J.S. Bach on the Organ

[staxomega]

STOP. NEVER LISTEN TO THAT AGAIN. IT'S THE OPIUM OF THE PEOPLE.

A genuine laugh out loud from me  I will send that Leonhardt disc to my friend who is a staunch atheist but gets dragged to church by his wife.

[Mandryka]

Hooked on this at the moment. Are there more good single discs of Walcha playing highlights of Bach's organ music? I am still a newcomer to this segment of his works and don't want to invest in the big box.

I'm sure there are, but this is an exceptional one

[vers la flamme]

I'm sure there are, but this is an exceptional one

I was looking at that earlier. Awesome. Thanks.

[Marc]

I was looking at that earlier. Awesome. Thanks.

Mind you, Walcha's stereo integral is almost a 'highlights' boxset in itself, because it's definitely not a complete output of Bach's organ works. So, if you stumble upon a reasonably priced issue...

[HIPster]

Thanks to Marc for posting these recommendations in the listening thread! 

Quote:


I'm a little bit 'behind' in my knowledge, because the last years I mainly bought some 'local' organ discs by internationally lesser known organists. And they're difficult to find on the internet.

But for the Orgelbüchlein, 'golden oldie' René Saorgin is still a 'must have', IMHO.

https://www.amazon.com/J-S-Bach-Orgelbuchlein-Saorgin/dp/B00004RJRW/?tag=goodmusicguideco
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8056554--bach-j-s-chorale-preludes-i-bwv599-644-orgelbuchlein

For the Leipzig chorales, Bernard Foccroulle - if you haven't got his integral and/or are not interested in purchasing that boxset - is very much worthwhile:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7954300--j-s-bach-leipzig-chorales
https://www.amazon.com/Leipziger-Chorales-651-668-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B0000A4G3V?tag=goodmusicguideco

Or Craig Humber:

https://www.amazon.com/Leipzig-Organ-Chorales-CRAIG-HUMBER/dp/B003B95B92/?tag=goodmusicguideco

Martin Souter, rather slow tempi, but the organ (Schnitger et al, Noordbroek, NL) is a ravishing beauty.

https://www.amazon.com/J-S-Bach-Chorale-Preludes-651-661/dp/B000006F0C/?tag=goodmusicguideco
https://www.amazon.com/Bach-18-Chorale-Preludes-Vol/dp/B00N63JDMO/?tag=goodmusicguideco
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8048193--bach-18-chorale-preludes-vol-1
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8048194--bach-18-chorale-preludes-vol-2

For the Clavier-Übung III (AKA 'Organ Mass'), Edgar Krapp on the Berlin Classics label is still a great choice. It won't be easy to find those discs, though. The manualiter chorales are bundled on this issue:

https://www.amazon.com/Orgel-Werke-Organ-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B0000DC17O/?tag=goodmusicguideco

A 'modern' choice would be Andreas Fischer on the reconstructed Schnitger organ of the Katharinenkirche, Hamburg, BRD.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Clavier-Übung/dp/B07NJV6LTP/?tag=goodmusicguideco
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8613402--j-s-bach-clavier-ubung-book-iii

I'm sure there are much more solid choices in this field. Maybe Premont and Mandryka have some good advices.

[prémont]

Just a little reminder of my Bach organ recommendations in post 1 of this very thread.

[Marc]

Just a little reminder of my Bach organ recommendations in post 1 of this very thread.

Don't you worry, dear Premont, it's probably my favourite post of GMG. 0:)

My 'quote' (from the WAYLT-thread) was only meant as a quick help to suggest some decent (imho) recordings of the Bach's best known organ chorale bundles... it's far from up-to-date. But what's 'up to date' anyway? Your post is over 12 years old and in fact still worthwhile, so it's still up to date.

If someone would have asked my personal favs, then it would be something like:
My fav Orgelbüchlein is Koopman (Coronata), but it's part of an OOP integral.
My fav Leipzig chorales are Beekman's, but they're part of an OOP integral.
My fav CU 3... can't tell. Maybe another Dutchman, cuz I'm a Dutch chauvinist pig organ music lover, maybe Wim van Beek or Piet Wiersma, but the first one isn't easy to get, and the 2nd one is OOP.

[Mandryka]

Maybe someone who wants a quick, cheap and cheerful intro to some organ chorales could try this

[Marc]

Maybe someone who wants a quick, cheap and cheerful intro to some organ chorales could try this

Yep.
That's a good choice, too.

