Bach, J S: Prelude & Fugue in E minor, BWV548 'Wedge'

Volume 6 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 featuring major works, a trio sonata, a concerto and a selections of chorale preludes.

The first disc features one of the worlds most iconic historic organs, built in 1738 by Christian Müller, in St Bavo’s church in Haarlem. The second disc features the large 2004 Bernard Aubertin organ in St Louis-en-l’Île, Paris. Built in eighteenthcentury German style this instrument is a similar size to the one in Haarlem and offers a fascinating comparison.

Repertoire includes some of Bach’s largest works for organ, with the Prelude and Fugues in Eminor (‘Wedge’) and B minor at Haarlem and the Fantasia and Fugue in G minor at Paris.

2 discs for the price of 1

Hyperion’s Bach piano transcription series, which has done so much to illustrate the unique effect of Bach on the nineteenth-century mind, has reached volume 7 with the complete transcriptions by Max Reger.

Reger was described by his contemporaries as ‘the modern-day Bach’, partly because of his frequent use of fugue and other characteristic forms. His skills as a pianist were matched by his abilities as an organist—a situation that influenced his a profound understanding of Bach’s counterpoint. Therefore it is fascinating to see the composer’s direct response to his predecessor.

In the young German virtuoso Markus Becker we have the ideal performer: he has already recorded the complete original piano works of Reger. As Francis Pott writes in his comprehensive booklet notes: ‘In adopting a balance of linear and polyphonic clarity with the full expressive resources of the piano and of virtuoso technique, Markus Becker respects the historic significance both of Bach’s original inspirations and of Reger’s transcriptions as documents of their own time’.

Any collection of recordings by 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 fine alternative to travel 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 performances). Lionel Rogg, in this first of several planned sets, brings together many of the more extended works which are set as either a Fantasia, Prelude or Toccata followed by a Fugue and include many favourites including the ever popular Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565.

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.

The organist and musicologist Hubert Meister died at the end of 2010 and in his memory MDG is making three of his recordings available for the first time on a double CD. Meister recorded the music from the period between 1701 and 1744 on Mathis organs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.