Customer Reviews

J.S. Bach: Organ Chorales from the Leipzig Manuscript Vol. 2, BWV 659-667

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This disc, with BWV 659-668 and 769, continues Volume 1 and uses the same organ, the wonderful Taylor and Boody instrument at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. Rübsam's playing is very good. He articulates so that the music opens up and breathes, a welcome change to the "legato or bust" approach. This disc also offers up the Canonic Variations on "Vom Himmel Hoch," a jewel in Bach's oeuvre for organ, and beautifully interpreted here. The organ is not to be missed: its tone is simply ravishing. No need to search out a recording made on an historic European instrument. Taylor and Boody have found the secret and built it into this instrument. At twice the price this disc would be more than worth the cost. In my opinion, not buying both volumes would be one thing and one thing only: just plain silly.

I agree with the previous reviewer's take on this CD. The playing is superb and the organ sounds magnificent. I especially like the first three tracks (BWV 659-661), Bach's three improvisations of "Nun komm der Heiden Heiland". It builds to track 3, a full organ rendition that will make goosebumps appear on the back of your neck. Bach was an organ master, and was the greatest composer that ever lived. I highly recommend this CD. You can't go wrong here! Buy it together with volume 1.

Both CDs are most beautiful. No words are needed. I can't do anything while they are playing - I just stop and listen, catching every note.