UPDATED 04/10/2008

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FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT
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    Richard Rensch Orgelbau, St. Michael Neckargartach (1993) -
    Samples by Gernot Wurst
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Concerto in A minor (after Vivaldi), BWV 593Download
    Bach's transcription of a violin concerto in three movements: Allegro - Adagio - Allegro. The first movement was one of the few pieces I actually memorized, and often began recitals with it to "relax." There are a few extra ornaments added to prevent boredom (mine). Registration - Allegro (HW Lieblich Gedackt 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2' + Mix; SW Rohrflöte 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Principal 2' + Quinta 1 1/3'; PD Subbass 16' + Gedacktbass 8' + Choralbass 4' + Piiffaro II [Pifaro and Choralbass withdrawn for balance occasionally] ); Adagio (HW Lieblich Gedackt 8'; SW Oboe 8 alternating with a partial cornet (SW Rohrflöte 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Nasard 2 2/3' + Terz 1 3/5'), both with Tremulant); Allegro (HW Principal 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2' + Mix; SW Rohrflöte 8' + Salicional 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Nasard 2 2/3' + Principal 2' + Quinta 1 1/3'; PD Subbass 16' + Octavbass 8' + Choralbass 4' + Piffaro II [Piffaro withdrawn and Octavbass replaced with Gedacktbass 8' to balance antiphonal sections].) Near the end, the Octave 1' is added to the HW, and at the very end, the Bourdon 16'. High bandwidth version available here. [10:56] HW1
    Buxtehude, Dietrich: Gott der Vater wohn uns bei, BuxWV 190Download View Lyrics
    Rather playful ornamentation and syncopation in the chorale at times, played on full Swell with sturdy accompaniment from HW Principal 8' + Octave 4 and PD Subbass 16' + Octavebass 8'. [2:18] HW1
    Buxtehude, Dietrich: Praeludium in F Major, BuxWV 144Download
    There are two distinct sections to this prelude, the first on the Hauptwerk uses parallel thirds, syncopations, and brief pedal punctuation; the second, on the Swell, has a natty fugue subject which appears in all four voices; the move back to the Hauptwerk is not structural, it just seemed right to round it off that way. [2:43] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Partita on O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767Download View Lyrics
    A beautful set of variations on a stately and beloved tune. Bach makes many indications of forte and piano, which often means he has written the piece for two-manual harpsichord. But it works quite beautifully on the organ. [13:22] HW1
    Pachelbel, Johann: Nun lob mein Seel den HerrenDownload View Lyrics
    Simple trio with the Chorale, a variant of the modern Doxology, played on the Pedal. The Choral Bass is used at the beginning, and is replaced by the Piffaro (4' + 2') for the repeat, then both sing together to the end. Appropriate sounds are used on each of the manuals to balance. [2:59] HW1
    Buxtehude, Dietrich: Herr Christ der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 191Download View Lyrics
    Buxtehude's chorales don't always need a Cornet sound for the solo. Here the Hauptwerk Principal 8' + 4' Octave soar out over the SW Rohrflöte 8 + Salicional 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Principal 2´ supported by PD Subbass 16' + Octavebass 8'. The recording is made with extremely close miking. [2:0] HW1
    Sweelinck, Jan Pieterszoon: Variations on Ich fuhr mich über RheineDownload
    Six variations on a secular song, with a short coda. Registration: Var. 1 HW Principal 8' + Octave 4'; Var. 2 SW Rohrflöte 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Principal 2'; Var. 3 HW Principal 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2' + Mixture; Var. 4 HW Principal 8'; SW Rohrflöte 8' + Salicional 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Nasard 2 2/3' + Principal 2' + Oboe 8' (used both as solo and in harmony); Var. 5 HW Bourdon 16' + Principal 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2' + Octava 1'; Var. 6 SW Rohrflöte 8' + Salicional 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Nasard 2 2/3'; Coda HW Principal 8' + Lieblich Gedackt 8' + Octave 4' + II/I coupler. [7:43] HW1
    Pachelbel, Johann: Toccata in C minorDownload
    A long series of organ points in the pedal support various textures typical of the baroque, with thirty-second notes prevailing. [2:20] HW1
    Grigny, Nicolas De: TrioDownload
    The third movement of A Solis Ortus (Epiphanie). The top two voices of the trio are played on the Hauptwerk (Principal 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2') and the bottom voice is played on the Schwellwerk (Rohrflöte 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Nasard 2 2/3' + Principal 2' + Terz 1 3/5' + Oboe 8'). Impulse reverberation has been added. [2:4] HW1
    Bach, Johann Sebastian: Trio Sonata No. 3, BWV 527Download
    One of the most popular of the 6 Trios. The bouncy Andante (HW: Principal 8' + Octave 4'; SW Rohrflöte 8' + Salicional 8' + Blockflöte 4' + Principal 2' + Quinte 1 1/3'; PD Subbass 16 + Gedacktbass 8' + Choralebass 4') modulates frequently and alternates with a second melody in easily recognizable sections. The lyrical Adagio e dolce (HW: Principal 8; SW Oboe 8' + Salicional 8'; PD Gedacktbass 8'; Repeats HW Lieblich Gedackt 8'; SW Rohrflöte 8' + Nasard 2 2/3' + Tremulant) makes full use of suspensions and is repeated with totally different registrations. A bold and pointedly rhythmic theme forms the first subject of the Vivace (HW Principal 8' + Octave 4' + Doublette 2' + Mixture; SW All except Oboe 8'; PD Subbass 16' + Octavebass 8' + Gedacktbass 8') followed by a series of triplets which later accompany the first theme, together modulating merrily through many keys until D minor is reached again for the repeat of the entire first section. [13:50] HW1