J.S. Bach on the Organ

[bioluminescentsquid]

Entirely agreed, I have to say that I find Halubek to be very hit or miss. I appreciate him recording on more unknown (generally central German) organs but haven't found the recordings to be very nuanced or interesting.

I take this back, enjoyed his trio sonatas and concerti recording today. There is a place for the jolly and secular after all

[prémont]

The works here are mostly some of Bach's youthful, some will say less interesting, organ works. Nordstoga captures well the improvisatory and energetic character of the works - except for a somewhat lame BWV 535 - and the organ is well recorded even if it's heard better in some other recordings. In the Pastorale however I find his choice of very high sounding stops in the two middle movements unsatisfying. But this is not a CD I shall return to that often.

[AnotherSpin]

The works here are mostly some of Bach's youthful, some will say less interesting, organ works. Nordstoga captures well the improvisatory and energetic character of the works - except for a somewhat lame BWV 535 - and the organ is well recorded even if it's heard better in some other recordings. In the Pastorale however I find his choice of very high sounding stops in the two middle movements unsatisfying. But this is not a CD I shall return to that often.

Oddly enough, it was BWV 535 (first movement) that grabbed me the most. I even went back and replayed it a few times. Then I got curious, checked out a few other versions for comparison, and eventually circled back to Nordstoga's take. But by then, the magic had sort of slipped away. Probably just my inexperienced ears still trying to make sense of organ Bach

[atardecer]

Exploring Bach's organ music lately, I've been listening to Bach for more than a decade and a half and I still discover new gems. BWV 537 is one such work and has become one of my favorites by Bach. I've been listening to Hans Fagius, open to any other listening suggestions or thoughts on this work.

[Selig]

BWV 537 is one such work and has become one of my favorites by Bach. I've been listening to Hans Fagius, open to any other listening suggestions or thoughts on this work.

A 537 that made an impression on me is Felix Friedrich on the Trost organ in Altenburg, recommended in the original post of this thread.

[prémont]

A 537 that made an impression on me is Felix Friedrich on the Trost organ in Altenburg, recommended in the original post of this thread.

For obvious reasons I second this recommendation. The CD may be OOP as a physical disc, but it may be had as a lossless download from Presto Classical in the shape of the original Berlin Classics twofer (with an excellent Bach-CD by Matthias Eisenberg).

[Mandryka]

https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/46/000179964.pdf
https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/11/000209211.pdf

I'm wondering if Suzuki's Leipzig Chorales are the Leipzig Chorales I've always wanted. Contemplative and introspective, fluid, they seem to communicate spirituality and rapture. The Groningen Schnittger is pretty well recorded with the bass not too unruly - he can control the beast!

[Elk]

With regards to 537 (the mention of which by BWV number had its opening playing in my head), led me to listen to the CDs I have of it, starting with the Friedrich. The clear winner, both in stereo and multichannel, was Kooiman on Aeolus with an excitement that is infectious in the fugue, followed surprisingly by a free download of James Kibbie, equally infectious. Christopher Herrick came next, followed by Friedrich, and finally, Peter Hurford, whose small church and somewhat dated sound hurt.

[Mandryka]

BWV 654, after listening to Suzuki and Gester -- such a shame that the Matter isn't in better sound.

We all know how hard it is to bring off the early chorales in the Leipzing set -- Matter may just about succeed.

[Mandryka]

https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/46/000179964.pdf
https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/11/000209211.pdf

I'm wondering if Suzuki's Leipzig Chorales are the Leipzig Chorales I've always wanted.

No they're not.

Out of frustration and disappointment I've returned to the stalwart Chorzempa.

[prémont]

We all know how hard it is to bring off the early chorales in the Leipzig set -- Matter may just about succeed.

No matter, if they can't be acquired outside the Netherlands.

[Que]

What about?

[bioluminescentsquid]

No they're not.

Suzuki's Bach recordings have somehow never done it for me. I'm not sure why, I enjoy his Buxtehude.

[prémont]

Suzuki's Bach recordings have somehow never done it for me. I'm not sure why, I enjoy his Buxtehude.

What about his harpsichord recordings?

[bioluminescentsquid]

What about his harpsichord recordings?

They haven't caught my attention much either.

[AnotherSpin]

No they're not.

Out of frustration and disappointment I've returned to the stalwart Chorzempa.

What is amiss with Suzuki? I must admit, I've long had a rather complicated relationship with his art myself. For years, I've been drawn to his ideas and projects, there's an undeniable brilliance to them. And yet, of late, something seems not quite right. There's perfection, yes, but perhaps too much of it; a certain absence of warmth, or something else I can't quite put my finger on. What's your take on it?

[Harry]

What is amiss with Suzuki? I must admit, I've long had a rather complicated relationship with his art myself. For years, I've been drawn to his ideas and projects, there's an undeniable brilliance to them. And yet, of late, something seems not quite right. There's perfection, yes, but perhaps too much of it; a certain absence of warmth, or something else I can't quite put my finger on. What's your take on it?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Suzuki's Bach....it's a question of taste, that's all. My taste is 100% in favour of him, he is one of the best interpreter's of Bach's organ music. Your ears and sensitivities are the measure for liking it or not.

[Mandryka]

What is amiss with Suzuki? I must admit, I've long had a rather complicated relationship with his art myself. For years, I've been drawn to his ideas and projects, there's an undeniable brilliance to them. And yet, of late, something seems not quite right. There's perfection, yes, but perhaps too much of it; a certain absence of warmth, or something else I can't quite put my finger on. What's your take on it?

Nothing is really amiss with Suzuki, @Harry 's right. Also when I made that comment that I was focussing on BWV 653.

There's also a sound quality question - the organ has a big fat bass and Suzuki rightly uses it. It's hard to record (what do you think of the sound quality in vol. 6 @Harry? Is it truthful?) and it doesn't exactly fit into a domestic living room.

(By the way, if you're getting into this and want the Bert Matter recordings, let me know. I think they're magnificent.)

[AnotherSpin]

Nothing is really amiss with Suzuki, @Harry 's right. Also when I made that comment that I was focussing on BWV 653.

There's also a sound quality question - the organ has a big fat bass and Suzuki rightly uses it. It's hard to record (what do you think of the sound quality in vol. 6 @Harry? Is it truthful?) and it doesn't exactly fit into a domestic living room.

(By the way, if you're getting into this and want the Bert Matter recordings, let me know. I think they're magnificent.)

Yes, please

[Harry]

Nothing is really amiss with Suzuki, @Harry 's right. Also when I made that comment that I was focussing on BWV 653.

There's also a sound quality question - the organ has a big fat bass and Suzuki rightly uses it. It's hard to record (what do you think of the sound quality in vol. 6 @Harry? Is it truthful?) and it doesn't exactly fit into a domestic living room.

(By the way, if you're getting into this and want the Bert Matter recordings, let me know. I think they're magnificent.)

It fits, if one keeps the volume at a reasonable level, in my listening room (20 square meters) it keeps steady at a very high level. But the windows shake, I admit so much.