Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wo soll ich fliehen hin BWV 646
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten BWV 647
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Meine Seele erhebet der Herrn BWV 648
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Ach bleib' bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 649
Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter BWV 650
Helmut Walcha was the great German organist of the '50s and '60s. He recorded the more of less complete Bach organ works twice for DG, once in mono and then again in stereo. This sampler disc of both cycles (mostly in st... more »ereo) represents his sober but intensely musical style at its very best. Walcha was not one to draw attention to his physical infirmities, but the fact that he was blind really does seem to give some of his performances an extra spiritual dimension. His complete stereo cycle has been reissued, but not in the United States, so grab this while you can. --David Hurwitz« less
Helmut Walcha was the great German organist of the '50s and '60s. He recorded the more of less complete Bach organ works twice for DG, once in mono and then again in stereo. This sampler disc of both cycles (mostly in stereo) represents his sober but intensely musical style at its very best. Walcha was not one to draw attention to his physical infirmities, but the fact that he was blind really does seem to give some of his performances an extra spiritual dimension. His complete stereo cycle has been reissued, but not in the United States, so grab this while you can. --David Hurwitz
CD Reviews
If you love Bach Organworks......
James J Taratunio | Massapequa Park, New York | 04/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...then you MUST add this recording to your collection. I have been enthralled with the Toccata and Fugue in D minor since my childhood. I majored in Music in college and reviewed the many recordings of this work through the vast music library in my university. No other artist, other than Helmut Walcha, has been able to capture the dramaticism and romanticism of this haunting masterpiece of organ music. His interpretations are breathtaking and throughout the piece, from disonances to resolutions, he has you perched on the edge of your seat. I have listened to Richter, to Biggs and to Fox. They have not been able to bring the life to this piece that Helmut Walcha has taken from his soul and poured onto the registers of the magnificent instrument he plays, the pipe organ, the King of Instruments. I personally have seven recordings of this piece within various media. I started in college over 25 years ago by specially ordering the Archiv recording from Germany. I have since added several cassettes and finally a few CD's recently, all of which contain, among other pieces, the Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Do not deprive yourself of this unique recording of perfection. Again, if you love Bach Organworks, you MUST have this recording for your collection...or your collection will be sorely incomplete. I invite you to feast, enjoy and share it with those you love who appreciate good music."
"Bach organ music luckily has some great performers : Karl Richter , Albert Schweitzer , Edward Power Briggs and Helmut Walcha .
The intense chromatism and the whole commitment of Walcha makes of his Tocatta and Fugue in D minor one of the most remarkable versions I have heard . After you listen it you can consider he was a true pupil of the Leizpig court . His sound is so fresh and idiomatic , but filled with conviction . He never will dissapoint you .
And forget his special condition. Walcha was a supreme master of Bach."
Same Experience - Different Continents
A Bach listener | Del Mar, CA USA | 05/29/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is in response to the music fan from Saanichton, B.C., Canada: I was surprised to read about you having grown to love Helmut Walcha playing Bach by having listened to a boxed record set from your dad as a child. Same for me. My dad owned the DG/Archiv set of records. I grew up in th vicinity of Hamburg/Germany in the early 70s and was glued to the record player. Bach's organ works played by Helmut Walcha had an almost hypnotising effect on me and they still have to this day. The typical harmonial, almost mathematical variations of Bach's organ works in their sheer complexity are astounding to any new and seasoned listener. In my opinion, the organ works in this CD particularly illustrate why Bach was compared to the mathematician Godel and the famous artist Escher: "Godel, Escher, Bach : An Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas R. Hofstadter (Paperback - January 1999)."
Solo Bach Gloria
A Bach listener | 09/20/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Walcha excels all other interpreters of Bach's organ music. This sampler has both familiar works such as the Toccata and Fugue in d-minor as well as one of two of the rarely heard but spectacular Chorale-Partitas. I love the flying theme of the second Schubler Chorale. Marvel at the production by a single performer of all the music contained in the Trio Sonata no. 1. You must immerse yourself in the Lutheran musical idiom to truely enjoy this music: do it!"
BACH IS UNSURPASSABLE
Brucknerian2006 | florida, USA | 06/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd introduced me to some of Bach's amazing organ works. I used to believe organ music was not really worth hearing, HOW wrong was I! This cd contains some of Bach's finest music. First off in my opinion Bach is the pinnacle of pure art/architectural music. His constructions are beyond words, and represent the totality of musical beauty and perfectness of form.
This organ music can be monumental and powerful, and also sublime, peaceful and with a great sense of the individual. The organ is a truly marvelous instrument, capable of a singing quality and also capable of loud/strong orchestral-like sonority.
If you have never heard Bach's organ compositions or organ music in general GET THIS ALBUM.
Walcha's playing is superb, and one gets a sense that he really knows and loves the music.
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1