The Biggs Bach Book

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Composer), Christian Pezold (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Johann Adolf Hasse (Composer), Georg Philipp Telemann (Composer), Johannes Cruger (Composer), Johann Michael Bach (Composer), Helmuth Kolbe (Conductor), E. Power Biggs (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: E. Power Biggs
• Conductor: Helmuth Kolbe
• Composer: Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Christian Pezold, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Adolf Hasse, Georg Philipp Telemann, et al.
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000024X5
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,686 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To be listened to again and again, March 15, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Biggs Bach Book (Audio CD)

This was my first classical album which, years later, I purchased again when it was available on CD. Many of the pieces will be familiar to those who love traditional church music, but of course, Biggs is not a regular church organist. The pieces are so precisely planned and presented that they have both an addictive quality and a beautiful simplicity.

The chorale prelude on "A Mighty Fortress" does not work well on just any organ (it requires a 16' reed on one manual) but it is wonderful here. Even the simple selections from the Anna Magdalena Bach book are exciting on this CD.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful portraits of Bach, the timeless genius., May 24, 2000

By 

"rockerford" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Biggs Bach Book (Audio CD)

E. Power Biggs is the only recorded organist with which I am familiar, but I have thoroughly enjoyed his interpretations of Bach.

His version of the Anna Magdalena notebook is delightful, and the chorales are performed in such a way that they are both sonically powerful and emotionally moving. The "Sheep may safely graze" is deep, yet charming.

Finally, what a beautiful piece is found in "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," which closes this disc. It is played simply, but it always manages to be profound as well.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PIECES FROM THE NOTEBOOK OF ANNA MAGDALENA BACH..., January 15, 2006

By 

Sébastien Melmoth (Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Biggs Bach Book (Audio CD)

These are classic recordings from the 1970s. At that time, Biggs--along with Glenn Gould--was really on the cutting edge of the vanguard of Bach interpreters. The highlights of this fine disc are the charming realizations of the little gems from the Anna Magdalena Notebook.