J.S. Bach on the Organ

[Dancing Divertimentian]

My gringing box, despite what is said about 19 cd's, holds only 15. Must be a later release with the same cover, when they decided to take 4 discs out.

The original issue of the first 15 CDs was in 3 CDs jewelboxes. I own four of these.
Two (Clavierübung 0 and the one with Alain) of the four other CDs (19 minus 15) were released individually. I do not know about the rest, but probably they were released individually too.

Cheers Harry & premont!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Oh, and for bragging-purposes I am showing off Vernet's signature on my box, which I got after a concert of his at the Wiener Konzerthaus.

Nice!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Would you please post the link to the note in English? Thank you.

Landed today. The first thing of note is the beautiful presentation, with the outer box much more hardy and stylish than the dull Amazon image conveys, with a slip-off top. 

The second thing of note is the colorful insides, with the sleeves color-coordinated in rainbow-like shades of the red/purple/blue spectrum.

The third thing of note is the French-only booklet, though thankfully the notes are available in English on the Ligia website.

The fourth thing of note is how physically shaken I was by the jaw-dropping beauty of the music. Not to mention the organ (Gérald Guillemin, Chavagnes, 1988) is a stunner, with Vernet lightening it up for all the music's worth. As disc 1 came to a close (all 65 minutes of it) I was very nearly in a state of euphoric overload.

The fifth thing of note is my box also includes that coupon for the free organ concertos set. However, it remains to be seen if Ligia will deliver to the US. Crossing my fingers.

(The sixth thing of note is I will be tipping my hat to Jeffrey Smith for now until time ends )

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Would you please post the link to the note in English? Thank you.

Sorry, I made an error...Ligia has no website as far as I can tell. To get the notes in English it's necessary to email them: ligia-digital@sfr.fr.

[GioCar]

Sorry, I made an error...Ligia has no website as far as I can tell. To get the notes in English it's necessary to email them: ligia-digital@sfr.fr.

Well, I wan trying to get the notes as well, and I've actually found the Ligia website http://www.ligiadigital.com/ but no notes in it.
So thank you for the email address 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Well, I wan trying to get the notes as well, and I've actually found the Ligia website http://www.ligiadigital.com/ but no notes in it.
So thank you for the email address 

Nice find! I looked all over and couldn't find their website at all.  

[Mr. Minnow]

Has anyone managed to get the English notes for the Vernet reissue from Ligia? I bought the set recently and e-mailed them but never received a reply.

[Mr. Minnow]

I'd be interested in opinions on Weinberger's CPO set. Reviews of both the complete set and individual volumes seem to be very mixed indeed, both in terms of sound and performance quality. I know it's supposed to be ultra-complete, but the cheapest price I can find is 50 euros plus postage from JPC, so I wouldn't buy it for that alone. Do the high points outweigh the lows?

[Parsifal]

I like it generally. Some pieces come off well, some less so. I don't know of any set where I like everything. I thing Weinberger's strength is clarity, rather than august sonorities.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Has anyone managed to get the English notes for the Vernet reissue from Ligia? I bought the set recently and e-mailed them but never received a reply.

For myself, I haven't made an attempt yet, but I have another set already so I haven't exactly worked up the enthusiasm to try. Also, since I don't speak/write French, if I eventually do make the attempt I'll have to rely on Google Translate. I wonder how well that will go over.

[Harry]

I'd be interested in opinions on Weinberger's CPO set. Reviews of both the complete set and individual volumes seem to be very mixed indeed, both in terms of sound and performance quality. I know it's supposed to be ultra-complete, but the cheapest price I can find is 50 euros plus postage from JPC, so I wouldn't buy it for that alone. Do the high points outweigh the lows?

I have listen to the Weinberger set thrice in the last two years and I can honestly say that the majority of it is a virtual delight. Hardly no moments of unease. It is a balanced feat between the spiritual and intellectual. Organs are all fantastic, and the sound is never any less than perfect. You may look at the reviews on my blog. Just type in Bach and Weinberger edition and you'll find the lot.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I'd be interested in opinions on Weinberger's CPO set. Reviews of both the complete set and individual volumes seem to be very mixed indeed, both in terms of sound and performance quality. I know it's supposed to be ultra-complete, but the cheapest price I can find is 50 euros plus postage from JPC, so I wouldn't buy it for that alone. Do the high points outweigh the lows?

If you put it like that: YES! Certainly. In fact, I don't think there are a lot of lows -- if any. It's just that some of the highs are not that high. It's never really sexy, in my mind, but when I opt for a CD from that box among all the others on the shelf, I'm never disappointed, after all and -- much like Harry -- delighted, instead.

[prémont]

If you put it like that: YES! Certainly. In fact, I don't think there are a lot of lows -- if any. It's just that some of the highs are not that high. It's never really sexy, in my mind, but when I opt for a CD from that box among all the others on the shelf, I'm never disappointed, after all and -- much like Harry -- delighted, instead.

Actually I think his playing can be very virile.

[Parsifal]

Who could imagine a universe in which people argue whether performance of Bach organ music is sexy or virile?

[prémont]

Who could imagine a universe in which people argue whether performance of Bach organ music is sexy or virile?

I often see the word "virile" used about recordings or rather interpretations, but this is the first time I have seen the word "sexy" used, and I find it disproportionate in relation to music, and this caused my reaction above.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I often see the word "virile" used about recordings or rather interpretations, but this is the first time I have seen the word "sexy" used, and I find it disproportionate in relation to music, and this caused my reaction above.

Well, I guess by "sexy" I mean in good part how I feel about it, in anticipation. I think of Richter's Bach as "sexy" -- ditto some of Alain's II and Rübsam I. I suppose an idea of lushness... even (horror: catholicism) comes into play. With Weinberger, Stockmeier et al, I don't have that feeling. But I understand your hesitating, coming across what is admittedly a sloppy description.

[prémont]

Well, I guess by "sexy" I mean in good part how I feel about it, in anticipation. I think of Richter's Bach as "sexy" -- ditto some of Alain's II and Rübsam I. I suppose an idea of lushness... even (horror: catholicism) comes into play. With Weinberger, Stockmeier et al, I don't have that feeling. But I understand your hesitating, coming across what is admittedly a sloppy description.

Concerning Rübsam I and Richter this is very much what I would - and did - call virile. More politically correct I would probably say energetic.

[Marc]

Who could imagine a universe in which people argue whether performance of Bach organ music is sexy or virile?

For that, I only have to close my eyes...

[...]
I'm still busy travelling on my organ quest. Maybe I'll turn into some kind of a Lancelot .... and who knows what fair maid is waiting for me!

Let's dream on: entering the Oude Kerk in Delft, and listening to Scarlett Johansson (dressed as Griet from the movie Girl with a pearl earring) playing Bach on the organ.

[prémont]

For that, I only have to close my eyes...

So it would be frustrating for you, if the performance in question was a real eye-opener?

[Karl Henning]

(* chortle *)