Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Music

Chronique

Barbara Harbach is well known as a composer, editor, researcher, and educator, and her numerous recordings of harpsichord and organ repertoire have established her as a major interpreter of 18th century keyboard music. These recordings of some of the most celebrated organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach were originally released on Gasparo Records, though this 2015 reissue on MSR Classics is a digitally remastered CD that offers enhanced sound for Harbach's exquisite performances. The Prelude and Fugue in E flat major, "St. Anne," BWV 552, the Toccata and Fugue in F major, BWV 540, and the chorale prelude An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653, were performed on the Fisk organ in the Downtown Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York, while the Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 546, the chorale prelude O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß, BWV 622, the Fantasy and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542, and the Prelude and Fugue in E minor, "Wedge," BWV 548, were recorded at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lyons, New York, with Harbach performing on the Schlicker organ. Yet the sound of the album overall is even and quite clear, and the change of venue makes little difference in the audio quality, except for a slightly brighter sound of the Schlicker. Harbach's execution is meticulous and rhythmically alert, so the freshness of her interpretations is matched by her impeccable presentation, making this a superb Bach album by any standard.

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