| Individual Works: | J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750):
- Fantasia & Fugue in a, BWV 904
Anthoni van Noordt (d. 1675):
- Psalm 24 (3 verses)
Georg Bohm (1661-1733):
- "Aus Tiefer Not"
- "Freu dich sehr"
- Prelude, Fugue & Postlude
Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707):
- Canzonetta in G, BuxWV 712
- Ciacona in e, BuxWV 160
- Praeludium in E, BuxWV 142
Johann Christophe Altnickol (1719-1759):
- Ricercar in C
Gottfried August Homilius (1714-1785):
- "Sei lob und Ehr"
- "O grosser Gott"
- "Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ"
Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713-1780):
- Toccata & Fugue in a |
| Comments: | Willem Van Galen said:
A subtitle for this CD might well have been "Bach's influences and influence". For even though the program contains just one of Bach's own works, all other works illustrate either some influence on him, or his influence on others. Graham Barber's own concise and illuminating notes clearly explain the "Bach connection" for each of the other composers.
To my ears, Graham Barber has achieved near-perfection here. The way he handles the Muller organ makes it hard to imagine how it can sound any more beautiful. The program he constructed is intriguing because (i) it contains a mix of frequently and less-frequently encountered works, (ii) each work on the program is somehow related to Bach, and (iii) the single Bach work it contains is usually not considered to be for organ at all! Even though Bach's Fantasia & Fugue in a is classified as a "clavier" (e.g., harpsichord) work, Graham Barber sees "no intrinsic reason not to play the piece on the organ." This results in a magnificent rendition that shows composer, organ and organist to be of the highest calibre, and their convergence here an occasion of excellence. There is much to savour in the remainder of the program, partly due to the differences, in nature and style, between the works played, but also because of the particular variety of registrations used.
The recording quality is, as far as I'm concerned, beyond reproach, too. Wonderfully transparent, and with the right perspective, it ensures that the organ's sound is projected quite realistically throughout. |
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