There's a lot of choice in this field.
If someone would be happy with decent performances (of the above mentioned 3 'books') on lovely organs: Margaret Philips' discs from her integral are (afaik) still available as single volumes (mostly 2-cd sets): buy Volume 1 to 3 and... you're ready, and probaby happy. Label: Regent.

https://www.bach-cantatas.com/NVP/Phillips-M.htm

[SurprisedByBeauty]

This I found stupendous. Not standard organ repertoire, granted, but v. good.
10/10 Review on ClassicsToday upcoming. (


#morninglistening to superb!! #Bach #OrganWorks w/@ErwinWiersinga & #LeoVanDoeselaar on #mDG

: http://a-fwd.to/7GeMeNp

@BACH_JohannSeb
on the #Groningen #MartiniKerk's organs ♡♡♡

#classicalmusic #OrganMusic #classicalmusiccollection #BachFo... https://ift.tt/2IyhZtX

[Mandryka]

This I found stupendous. Not standard organ repertoire, granted, but v. good.
10/10 Review on ClassicsToday upcoming. (


#morninglistening to superb!! #Bach #OrganWorks w/@ErwinWiersinga & #LeoVanDoeselaar on #mDG

: http://a-fwd.to/7GeMeNp

@BACH_JohannSeb
on the #Groningen #MartiniKerk's organs ♡♡♡

#classicalmusic #OrganMusic #classicalmusiccollection #BachFo... https://ift.tt/2IyhZtX

Are they playing duets together?

[JBS]

This I found stupendous. Not standard organ repertoire, granted, but v. good.
10/10 Review on ClassicsToday upcoming. (


#morninglistening to superb!! #Bach #OrganWorks w/@ErwinWiersinga & #LeoVanDoeselaar on #mDG

: http://a-fwd.to/7GeMeNp

@BACH_JohannSeb
on the #Groningen #MartiniKerk's organs ♡♡♡

#classicalmusic #OrganMusic #classicalmusiccollection #BachFo... https://ift.tt/2IyhZtX

Err, link leads to the Liepzig String Quartet Schubert cycle.  Also on MDG, and the city is relevant to Bach, of course.  But I don't think it's what you intended. 

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Err, link leads to the Liepzig String Quartet Schubert cycle.  Also on MDG, and the city is relevant to Bach, of course.  But I don't think it's what you intended. 

Yikes! Thanks for letting me know. This is the link: http://a-fwd.to/4HPS25L

Are they playing duets together?

In one case, yes: Namely in Sybolt de Jong's transcription for four hands and two feet of the chorus "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" from Cantata BWV 80.

Other than that, they are taking turns on the large Schnitger and the small Le Picard organ.

[Marc]

Yikes! Thanks for letting me know. This is the link: http://a-fwd.to/4HPS25L

In one case, yes: Namely in Sybolt de Jong's transcription for four hands and two feet of the chorus "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" from Cantata BWV 80.

Other than that, they are taking turns on the large Schnitger and the small Le Picard organ.

Yeah, I bought that one in the Martinikerk last summer. It's pure joy indeed. Mind you, the small Le Picard is a beauty, too. It was originally a 'Rückwerck' of a Northern French baroque organ.



Later that year, in September, Wiersinga and Van Doeselaar played the 'grande' part of the Clavier-Übung 3 together. One of the best live concert experiences I had in the last 10 years or so. Wiersinga in BWV 682, and Van Doeselaar in BWV 671 and BWV 686 were the highlights. Goosebumps even when remembering it.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Yeah, I bought that one in the Martinikerk last summer. It's pure joy indeed. Mind you, the small Le Picard is a beauty, too. It was originally a 'Rückwerck' of a Northern French baroque organ.

Absolutely. You'll find much of that in the review, I hope.

[prémont]

Don't you worry, dear Premont, it's probably my favourite post of GMG. 0:)

My 'quote' (from the WAYLT-thread) was only meant as a quick help to suggest some decent (imho) recordings of the Bach's best known organ chorale bundles... it's far from up-to-date. But what's 'up to date' anyway? Your post is over 12 years old and in fact still worthwhile, so it's still up to date.

If someone would have asked my personal favs, then it would be something like:
My fav Orgelbüchlein is Koopman (Coronata), but it's part of an OOP integral.
My fav Leipzig chorales are Beekman's, but they're part of an OOP integral.
My fav CU 3... can't tell. Maybe another Dutchman, cuz I'm a Dutch chauvinist pig organ music lover, maybe Wim van Beek or Piet Wiersma, but the first one isn't easy to get, and the 2nd one is OOP.

