but even unique. Her new CD ‘Fantasy 1720’ contains completions and transcriptions of works by Bach, prepared by the German Professor Thomas Meyer-Fiebig, that are all world premiere recordings.

Professor Meyer-Fiebig completed the Fantasies BWV 562 and 573 as well as the Fugue BWV 562a, all of which were left unfinished by Bach. He also arranged the Sonata No. 2 for solo violin (BWV 1004) and the famous Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 for solo violin (BWV 1003). All of these works are masterfully interpreted by Aya Yoshida on the Jehmlich organ at the Protestant Kreuzkirche in Dresden. The organist explains the name of her CD like this: “The title Fantasy 1720 derives from the fact that two of the works on this recording are Fantasies, and that most of the original works or fragments were written by Bach around the year 1720.”

The final volume in Margaret Phillips’ critically-acclaimed survey of the complete Bach organ works, includes the rarely-recorded ‘Neumeister’ chorale preludes, together with a selection of other works, including some of Bach’s best-loved organ music, such as the 4th Trio Sonata, and the brilliant and virtuoso Preludes & Fugues in D major (BWV 532) and A minor (BWV 543).

The ‘Neumeister’ chorale preludes, discovered at Yale University in 1985, encompass a wonderful variety of techniques, with many opportunities to exploit the colours of a large historic instrument, such as this one in the Grote Kerk, Leeuwarden, in the Netherlands, which was built by Christian Müller in 1727, and is one the world’s finest historic organs, set in a perfect acoustic.

A magnificent conclusion to a series being hailed as one of the finest recordings of Bach’s organ music on disc.

After her magnificent Buxtehude box set in 2007 (502704-06), Japanese organist Kei Koito pursues her collaboration with Claves Records by laying down the foundation stone of a cycle dedicated to masterpieces by J.S.Bach and this release marks the second volume in the series. Kei Koito’s performance excels in these works, showing her deep affinity with the great composer.

Any collection of recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) must include a good proportion of his compositions for the organ on which he must have been a master-performer and for which he provided a treasure trove of works. With organs requiring large acoustics they are usually to be found in churches, but such is the expense of maintaining them and the buildings in which they are housed that some are falling in to a state of disrepair or are being removed to be replaced by modern electrical or electronic instruments which, for all their good workmanship, completely fail to match the majesty of the original. Recordings, therefore, on a fine Hi-fi system are a superb alternative to travelling long distances to sit on often uncomfortable pews in cold churches (however that is not to say that they should completely replace the chance of hearing an original in real life, like other forms of music a live performance has added dimensions, it is just that it is becoming harder to attend such occasions). Lionel Rogg, in this second of several planned sets, brings together the remainder of the more extended works which are either a Fantasia, Prelude or Toccata followed by a Fugue, together with works which are Fantasias and Preludes without Fugues and some Fugues on their own.

Jean-Patrice Brosse is a polyvalent musician; indeed, he can play the harpsichord, the pianoforte and the organ. Therefore, J.-P. Brosse has always specialised in Baroque music.

In addition, J.-P. Brosse is the creator and the organizer of the Festival de Commingues, which takes place in Cathedral St Bertrand.

Being able to record some of the most famous pieces by Bach on the historical organ of the Cathedral St Bertrand has been an old dream of J.-P. Brosse.

Saphir Productions in association with J.-P. Brosse put an emphasis on this exceptional organ.

The organ of the Ebersmunster Abbey Church, built in 1730 by Andreas Silbermann, is a masterpiece of the Paris-trained Saxon organ builder and one of the most beautiful organs in the world. It is one of only two almost completely preserved instruments by Silbermann. This recording is dedicated to compositions which have a special relationship to the sound ideals of the French baroque organ-building school.