Search - J.S. Bach, Richter :: Organ Recital

The best Toccata and Fugue in D minor on disc

Ko Unoki | Fujisawa Japan | 10/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the hundreds of recordings of the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, the 1954 Decca recording of Karl Richter playing this piece at the Victoria Hall organ in Geneva is my undisputable favorite. ALthough the sound quality cannot be considered top rate (the recording was one of the first stereo recordings by Decca), Richter conveys the full drama of the piece and builds up a climax that is absolutely astounding. The other pieces on this disc are also well played, although at times there seems to be a quirkiness to the tempo in the Passacaglia and the Fantasy and Fugue in G minor. The choice of stops by Richter is inventive and although he plays at a leisurely pace compared to more recent performers, the construction of the music is superlatively conveyed without any distraction and hint of boredom"