Our tastes are remarkably similar, so I do not worry at all.

To be honest I have promised Que an updated version of post 1 - this is really a hard job to realize

[Jo498]

Hooked on this at the moment. Are there more good single discs of Walcha playing highlights of Bach's organ music? I am still a newcomer to this segment of his works and don't want to invest in the big box.

There are several more single Walcha discs on DG and also a Duo, but there is probably some overlap with this "Originals" disc.

[staxomega]

Yeah, I bought that one in the Martinikerk last summer. It's pure joy indeed. Mind you, the small Le Picard is a beauty, too. It was originally a 'Rückwerck' of a Northern French baroque organ.



Later that year, in September, Wiersinga and Van Doeselaar played the 'grande' part of the Clavier-Übung 3 together. One of the best live concert experiences I had in the last 10 years or so. Wiersinga in BWV 682, and Van Doeselaar in BWV 671 and BWV 686 were the highlights. Goosebumps even when remembering it.

Just reading this fills me with jealousy, the last time we were in Holland my parents were more interesting in getting cute pictures of us in wood clogs than any organ pilgrimages

I am thinking an organ holiday is in order to get my kids indoctrinated in Bach.

[bioluminescentsquid]

Don't you worry, dear Premont, it's probably my favourite post of GMG. 0:)

My 'quote' (from the WAYLT-thread) was only meant as a quick help to suggest some decent (imho) recordings of the Bach's best known organ chorale bundles... it's far from up-to-date. But what's 'up to date' anyway? Your post is over 12 years old and in fact still worthwhile, so it's still up to date.

If someone would have asked my personal favs, then it would be something like:
My fav Orgelbüchlein is Koopman (Coronata), but it's part of an OOP integral.
My fav Leipzig chorales are Beekman's, but they're part of an OOP integral.
My fav CU 3... can't tell. Maybe another Dutchman, cuz I'm a Dutch chauvinist pig organ music lover, maybe Wim van Beek or Piet Wiersma, but the first one isn't easy to get, and the 2nd one is OOP.

For me:
My favorite Orgelbüchlein would be Piet Wiersma's, spread all over his Bach in Groningen set. Haven't heard Koopman (do you mean Kooiman?).

Liepzig Chorales would also be Beekman (Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NpFOrSWZ58). And also Daniel Chorzempa.

I'm still bowled over by Andreas Fischer's CUIII - the other one I would recommend is Rübsam on Naxos, or possibly also Beekman.

I didn't really enjoy Piet Wiersma's CU III, it didn't feel as down-to-earth and gritty as his other recordings on smaller village organs. The Martinikerk organ, as wonderful as it is, is just a bit too perfect and suave for Wiersma.

A lot of Dutchmen for me, a non-Dutchman!

Can you tell me more about Margaret Philips? I have not heard much of her playing. Great organs, although all very frequently recorded ones.

[Marc]

For me:
My favorite Orgelbüchlein would be Piet Wiersma's, spread all over his Bach in Groningen set. Haven't heard Koopman (do you mean Kooiman?).

Liepzig Chorales would also be Beekman (Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NpFOrSWZ58). And also Daniel Chorzempa.

I'm still bowled over by Andreas Fischer's CUIII - the other one I would recommend is Rübsam on Naxos, or possibly also Beekman.

I didn't really enjoy Piet Wiersma's CU III, it didn't feel as down-to-earth and gritty as his other recordings on smaller village organs. The Martinikerk organ, as wonderful as it is, is just a bit too perfect and suave for Wiersma.

A lot of Dutchmen for me, a non-Dutchman!

Can you tell me more about Margaret Philips? I have not heard much of her playing. Great organs, although all very frequently recorded ones.

I meant Kooiman indeed.

I understand your point about Wiersma, but then, when I listen to f.i. BWV 682... well...
Summarized: it's just not easy to name favourites in a field where so many good musicians have excelled. Sometimes I forget to mention one, and sometimes good/bad listening memories can blur things, too.

I.c. Philips: I have 2 volumes of her (should check it out though, not 100% sure), mainly chorale-related works, and I would say: she's solid, with mostly swift tempi, without adding the 'bonuses' that can make interpretations special. Her choice of instruments is solid, too. Quite logical choices, but indeed no unknown gems.