1 Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
2 Concerto in A minor, BWV 593 (after Vivaldi)
From Orgelbüchlein
3 Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
4 In dulci jubilo, BWV 608
5 In dir ist Freude (Fantasia), BWV 615
6 O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß, BWV 622
7 Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625
8 Dies sind die heil’gen Zehn Gebot’, BWV 635
9 Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636
10 Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637
11 Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
12 Prelude (Fantasia) & Fugue in G minor, BWV 542
13 Trio Sonata in E flat, BWV 525
14 Prelude (Toccata) & Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 “Dorian”
15 Trio in G, BWV 1027a
CD 2
1 Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582
From Choräle “Die Achtzehn” (“The Eighteen” Chorale Preludes)
2 An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653
3 Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654
4 Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
5 Fugue in B minor, BWV 579 (after a theme of Corelli)
From Schübler Choräle (Schübler Chorale Preludes)
6 Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
7 Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650
8 Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C major, BWV 564
9 Erbarm’ dich mein, o Herre Gott, BWV 721
10 Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 730
11 Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731
12 Prelude & Fugue in E flat, BWV 552
A very strong intro to this generous compilation of almost 2.5 hours of organ music is to be found in the inevitable opening notes of the world’s most famous Toccata — the one in D minor.
Also featured on this issue are the Fantasy in G minor with its exceptionally bold chromatism and the famous “Dorian” Prelude & Fugue. The set ends with the very last Prelude & Fugue Bach wrote, the one in E flat, BWV 552, perhaps his greatest too.
Apart these majestical Toccatas, Preludes and Fugues you’ll find some charming Trios, a selection of popular Chorales taken from various sets, the amazing Passacaglia and the well-known Concerto in A minor, based on the one by Vivaldi.
All the works are played wonderfully by Wolfgang Rübsam, who recorded the complete organ works for Philips in 1977. The recording sounds remarkably clear, which is a welcome addition for this type of music. (The complete organ works are available on 16 CDs on 456 080-2 at budget price.)
More than 155 minutes of music on two CDs for the price of only one Top price CD.
‘The D minor Toccata sounds as fresh as the day it first took off’
Gramophone