Customer Reviews

Bach: Organ Chorales from the Leipzig Manuscript, Vol. 1

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

 

 

The organ used in this recording, the Taylor and Boody at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., is a superb instrument. Even if the playing were not good, it would be worth the (incredibly low) price of this Naxos disc just to have the sound of the instrument. But the playing is excellent: Rübsam approaches the music with particular care to articulation. He gives phrases plenty of breathing room rather than eliding everything into one legato soup, as was the practice before the movement for historical performance practice happily shifted our perspective. The registrations offer good variety and show off the considerable tonal resources of the instrument. The sound quality is very clear and the reverberation of the chapel gives a lovely envelope of softness to the tone of the flute stops in particular. Rübsam has recorded the remainder of the Leipzig Ms. pieces on the same organ for Volume 2 of this set. Both volumes are superb, and together they cost less than one would pay for a single recording on a spendier label. Yet again, thank you Naxos!

I totally agree with the previous reviewer. This is a stunning set. There is nothing more to say. Buy it, while you still can, and listen to it.