J.S. Bach on the Organ

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

There is a Polish organist, who is not on the list. His name starts with G.
How does Margaret Phillips sound like?

[JBS]

Calm down, I have them all (and more to) except the two sets I have opted out (Guillou and Tillmanns).

BTW I think Stockmeier's set is good indeed. As Mandryka writes very relaxing. It's well worth $50.

But that's my point. My musical focus is not on organ works in the way yours is. Yet I've accumulated 10 sets.

I remember you not liking Gillou: but what was your problem with Tillmanns?

[JBS]

Here from Amazon.de Market Place the original release of all 20 CDs for less than 8 Euros. I don't know if they deliver overseas though:

https://www.amazon.de/Das-Orgelwerk-CD-Set-Wolfgang-Stockmeier/dp/B000025U7V

It says US delivery is available from AmazonDE itself, but for about €26 including shipping.

ETA and that is the lowest price. Did someone grab a copy since you posted?

[prémont]

But that's my point. My musical focus is not on organ works in the way yours is. Yet I've accumulated 10 sets.

I remember you not liking Gillou: but what was your problem with Tillmanns?

Organ music isn't but one of my foci.

My dislike for Guillou is caused by his extremely eccentric playing.
My dislike for Tillmanns is caused by the fact that I feel that he hasn't immersed himself sufficiently into the spiritual facet of the music. His playing is moderately technically competent and sound often as sight-reading.

[prémont]

There is a Polish organist, who is not on the list. His name starts with G.

There was also a russian organist whose name I also have forgotten. I think they are difficult to get hold of now. I listened to a number of clips from both and the playing stroke me as representing a demonstrative craftmanship without soul. Add to this some monstrous generic organs.

How does Margaret Phillips sound like?

She is competent, informed, and the organs are interesting and well recorded. Not the most inspired playing but much better than Tillmanns'. However not a must have.

[prémont]

It says US delivery is available from AmazonDE itself, but for about €26 including shipping.

ETA and that is the lowest price. Did someone grab a copy since you posted?

Not as far as I can see.

[Mandryka]

@premont - did you hear Stockmeier's AoF?

(Very much enjoying his Leipzig Chorales this morning.)

[prémont]

@premont - did you hear Stockmeier's AoF?

This one?


Bach:
Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080
Wolfgang Stockmeier (Organ)
Psallite
1983
2-LP
 

No, I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

[Mandryka]

https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/05/000170550.pdf

The Ahrend organ is fabulous and the sound engineering from Audite is state of the art. The performances from Neu bring some new ideas to these warhorses. It's never just virtuosity, it's always moving poetry. Basically I'm very enthusiastic about this release. Booklet is pretty informative too.

[Selig]

The Neu sounds very promising, thanks!

On a related note here's an interesting interpretation I found recently - Marek Toporowski plays the trio sonatas on a small organ without pedal by Joachim Wagner, joined by harpsichord and viola da gamba:

[Mandryka]

Thanks Marc. I should have guessed, I can see on his website that he is "Organiste titulaire de la Philharmonie de Cologne et de la Basilique de Thierenbach."

It's a fun recording, it's not deep and the organ doesn't have the magic patina of an old one, but he plays with such joy and healthiness and simplicity, frankness,  that it's kind of irresistible! 

Just echoing my comments on Thiery Mechler's CU3, which seem right to me six years later - though maybe "irresistible" is a bit hyperbolic. The sound of the new organ gets a bit dull after a while.

[bioluminescentsquid]

This seems to have been released quietly, somewhat recently. But I am liking it a lot. Not the most articulate, but contemplative and honest playing that I like. Had everything from the charming soft sounds to imposing 32' full organ (unlike Jörg Halubek's recording on the same organ, which I find a little less characterful). Beautiful and agonizingly heavy (as it should be) BWV686.

[Mandryka]

This seems to have been released quietly, somewhat recently. But I am liking it a lot. Not the most articulate, but contemplative and honest playing that I like. Had everything from the charming soft sounds to imposing 32' full organ (unlike Jörg Halubek's recording on the same organ, which I find a little less characterful). Beautiful and agonizingly heavy (as it should be) BWV686.

Well spotted, I'm listening now and it sounds like my sort of music too. The label is one I've not heard of before and their catalogue looks promising. (The Demachy's good!) Same sort of endearingly simple and sweet approach as Chorzempa's Leipzig Chorales maybe.


https://www.spektral-records.de/en/alben/

Anyone got any thoughts about what the pic is on the cover?

[Mandryka]

The Neu sounds very promising, thanks!

On a related note here's an interesting interpretation I found recently - Marek Toporowski plays the trio sonatas on a small organ without pedal by Joachim Wagner, joined by harpsichord and viola da gamba:

Just seen this - will check it soon.

[prémont]

This seems to have been released quietly, somewhat recently. But I am liking it a lot. Not the most articulate, but contemplative and honest playing that I like. Had everything from the charming soft sounds to imposing 32' full organ (unlike Jörg Halubek's recording on the same organ, which I find a little less characterful). Beautiful and agonizingly heavy (as it should be) BWV686.

I nearly bought this a few days ago, but then I considered the 60+ CÜ III recordings I already have. However, now I realize that I need to purchase it.

[bioluminescentsquid]

Anyone got any thoughts about what the pic is on the cover?

An interview with the organist here is leading me down a whole (theology-related) rabbit hole. https://youtu.be/vL2s-oS93mE?feature=shared
But in short, the art is by a certain Jonathan Pageau.

[Selig]

Que, here is my list of some HIP recordings, which are played in HIP style on properly restored Northern or German baroque organs.

[...]

Orgelbüchlein:
Rene Saorgin on French Harmonia Mundi.

So does this instrument (Luxeuil) have German characteristics?

[prémont]

So does this instrument (Luxeuil) have German characteristics?

No, it is a historical French Baroque organ, and I should have mentioned it as an exception from the German organs on the list, especially since Saorgin uses the organ quite coloristically. However, I believe the CD deserves a place among the best Bach recordings on historical organs which are not part of a complete set.

https://ligneorguesremarquables.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LUXEUIL_Composition-16x9-1.pdf

[Mandryka]

So does this instrument (Luxeuil) have German characteristics?

The Saorgin Orgelbuchlein is well worth a listen

[Que]

Que, here is my list of some HIP recordings, which are played in HIP style on properly restored Northern or German baroque organs.

[...]

Orgelbüchlein:
Rene Saorgin on French Harmonia Mundi.

No, it is a historical French Baroque organ, and I should have mentioned it as an exception from the German organs on the list, especially since Saorgin uses the organ quite coloristically. However, I believe the CD deserves a place among the best Bach recordings on historical organs which are not part of a complete set.

https://ligneorguesremarquables.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/LUXEUIL_Composition-16x9-1.pdf

The quote after all these years shows how valuable that post was - thanks again!