Peter Hurford Playing Organs of Bach's Time, Vol. 2 Main Performer or Conductor: Peter Hurford Accompaniment/Orchestra: Schnitger/Ahrend Organ of the Ludgerikirche, Norden, Germany Instrumentation: Organ Individual Works: Concerto No. 5 in d, BWV 596 "Vater unser im Himmelreich", BWV 737 Aria in F, BWV 587 "Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich", BWV 719 Triosonata No. 5 in C, BWV 529 "Nun danket alle Gott", BWV 657 "Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier", BWV 731 "Valet wil ich dir geben", BWV 735 "Nun freut euch", BWV 734 Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C, BWV 564 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: EMI Eminence Catalog Number: 7243 5 65398 2 2 (budget price) Year Released/Recorded: 1993 Total Playing Time: 65'46" Comments: Many of the recordings of the famous Schnitger/Ahrend organ with which I'm familiar seem to be characterized by a frequent choice of rather weighty sounding registrations, which stands in the way of listening to an entire program in one sitting. Peter Hurford's preference is for lighter registrations that often highlight individual stops (it's a pity the booklet doesn't list the registrations), using "organo pleno" where appropriate (e.g., "Der Tag...", Toccata in C [that's right, the corresponding Fugue is played with an attractive light registration]). To my ears, this presents the organ in a slightly more favourable light. The works are delivered confidently: the faster ones lively and never dull (if I have any qualms about this recording at all, it is that occasionally fast passages seem to veer towards the mechanical), the slower ones with an appropriate degree of thoughtfulness (more than I recall from earlier recordings by Peter Hurford). The program is a veritable cross-section of Bach's organ works, and all the more interesting because of it. The recorded sound is excellent. Since this and the preceding volume appeared in 1994, no subsequent ones seem to have been issued. Regretful, since the idea of hearing Peter Hurford (who is not typically identified with "authentic performance practice", but whose "20th century" approach to playing Bach's organ works has done much to add to their popularity) play more or less "authentic" organs of Bach's time is sure to interest a great many organ enthusiasts. (DDD) Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: Willem Van Galen Date First Submitted: 02/14/1997 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.

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