Customer Reviews

The Biggs Bach Book

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

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.

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.

For those of my generation, E. Power Biggs was one of the best classical organists around. Biggs wasn't the 'entertainer' like Virgil Fox to whom has a habit of making his music fade and increase loud and fade and back and forth like that-- However, for a more classical offering of J. S. Bach; I prefer E. Power Biggs. "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" being my favorite as soon as I heard it play over the old Philco Black and White television as a little girl by the Morman Tabernacle Choir's organist--E. Power Biggs' published work exceeded what I heard on TV.

Although Mr. Biggs has been dead for ages--his music helps bring Bach to life.

E. Power Biggs is one of the greatest organists of all time. I recommend this album.

A delightful joyous and unusual organ CD. A style of playing `precisely' different from Virgil Fox's `Encores' and `Great Protestant Hymns' but this adds to listening enjoyment. E. Power Biggs rendition of `Now Thank We All Our God - from Cantata No. 79' might be preferred to Virgil's recording, it is equally as good in my opinion.

This selection deserves a place in any serious organ lover's collection. The `brilliant' little tunes from Magdalena's `Little Music Book' are pure gems.