The Five Organ Concertos are all based on works connected with
Prince Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar. Three of the pieces are
also linked with Vivaldi. Bach was given the task of transcribing
all five pieces for the organ to enable them to be performed
more often. Bach put his own touch on all of them. The organ
used to perform them here was originally built by Silbermann
in 1761 but has had significant attention in the 1800s and 1900s.
The main choruses remain those installed by Silbermann but there
are several additions which make it more versatile for recent
compositions. The first sound of the whole recording is dominated
by the 16’ “Bombarde” which was added in 1961.
This stop is used quite frequently and is really rather unpleasant.
It doesn’t balance the rest of the sound at all and speaks
very slowly so often sounds late. It totally ruins each movement
in which it appears. This would be more forgivable it there
was no alternative but there is an 8’ Trompette on the
pedal as well and this is never heard in place of the 16’.
The disappointment is deepened by the fact that the playing
is very dynamic. The acoustics are generous but clarity of articulation
never gets lost even in virtuosic runs. The balance of the rest
of the instrument is excellent and the solo sound with orchestral
effect is pleasing. A particular high-light is the first movement
of the A minor concerto - no 16’ pedal reeds to interrupt
the lovely sparkly mixture and the crisp and clean articulation.
Disc 2 offers far move variety of registration due to the nature
of the music. The first piece, the chorale partita on Sopra
Sei Gegrusset Jesu Gutig showcases the very best of this
instrument. The performance isn’t dissimilar to that by
Hans Fagius which was re-released on CD in 2003 - and is also
available to listen to on YouTube. The carefully judged tempo
and placing of cadences is very like that of Fagius. Allein
Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr BWV715has a return appearance
of the 16’ pedal reed but the context is much more favourable.
It is one sound in the texture rather than holding its own contrapuntal
line and does work. By far the best track on either CD is Liebster
Jesu Wir Sind Hier which displays the beautiful mutation
stops and some very poised and emotional phrasing.
Overall, this disc is a very good recording of a pretty good
instrument. The playing is very fine in many places, however
the registration choice isn’t always spot on.
Hannah Parry-Ridout
Track listing
Concerto in G Major BWV592 [7:43]
Concerto in C Major BWV594 [19:23]
Concerto in A Minor BW593 [7:44]
Concerto in C Major BWV595 [4:18]
Concerto in D Minor BWV596 [11:16]
Partite Diverse Sopra Sei Gegrusset Jesu Gutig BWV768
[21:44]
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr Manualiter BWV717 [3:22]
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr Bicinium BWV711 [3:12]
Allein Gott In Der Hoh Sei Ehr BWV715 [2:00]
Nun Freut Euch Lieben Christen Gmein Manualiter BWV734
[2:16]
Erbarm Dich Mein O Herre Gott Manualiter BWV721 [5:42]
Christ Lag In Todesbanden BWV718 [5:26]
Liebster Jesu Wir Sind Hier BWV731 [2:24]
Fantasia Super Christ Lag In Todesbanden Manualiter BWV695
[3:15]
Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen BWV727 [2:29]
Fantasi A Super Jesu Meine Freude Manualiter BWV713 [4:14]
Herr Jesu Christ Dich Zu Uns Wend BWV709 [3:03]
Herr Jesu Christ Dich Zu Uns Wend BWV726 [1:18]
Valet Will Ich Dir Geben BWV736 [3:56]
Fantasia Super Valet Will Ich Dir Geben BWV735 [c4:04]
Fuga Sopra Il Magnificat BWV733 [4:51]
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Kare Nordstoga (organ) 