Customer Reviews

Bach - Greatest Organ Works, Vol. 2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As big fan of Volume I, this second DVD was even as rich. The 5.1 Dolby on my HTS places that Trost-Organ right in my living room. Herr Stamm's technical abilities and interpretive tempos are superior. The video is almost an extra here as you can view the immense and complex baroque organ produce the sounds that live for centuries. The audio is just simply awesome. My preference is to leave the 'music analysis' subtitle 'on' so that visually I learn something historical and interesting about each piece. A full 86 minutes of grandeur, the performance is punctuated with Fanatasia g minor BWV 542/1 that for me has never been performed better. As a baroque junky, music lover, and HTS fan, I can only hope that Volume III is soon on its way!! Hans-Andre Stamm playing J.S. Bach in exactly the method and venue for which is was written. It doesn't get any better for home listening.

Hans-Andre Stamm and Pioneer have given us another great DVD of
Bach's Organ music in a very well chosen recital I can once again only hope that there will be more volumes to come! I think my favorite work on this recital is "This is the Day of Rejoicing" ("Der Tag der ist so fredenreich") BWV 605 from the
"Orgelbuchlein".

Mr. Stamm's playing is very good, and is consistent with current thinking on historical performance practices. Also, the audio and video quality of this DVD is top-notch.

The use of multiple cameras keeps things visually interesting. My only suggestion for future volumes is to include more frequent video of intricate pedal passages and less video of the organ's facade. (Hands and feet are where the visual interest in organ performance is found, and both should be featured prominently.) The camera looking down on the keydesk from above provides an excellent view and could be used much more frequently.

The extra features are also outstanding. Musical analysis and registrations are invaluable. This is a classical music DVD done right.

Hopefully we'll see more organ DVDs in the future, including different organs and different composers.

I bought the sets one right after the other and I was just thrilled that there is a classical organ DVD with great sound and picture. This organ is probably the most ornate console I've ever seen and being an amateur organist, I was wowed by its crystal clarity for the Bach Pieces that Herr Stamm plays. Interestingly enough, I had just bought a subwoofer for my home theater system and when I played the Toccata and Fugue in Dm, when the D pedal came into play....boy did my house rumble. IT WAS AWESOME! Good thing the wife was out doing errands that afternoon!!

My only critique, and its not a negative in any way, would be that I would enjoy hearing more "popular and well known" organ pieces by the organ-meister Bach such as: Jigue Fugue (BWV 577), Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Sinfonia Contata #29, Come Sweet Death, etc... Maybe we can expect that to come on DVD's # 3, 4 and other future ones I would love to see made.

I hope other classical organ recording artists are taking heed on this and are planning some of their own DVD/Video recordings with this type of media. The DTS is spectacular as well. Seems to add a new depth and dimension of bass for the pedals.

There is very little that I can add to other reviewers. In short, this is thoroughly satisfying recording. Even with a low-end 5.1 surround system, in a little room (I do have a stock sub-woofer AND a separetely amplified huge one), with slightly upgraded speakers all around, this sounds quite spatious and wholly enveloping. There is a little bit of breathing space, but that only adds to the quality of actually being there! If you have the set-up, it's worth every buck. An organ is no joke as an instrument... And this is one of the premier organs out there. The performer is obviously proficient, but has a preference for tempo, which you might or might not like. But graceful performance is at the forefront here!

Read the review for vol. 1 It goes for this one to. They are both awesome. Please keep me inform when Vol. 3,4 & 5 are comeing out!!

I am waiting for them !

Maybe they good start a series of different organs of Europe.

Also the producers could start a series on famous "Violins"

Strads, Guarneri, and other makers of the violin and cello instruments. Just an idea.

LeRoy Weber