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 Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Complete Organ Works - Volume 4 - Orgelbuchlein (I)
Preludium und Fuge in G minor/g Moll, BWV535
Non komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV599
Gott, durch deine Güte, (oder) Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV600
Herr Christ, der ein'ge Gottes Sohn, BWV601
Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV602
Canzona in D minor/d Moll, BWV588
Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV603
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV604
Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV605
Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV606
Vom Himmel hoch kam der Engel Schaar, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV607
In dulci Jubilo, BWV608
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV609
Jesu, meine Freude, BWV610
Christum wir sollen loben schon, Choral in Alto, BWV611
Wir Christenleut haben jetzund Freud, BWV612
Helft mir Gotts Güte preisen, BWV613
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV614
In dir ist Freude, BWV615
Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV616
Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV617
Alla breve in D major/D Dur, BWV589
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, Choral in Canone alla Quinta, BWV618
Christe, du Lamm Gottes, in Canone alla Dueodecima a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV619
Christus, der uns selig macht, Choral in Canone all'Ottava, BWV620
Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund, BWV621
O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde gross, a 2 Clav. et Pedale, BWV622
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, dass du für uns gestorben bist, BWV623
Hilf Gott, dass mir's gelinge, a 2 Clav. et Pedale (Choral in Canone alla Quinta), BWV624
Preludium und Fuge in A minor/a Moll, BWV551
Ewald Kooiman, organ
Rec: No date specified, Grote Kerk, Nijkerk, Netherlands.
CORONATA COR 1513 [76.12]
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AVAILABILITY

CONTACT DETAILS: KM-Records, Postbus 239, NL-2130 AE Hoofddorp

Ewald Kooiman was born in 1938, and is a well-known scholar-performer of organ music. As an editor, he has published more than forty volumes of organ music, ranging from the 17th century to the 19th century. As a performer, he has made some fifty recordings, including a complete set of Bach’s organ works.

This fourth volume from the set includes the first part of the Orgelbuchlein, a collection of organ chorales, interspersed with several miscellaneous works. The Orgelbuchlein is a popular collection of works, based on sacred hymns. Each one is short (most are less than two minutes long), and they were intended purely for sacred functions.

Kooiman gives an interesting reading of these works, played here on a very attractive organ originally built in the mid-18th century. The instrument is rich in the louder sections, but very delicate in the more subtle pieces. The chorales in this set are not intended to be massive, imposing works, even though some of them are played with strong registrations. It is essential that the organ used be capable of displaying the texture of these four-part pieces, and not drown out the individual voices. Kooiman succeeds in maintaining this clarity of voice while using the many colours of the organ. His tempi are never very rapid - in any case, there is not a great deal of margin when playing chorales, since the tempo must allow people to sing the words to the hymns.

The "miscellaneous" works Kooiman has chosen as "filler" for this disc are excellent. The Canzona in D minor, BWV 588, is a haunting work, and the registration Kooiman has chosen is especially appropriate to its almost dark tone. The first section, low and slow, resounds fully in the church, and the second part, higher, rings out with great clarity.

This first part of the Orgelbuchlein is performed with great taste, and the organ used has an excellent sound. Kooiman’s registrations are subtle and attractive, and he provides a strong sound without overpowering the listener. This disc is a fine continuation of his complete recording of Bach’s organ works.

Kirk McElhearn


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