UPDATED 07/17/2008

FEATURED INSTRUMENT CONCERT   If you enjoy this concert, please donate by clicking on the button to the left! Bosch-Schnitger Organ, Vollenhove/Overijssel (1686/1720) - Samples by Prof. Helmut Maier Bach, Johann Sebastian: Prelude & Fugue ("St. Anne") in Eb Major, BWV 552 These two pieces constitute the beginning and ending of Bach's Die Klavierübung, Part III. The prelude utilizes three major textures: the first grand and stately; the second coy, almost childish; the third is like a rolling wave, starting small but eventually threatening to encompass everything in its path, but it finally reverts to the first texture. The fugue is based on the hymn tune known as "St. Anne," and also has three major sections, the first (Allebreve or cut time) based on the chorale, the second (with a time signature of 6/4) of a gentle rolling nature, and the third (in 12/8 time) introduces a dancelike characteristic rhythm which is punctuated with glimpses of the hymn tune, which finally emerges triumphantly in the pedal at the end. They are a towering monument amidst Bach's already impressive array of organ masterpieces. [15:55] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Fugue in G Major "Gigue", BWV 577 Crisp and bright and fast, this is Bach at his jolliest! The Fugue is basically played on the Rugpositief which couples the Hoofdwerk above, except for echoes on the Hoofdwerk alone and a short middle section with uncoupled manuals. Fancy footwork in the Pedaal presumably gave this fugue its nickname. [3:30] (a=420 Hz) Midi file available. HW2>3 Bach, Johann Sebastian: Fugue in C minor, BWV 562c The Fugue has been convincingly completed by Zoltán Göncz. You can read his analysis and see a chart of the themes as he developed them here or access the score. The registration: Starts on Rugpositief Holpijp 8' + Prestant 4' + Nassat 3' + Octaaf 2' with Pedaal Subbas 16' + Prestant 8' + Octaaf 4', moves to Hoofwerk Prestant 8' + Octaaf 4' + Octaaf 2' + Mistuur 2-4 Sterck. When the hands resume playing on the RP, the Nassat has been withdrawn and the HW-Rp coupler engaged. When the PD again plays, the Prestant 8' has been replaced by the Holfluit 8' and the Trombone 8' has been added. For the last Organ Point the Trombone has been replaced withh the Bazuin 16'. [5:11] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3 Gigout, Eugène: Cantilène No. 12 of 12 Pieces for Organ, it is indeed an "instrumental passage of sustained lyricism." A bit of a novelty really, since the piece was written for three manuals with expression. Gabler Temperament. [3:15] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3.1 Krebs, Johann Ludwig: Trio in Em, Br II:30 A major work in 3 movements: 1) Andante, heavily ornamented and elegaic in the best Krebs fashion; 2) Allegro, the first two measures of whose jaunty theme is a direct quote from the third movement of Bach's Trio Sonata No. 1 (BWV 525); a florid transition marked Adagio leads to 3) Allabreve which uses ornamentation in a bolder way than movement 1. [14:30] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3 Walther, Johann Gottfried: Preludio con Fuga A-Dur The Prelude begins with a Pedal cadenza, continues with manual arpeggios, and pits a strongly ornamented soprano line against emphatic chords, with an almost seamless segue to the Fugue, whose subject incorporates the first 5 notes of the familiar "St. Anne" hymn tune. [5:4] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3 Zachau, Friedrich Wilhelm: Jesu, meine Freude (Variationen) Chorale (figured bass realized by James Pressler) and 12 variations. [16:35] (a=420 Hz) HW2>3