Johann Sebastian Bach – Organ Masterpieces
Johann Sebastian Bach’s organ compositions, painstakingly brought to life by Ton Koopman on this Regis compilation, stand as a testament to the enduring genius of this venerated Baroque master. Koopman, a respected stalwart in the world of early music, approaches each piece with a balanced mix of reverence for the original and a subtly modern interpretive finesse.
Traversing Bach’s kaleidoscopic organ oeuvre, Koopman achieves an exquisite interplay between virtuosic technical skill and deeply felt expressivity. His interpretation of the famed Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) is a prime example. Koopman handles the flamboyant flourishes and intricate fugal elements with equal ease, ensuring that the emotional gravity of the piece is never overshadowed by his virtuosity.
On the Great Eighteen Chorales, Koopman’s touch is reverential, but not without a certain intimacy. His meticulous articulation underscores Bach’s ornate lines without obscuring the chorales’ underlying melodic beauty. Similarly, the ‘Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor’ (BWV 582), is given a cogent and dramatically compelling reading. Its complex layers are woven with seamless authority, creating a compelling narrative that draws the listener into Bach’s grand musical design.
Yet, it is perhaps in the quieter moments of Bach’s organ repertoire where Koopman truly excels. Works such as The Canonic Variations on “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her” (BWV 769) are rendered with a poignant delicacy that gradually reveals each layer of Bach’s ingenious contrapuntal design.
That said, this compilation may have benefited from more detailed liner notes. Information about the specific organs used for the recordings, or the context in which the pieces were composed, would greatly enhance our appreciation of these performances.
Nevertheless, this 2-disc set stands as a worthwhile addition to any early music enthusiast’s collection. With Koopman at the helm, Bach’s organ masterpieces are illuminated in fresh and captivating ways, reinforcing the timeless brilliance of this Baroque genius.
In conclusion, this ambitious project by Ton Koopman is successful in exhibiting Bach’s unparalleled craft in writing mesmerizing organ music. With this endeavor, Koopman firmly establishes himself as an insightful and deeply sensitive interpreter of Bach’s sublime organ repertoire.
