Search - Bach, Germani :: Fernando Germani Plays Bach at Organ Laurenskerk

Fernando Germani had a distinguished career as one of Europe's leading organists and teachers. These 1959-1960 recordings are in monophonic sound, but the sonics are clear, full of body and presence, and the performances are outstanding. Some aspects of Germani's playing, such as a tendency to foursquare rhythm and narrow dynamics, will seem dated to fans of today's light, speedy style, but overall, his forward-moving interpretations, emphasizing articulation and clarity of contrapuntal lines, are timeless. The organ of the Laurenskerk in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, is a Flentrop restoration of a 17th-century instrument and it sounds gorgeous. The more modest, short Sweelinck and Bull pieces are played on the church's small organ, and they're lovely works not often heard these days. The big Bach Preludes and Fugues (BWV 541, 543, 544, and 547) are given emotionally satisfying readings that never lapse into heaviness, while the shorter pieces are done to perfection. --Dan Davis