J.S. Bach on the Organ

[Elk]

A little late to the party here. I did a brief comparison of the 14 versions I have: Rawsthorne's Chalfont, Rogg's HM, Fox x 2, Walcha, David Goode, James Kibbie, Pierre Bardon, Rubsam's Naxos, Richter's Decca, Hurford's Decca, Murray at Methuen, Kee, and Biggs. I also listened to the Kraft online.
There are many I like: Biggs, Kee, Murray, and Rawsthorne. Easily, the best recorded is the Murray, sounding perfectly natural with oustandingly even and extended bass. The old Chalfort recording in Liverpool Cathedral is my preference for performance. It is Very exciting and well recorded, particularly for LP. It has the distinction amongst my LPs of having 8 Hz recorded. 582 requires the whole of one side! Marred only by the 40 to 60 Hz range which is too loud.

[prémont]

I agree that Murray is well recorded at Methuen but I don't find much of interest in his performance.

As far as I recall Rawsthorne plays on the 100 years old romantic Willis organ - which may be the reason why I found it unsatisfying.

Except for Fox, whom I consider a showman, I think the others you mention are very worthwhile. Richter's Victoria Hall recording from 1956 is fascinating because of its slow steady pulse and the way he builds up the climax. Rübsam's Naxos recording is as far as I recall even slower but contains very much energy. My own favorite, if I am only allowed to mention one, is probably Koopman's recording on Archiv.

[Elk]

I enjoyed the Koopman more than expected. I often find his performances over the top though there are really good ones like his Handel Organ Concertos. However, the recording is rather hot and a little hard to take at concert volume. I guess the judicious use of a treble control would help (it's buried under many menus in my AVR), but perhaps, the fault lies in the upload to Spotify.

[prémont]

I enjoyed the Koopman more than expected. I often find his performances over the top though there are really good ones like his Handel Organ Concertos. However, the recording is rather hot and a little hard to take at concert volume. I guess the judicious use of a treble control would help (it's buried under many menus in my AVR), but perhaps, the fault lies in the upload to Spotify.

I suppose he plays BWV 582 all through on combined HW / RP plenum. This results of course in a forceful sound. There are no problems with this on my HIFI system, so the problem may , as you write, be Spotify.