Bach, J S: Chorale Preludes II, BWV645-650 'Schübler Chorales'

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.

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.

Chances are that anyone who has ever heard organ music has been exposed to the organ music of J. S. Bach. More than just a daily staple of the organist's diet, Bach's organ music represents the pinnacle of the art.

Grand toccatas and fantasies; the sophisticated counterpoint of preludes and fugues; virtuoso sets of variations; show-off concertos; astonishingly tuneful trio sonatas; and chorale preludes ranging from complex fugal subjects to simply elaborated harmonization's of Lutheran chorales - in all these genres, Bach built on existing, inherited models and launched them into new territories of the imagination.

The current collection presents the most beautiful selections from the critically acclaimed Edition Bachakademie, bringing together the diverse talents of Europe's most exciting young organists - Kay Johannsen, Bine Katrine Bryndorf, Andrea Marcon, Wolfgang Zerer,and Martin Lücker. For as long as there are organs, it is inconceivable that Bach's organ music will not be performed upon them.