Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV680 'Wir glauben all an einen Gott' ('Giant Fugue')

The transcriptions of Bach’s keyboard works for full symphony orchestra by Leopold Stokowski, one of the greatest conductors of the twentieth century, formed a successful part of his crusade to increase the accessibility of music. In reality Stokowski’s transcriptions had little to do with Bach: they are rather complete re-compositions in the manner of Wagner or Tchaikovsky for the late-romantic symphony orchestra. They have enjoyed continuing popularity since Stokowski first introduced them, and took a central rôle in the internationally popular film which he made with Walt Disney, Fantasia.

The recordings on this CD were made between 1927 and 1939, with Stokowski conducting in all instances The Philadelphia Orchestra, whose lush orchestra style was clearly well suited to his musical vision of Bach.

Audiophile recording with special techniques and produced in SACD format

“Clavier Übung III is a series of profound meditations on the central doctrines of Lutheran faith, written with all the traditional expressive and communicative musical means of which Bach was the greatest master. It is the summit of his achievement as an improviser and composer of chorale-based organ works, and as such has never been equalled, let alone surpassed” writes David Ledbetter in his liner notes for this new Bach CD from Maya Recordings.

Born in Dublin, Malcolm Proud studied with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam and won first prize at the Edinburgh International Harpsichord Competition in 1982. Since then, he has established an international career as an organist and harpsichordist, performing with such groups as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Leonhardt, the English Baroque Soloists under Sir John Eliot Gardiner, the Gabrieli Consort and the Academy of Ancient Music, and touring throughout Europe, North America and Japan. He is a member of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and a founder member of Camerata Kilkenny.

“An insightful player… epic quality… awesome” The Irish Times

“Dramatic and flawlessly controlled” Los Angeles Times