Customer Reviews

Bach: The Works for Organ, Vol. 9

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Perhaps nothing surpasses the music of J. S. Bach in terms of being able to be enjoyed at different levels (e.g., the "sensuous," "expressive" and "sheerly musical" planes, to use Aaron Copland's terms). And probably nothing in Bach's music is deeper and richer in this regard than the Clavier-Ubung III that fills the bulk of these two discs (although the Goldberg Variations and The Art of Fugue are equally profound). I have purchased most of Kevin Bowyer's discs in this series and am pleased to report this volume is every bit up to his usual standards of excellence. This is music that truly rewards deep study so it can be fully appreciated at all levels. The liner notes are useful but all too brief. (What this music needs is a big, thick, detailed pamphlet in a box with the CD case, or a even a separate book to go with it.) Also, the writer of the liner notes is, regrettably, a good deal less informed about Christian theology than about the music of Bach, and there is some theological nonsense to be waded through. I can't wait to obtain and compare the recording of Clavier-Ubung III by Masaaki Suzuki, founder of the deservedly respected Bach Collegium Japan. I expect Suzuki's and Bowyer's renditions will make for some interesting comparisons, and Suzuki -- a devout and theologically astute Christian -- usually makes available extensive notes when he records and releases a new CD (Suzuki's *lectures* -- not to mention his performances -- in Japan are usually sold out). Only problem: as of this writing, Suzuki's rendition is not listed in Amazon's catalog; let us hope that will be rectified quickly! In any case, get this CD by Bowyer, and then make the effort to find out what's "under the hood" making this piece tick. Your efforts will be amply rewarded.

I'd consider BWV 582 and 904 among Bach's "greatest hits," and the Concerto in G (after Vivaldi) is delightful; these three pieces come after 2 CDs of the third part of the Clavier-Ubung, nice little short pieces for organ. Much to discover and delight here. Again, Bowyer's playing is a revelation, despite the "unsettling rubato" detected by our reviewer above. Highly recommended.