Bach, J S: Chorale Partita BWV767 'O Gott, du frommer Gott'

Who was the young Bach? A rebellious, provocative adolescent? A clever, stubborn careerist? An innovator, as gifted as he was prolific? Certainly a mixture of all three, replies the harpsichordist Andreas Staier in this selection of early works that are anything but run-of-the-mill.This programme shows how Bach, eager to call the music of his time into question, assimilated multiple influences and gave a 'new look' to the traditions of north Germany.

This is the first recording of the new Glatter-Götz/Rosales organ in Magdeburg Cathedral, inaugurated in 2011.

It is perfectly designed for perfoming works by the Baroque masters.

The instrument brings great acousitical clarity and a huge range of colour to these works.

Volume 7 of Margaret Phillips’ on-going and critically-acclaimed cycle of the complete organ works of JS Bach Two CD set at ‘two-for-one’ price, each disc is a self-contained recital.

This set features two very different instruments by two of the finest organ builders of Bach’s time, both beautifully restored in the last few years. CD 1 features the 1728 Zacharias Hildebrandt organ in St Jacobikirche, Sangerhausen. The second disc features the 1735 Gottfried Silbermann organ in the Petrikirche Freiberg.

Repertoire includes the Preludes and Fugues in G major, A minor and C minor and the great Passacaglia in C minor.

This re-release presents toccatas written in the ‘stylus phantasticus’ alongside variations on songs. These works by Bruhns, Buxtehude, Bach, Böhm and Sweelinck, covering one and a half centuries, offer a fascinating insight into the North German baroque organ tradition.

The carefully chosen instrument (built in 1991 by Riegner & Friedrich in Riegel/Kaiserstuhl), though not a copy, is modelled on historic North German organs. High-quality workmanship as well as the artistic talent of the voicer makes for an instrument whose fresh and always transparent sound is immediately appealing: “The full organ sound is bright and balanced, and the basic stops possess a vocal quality characterised by that gentle energy which is indispensable for an organ epitomising a musical instrument in the true sense of the word.” (Musica sacra)

Gerhard Gnann was awarded many prizes at international competitions, including the Bach Competition Brügge (Bruges), the Swiss Organ competition and the Grand Prix “Dom zu Speyer” (“Speyer Cathedral”). In 1997 Gerhard Gnann was appointed professor for artistic organ playing at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. As an artist and teacher Gerhard Gnann is in high demand nationally and internationally, giving concerts and master classes e.g. in Italy, Poland, Norway, Denmark, France and Austria.

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.

On this recording Geffert plays on the organ of St. Paul’s church in Antwerp, an instrument which inspires musical performance.