Search - Bach :: Pieces For Organ

A "Gem" That Shouldn't Be Overlooked

A. Craig | 01/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Thomaskirche organ, built and installed in 1967 by the Alexander Schuke company, was recorded (originally for Columbia Masterworks as KM30648) so well that although the church's reverberation has a pronounced influence, the sounds of the organ itself are still heard with great clarity. The music's movement back and forth from one division (keyboard) of the organ to another is noticeable. One can also hear the timbres or the individual characteristics of several of the instrument's stops, even when used in combination with others, especially in the Passacaglia. E. Power Biggs shows a lot of variety with the registrations he's chosen, and they, along with his phrasings, enable the listener to easily hear and follow all of the themes and voices that make up each composition. His interpretations of these pieces, which are some of Bach's finest for the organ, are convincing ... and very musical. And the strong sense of rhythm that Biggs' playing incorporates will have your foot tapping right along with this CD. A fine recording (no matter which company has released it)!"